Double-teaming flanks work perfectly for Oz
Wallabies content with win against Fiji despite not earning four-try bonus point
FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 25
P2015 LAYING two specialist openside flanks in David Pocock and Michael Hooper in the Australian team is a huge advantage, fellow back-rower Scott Fardy said yesterday.
Pocock, who wore the No 8 jersey, scored two tries from rolling mauls and Hooper put in his usual workaholic performance to help the Wallabies beat Fiji 28-13 in their opening Rugby World Cup match in Pool A on Wednesday.
“They are both top-line players who have played a lot of test footy,” blindside flank Fardy said.
“They are both very experienced and they are both real game-changers, so to have both on the field at the same time is a real positive for us.”
Australia set up two superb driving mauls in the first half which ended up with tries for Pocock.
“It’s a good change-up,” Australia wing Adam Ashley-Cooper said.
“It’s great. To me, being a back, I love seeing that stuff. The forwards taking control at a set-piece. They have taken a lot of pride in that area and been doing a lot of work on that.
“It’s something we haven’t been known for for a while, so to get two tries off the back of some pretty good mauling was great to see.”
Australia started well and scored their third try soon after halftime, but Fiji fought back strongly and the Wallabies were unable to cross the line again, missing out on a bonus point which could prove costly with England and Wales in the group.
“We haven’t really discussed it much,” Fardy said.
“The fact is you just have to win your games, so if you do then bonus points don’t really matter. We are looking to win all our games in the pool and get through.”
“Others look at that and see you didn’t get a bonus point, but Fiji were an incredibly tough opponent – the boys are really feeling it today,” he added.
“We knew how hard it is just to get a win in this tournament so we are happy with the win and look to improve on that performance and not worry about bonus points.
“I don’t think ‘Check’ (coach Michael Cheika) even knew there were bonus points in the tournament.”
Ashley-Cooper was happy with the team’s overall display.
“I thought we did really well to stay disciplined and stay to our shape and just play smart controlled football,” he said.
“It was a shaky start but we did really well to overcome those errors and stay in control of the game.”
Australia next play Uruguay on Sunday.
Wales received an official warning yesterday following a breach of the spirit of the Rugby World Cup terms of participation regarding training.
Players from outside the selected 31-man squad took part in a practice session on Wednesday ahead of the Pool A game against England on Saturday.
“World Rugby is satisfied no deliberate breach was intended, and in addition to the formal warning to the Welsh team, all participating teams have been informed that additional players from the extended national team squad, including potential injury replacements, may not participate in any training sessions,” World Rugby said in a statement.
Wales coach Warren Gatland was mystified by the warning.
“We haven’t broken any rules,” he said. “Apparently we have broken the spirit of the rules. What that means we don’t know. I don’t know what we have done wrong.”
Wales, who have suffered a number of injury problems, have contacted tournament organisers about the possibility of bringing in a front-row replacement after props Paul James and Samson Lee sustained injuries in their opening win over Uruguay.
“We’re waiting to make that call when we need to,” assistant coach Rob Howley said.
“We have already contacted Rugby World Cup and there is special dispensation for front rows which allows us to bring someone in even 24 hours before a game.”
Lee was named yesterday among the Welsh replacements for the England game. – Reuters