LET’S GET THIS PARTY STARTED
Heroes paint the town red
WARREN GATLAND gave Wales the green light to party after they edged Australia in a Tokyo thriller. Dragons boss Gatland saw his team make it two wins from two in Japan with a crucial victory over their bogey side that leaves them in total control of their World Cup destiny.
With games against Fiji and Uruguay to come, Wales are now virtually certain to finish top of Pool D and move into the opposite half of the knockout stage draw to England and reigning champions New Zealand. Gatland said: “I said to the boys I would like to see them celebrate. It was a tough game and a great win. They deserve to pat each other on the back and say well done. The pool is in our own hands.”
It was a remarkable match, entertaining from first minute to last and played at a relentless pace. Gatland’s men produced a fine first half, which began with a Dan Biggar drop-goal after just 36 seconds – the fastest in World Cup history.
Hadleigh Parkes and Gareth Davies added tries before the break.
Scrum-half Davies was man of the match and produced his best display for Wales. Biggar was forced off with a head injury and replaced by Rhys Patchell, who filled in superbly.
Wales led 23-8 at the break, but Australia roared back in the second half. Adam-Ashley Cooper, Dane Haylett-Petty and Michael Hooper scored tries, but it was not enough as Patchell ended the game with 14 points.
Wales’ resilience was summed up by captain Alun Wyn Jones, who made 23 tackles on the day he broke Wales’ cap record with his 130th appearance. Biggar will go through the return-to-play protocols after failing a head injury assessment, but Gatland hailed his replacement Patchell.
“Rhys came on and did a fantastic job for us,” he said.
Australia coach Michael Cheika raged at World Rugby after his centre Samu Kerevi was penalised for leading with his forearm in a clash with Patchell despite both players going high.
“As a former rugby player I am embarrassed about it,” said Cheika. “I don’t know if that is illegal or not. I don’t know the rules any more, honestly.
“Administrators are spooking the refs and referees are afraid of making decisions.”
Kerevi added: “With the way rugby is going and how they police it, I might as well join the NRL next.”
AUSTRALIA: Haylett-Petty 7; Ashley-Cooper 6 (Beale 48, 5), O’Connor 6, Kerevi 8, Koroibete 7; Foley 2 (To’omua 45, 6), Genia 3 (White 53, 5); Sio 5 (Slipper 63,5), Latu 5 (Uelese 66, 5), Alaalatoa 5 (Kepu 63, 5), Rodda 6, Arnold 5 (Coleman 63, 5), Pocock 6, Hooper (capt) 7, Naisarani 6 (Salakaia-Loto 68, 6)
WALES: L Williams 8; North 7, J Davies 7, Parkes 8 (Watkin 70, 6), Adams 6; Biggar 7 (Patchell 28, 8), MOM G Davies 9 (T Williams 70, 7); Wyn Jones 6 (Smith 49,6), Owens 7 (Dee 66, 6), Francis 6 (Lewis 63, 6), Ball 7 (Shingler 63, 7), Alun Wyn Jones (capt) 8, Wainwright 8 (Moriarty 49, 6), Tipuric 8, Navidi 8.