Aussies Set For Changes After Ireland Defeat

Coming off the back of their surprise Pool C defeat at the hands of Ireland last week, the Wallabies have promised massive changes ahead of their next group match. These will start with the promotion of half-back Will Genia to captain with James Horwill being rested – but the biggest amendment will be the manner in which they go about their business for the duration of the tournament.

Genia immediately hosted a press conference to put the loss against Ireland firmly in the past, as well as reiterating his side’s belief that they remain genuine contenders for the title of world champions, something the Rugby World Cup betting reflects. That loss at Eden Park on the weekend now means that Australia will most likely have to negotiate the knock-out stages of the competition the hard way, starting with a quarter-final match against defending champions and runaway Pool D leaders South Africa – but the Queensland Reds scrum-half remained upbeat about his side’s chances of going all the way in the tournament so long as they learned some lessons from their most recent defeat.

Citing the last two World Cup winners as examples of teams that mastered the art of “winning ugly”, he admitted that a more conservative approach would be Australia’s best chance of securing glory.

“We’ve changed our focus. We still want to play and have a crack, but have to be a lot smarter with our decisions in terms of field position. It revolves around playing field position, and then if the opportunities present itself to play off the back of that,” Genia said.

Against Ireland, Australia were keen to keep the ball alive and run from deep, whereas Kidney’s men kept the Wallabies on the back foot with a stringent kicking game, and then dominated the breakdowns with aggressive and efficient rucking. Those following the rugby union betting will have been impressed by the display. This guaranteed field position from which Australia could not affect the scoreboard in any meaningful way, as well as ensuring quick ball which led to a multitude of kickable penalties and drop-goal opportunities for Sexton and O’Gara to capitalise on.

Pretty rugby is ideal of course, but it is no substitute for points on the board – and now that Australia have identified this, they really do have the personnel at their disposal to go all the way.