It’s not often that Welsh rugby – a sporting landscape so often dominated by off-field carnage – finds itself in the enviable position of looking at its opponent and rightly saying the problems lie elsewhere.
But while the countdown is now on before Warren Gatland’s side face Australia in a crunch time. world Cup During Sunday’s clash, it was Eddie Jones’ Wallabies who had all the problems.
Gatland’s “band of brothers” have a perfect 10 points in their first two matches in France and, apart from a few bumps and bruises, no serious injuries. The Six Nations chaos is over.
Australia, meanwhile, lost their two best attackers, captain Will Skelton and prop Taniela Tupou, for the match in Lyon which they must win after their defeat against Fiji.
“They are like a band of brothers and have been since we met at the end of May,” Wales attack coach Alex King said of Gatland’s team. “It’s a huge match, let’s not hide it.
Wales head coach Warren Gatland (above) has banished chaos from the Six Nations
“Tournament rugby is about winning. »
Indeed, it is.
A victory for Wales would send them to the quarter-finals and, if not mathematically, virtually send Australia home.
Such a scenario would represent an abject humiliation for Jones and his Wallabies.
Australia changed their training schedule for the week on Tuesday following a physical defeat to Fiji. The Wallabies had no scheduled media access.
But that didn’t stop Jones appearing on a sponsored podcast with the Evening Standard in which he commented on Gatland’s approach.
“Warren did a great job,” Jones said. “He makes them play this Wazza-ball – a very distinctive game, solid and defensive, with high kicks. They play a lot against (Dan) Biggar who is always a very good player.
Unlike Australia, what Wales have done in France so far is a victory.
Gatland’s squad began preparation for Australia on Tuesday at their training base in Versailles, a suburb of Paris. Wales hope forwards Tommy Reffell and Henry Thomas will be fit for this weekend after suffering calf and hamstring problems respectively.
Gatland’s ‘band of brothers’ have a perfect 10 points in their first two World Cup matches
Reffell came off late in Portugal’s 28-8 victory. He trained separately in Wales’ main group alongside Jac Morgan and Nicky Smith with a focus on upper body conditioning. It was neither a surprise nor a concern that co-captain Morgan rested his legs.
He was man of the match and played the full 80 minutes against Portugal as a late replacement for Reffell after doing fitness and weight training sessions on the morning of the match as he was not expected to be involved at all in the 23. Morgan will likely captain the team against Australia. Prop Thomas trained but full-back Leigh Halfpenny was absent.
“He’s nursing a small leg injury and he’s being evaluated,” King said of Reffell. “We will know more in the coming days. Leigh is the same. A lot of guys have their own personal schedule a day or two after games, depending on their needs.
“Gatland and Jones are no strangers to each other. Australia were physically blown away by Fiji in their 22-15 Pool C defeat.
Wales, who are extremely well conditioned, will surely have taken note. The injuries to Skelton and Tupou are extremely significant given that they deprive Jones of his two most powerful attackers. Former Saracen Skelton brings huge ballast to the lock.
Indeed, with Australia lacking power ahead of this weekend, Jones admitted he will need to think about new tactical approaches to get the better of his old adversary Gatland.
Of Australia, King added: “They are a good team and a good coach. It’s a proud team.
“They will be a little sore after the weekend. We understand that for them it’s more do or die.
Australia on brink of World Cup exit after shock defeat to Fiji in Saint-Etienne on Sunday
Wallabies head coach Eddie Jones has accepted responsibility following Sunday’s disastrous defeat to Fiji.
” On Gatland, King said: “I played under him at Wasps and we played some big European games. This is his fifth World Cup. He knows when to push players and coaches and when to back off. He is a very experienced coach and it is great for us to have him on board. Warren has been there and done that, whether it’s European Cups, Six Nations tours or the Lions.
“In general, things are going well. I’m glad he’s in our camp.
“Elsewhere, hosts France have named a team close to first choice for their third round clash against minnows Namibia in Marseille on Thursday.
Blues head coach Fabien Galthie saw his second string struggle to get past Uruguay and recalled his big guns, including captain Antoine Dupont, as well as center and prop Jonathan Danty and Cyril Baille. Key forward Gregory Alldritt is rested.