Australia are now in real danger of failing to progress past the Rugby World Cup group stages for the first time in the team’s history, following their shock loss to Fiji on Monday morning.
Coach Eddie Jones is confident the team can still progress to the quarter-finals despite losing a Test to the island for the first time in 69 years, but they now have a much steeper mountain to climb.
The 22-15 defeat leaves Australia languishing behind Wales and Fiji in Pool C, while Georgia and Portugal play on Saturday.
Only the top two teams from each group advance past the group stage of the tournament. Teams can earn a bonus point by scoring four or more tries in a match and by losing by seven or fewer points.
Rob Valetini’s body language spoke volumes after the Wallabies produced a shock performance to fall to Fiji at the World Cup
The Aussies now have a much steeper mountain to climb to avoid dropping out of the Cup for the first time in the group stages (Photo: Wallabies stars react to Fiji loss)
The loss in Fiji means the Wallabies must win their remaining group matches against Wales (September 25) and Portugal (October 2) to progress.
But with Wales beating Fiji in their first pool match, even that might not be enough to guarantee progression to the knockout stages – meaning the Aussies would have to pick up bonus points.
Their best chance of doing this is in four or more tries against low-placed Portugal.
Wales will be a tough test for the team as they are ranked eighth in the world, just one spot below Australia.
To make matters worse, star strikers Will Skelton and Taniela Tupou will miss the match against the Welsh due to injury.
Tate McDermott suffered concussion against Fiji but Jones said he will be fit for the crucial pool match.
Jones remained optimistic about the Wallabies’ chances of reaching the quarter-finals even though the shock defeat has left them no room for error.
The coach remained optimistic about his side’s chances of progressing despite the crushing nature of their loss to Fiji.
“The great thing about a World Cup is that it’s not the end of the road and we’ve got Wales next week so we’ve got to kick some stones tonight, figure out where we can improve quickly and move on,” Jones said. .
‘I have no doubt we will get a response. We had a bit of a setback today, but that’s all part of a World Cup.’
The Australian was awarded an ill-fated total of 18 penalties, with a final scrump penalty after full-time almost costing them a crucial bonus point, only for Fijian Frank Lomani’s kick to sail wide of the posts.
“If you’re not in the foreground it’s quite easy to give away penalties, so I’m not worried about our discipline. I’m worried about not being in the foreground because if you can’t do that, you’re fighting.” Jones said.