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Flyhalf Bernard Foley knocked out his knockers with a sublime performance in the Wallabies comprehensive 33-13 win over England at Twickenham early this morning.
It’s the first time in eight Rugby World Cups England has failed to reach the quarters.
A shattered England captain Chris Robshaw said, “I apologise to our fans, and my country”.
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But it was all smiles in the Wallaby camp with Foley setting the tone for 80 minutes while breaking a host of individual points-scoring records against England once held by Matt Burke, Dan Carter, and Matt Giteau with 28, that included two tries, three conversions, and four penalties of flawless goal-kicking.
As if that wasn’t enough, Foley’s long cut-out pass to Adam Ashley-Cooper set up Giteau’s try in the corner on full-time.
But the job is far from done.
The Wallabies must beat Wales at Twickenham next Sunday morning to claim top spot in the “Pool of Death” which will earn them an easier passage to the final.
If Wales win, the Wallabies face the daunting prospect of probably playing South Africa in the quarters, and All Blacks in the semis.
No thanks, rather the All Blacks in the final.
But there shouldn’t be any worries against Wales if the Wallaby pack repeats the England dose.
The Wallaby scrum surprised England, the men in gold held their own in the lineouts, while in general play the pack was in control, brilliantly led by David Pocock who is heading for man of the tournament status.
How the Wallabies missed Pocock for two years while he suffered two total knee reconstructions at a time when he was being rated the openside flanker equal of Richie McCaw.
But Pocock has come back even more brilliant than he was three years ago, and in a different position at No 8.
In fact, the current Wallaby backrow of Scott Fardy (6), Michael Hooper (7), and Pocock (8) have established themselves as the tournament leader.
But all the forwards played well, and even when the entire first choice front row of Scott Sio, Stephen Moore, and Sekope Kepu was replaced by James Slipper, Tatafu Polota-Nau, and Greg Holmes in the second half, nothing was lost.
And with locks Kane Douglas and Rob Simmons playing so well with Dean Mumm and Sam Carter on standby, the pack has genuine depth.
That’s a powerful position for Wallaby coach Michael Cheika to be in at the business end of the tournament.
And with Foley calling the shots, and his outside supports responding, the same depth can be said among the backs.
Kurtley Beale came off the bench in the 10th minute to replace the injured Rob Horne and was instrumental in setting up Foley’s two tries.
The more Beale plays the better the Wallabies backline look.
If there’s any criticism about the Wallabies win it’s the halfbacks Will Genia and Nick Phipps.
For some unaccountable reason, Genia copped a dose of Phipps’ aggravating habit of leaving the ball just sitting on the ground waiting to be quickly delivered.
Those lost seconds allow the defence to chop the Wallabies down well behind the advantage line.
Genia also had two box kicks charged down that could have, and should have, been converted into England points.
But Phipps went one worse, with two of his passes to nobody well behind his supports that luckily weren’t turned into England points.
Genia is by far the best bet of the two for Wales and beyond, but he must kick the Phipps habit of leaving the ball waiting to be delivered, and no box kicks.
But when those easily corrected halfback failures are the worst of beating England on their turf and qualifying for the quarters, then Michael Cheika hasn’t too much to worry about.
Except to beat Wales.