Dave Pocock goes in for his first try for the Wallabies (AAP Image/Dave Hunt)
The Wallabies will look to keep pressure on Ireland with a solid win this afternoon when they face Russia in their final match of the pool stage. Join us from the lunchtime kick-off of 12.30pm AEST for live scores and a blog of all the action as it happens.
Australia cruised to a 67-5 win over the USA last Friday night and should do similiar this afternoon, and Robbie Deans will simply be hoping his banged-up outfit do not pick up any more injuries.
Wycliff Palu has already been ruled out of the tournament while there are major concerns over the quarter-final prospects of Anthony Fainga’a, Pat McCabe, Digby Ioane and Rob Horne.
The extent of the backline crisis means that regular backrower Radike Samo will start on the wing, although the return of James O’Connor from a minor hamstring complaint will strengthen the backline.
In the forwards David Pocock, Scott Higginbotham and James Horwill have all recovered from various ailments and they’ll be tested by a Russian pack who has shown they can compete with the better sides.
Coach Nikolay Nerush has named a strong side for the Bears’ final game and he’ll look to skipper Vladislav Korshunov to lead from the front.
In their first Rugby World Cup, Russia has exceeded expectations despite a couple of heavy losses to Italy and Ireland and will be heartened by their progress on the world stage.
Barring a major upset tomorrow, the Wallabies will face the Springboks in Wellington next Sunday and this afternoon is an opportunity to tune up in preparation.
The return of Higginbotham and Pocock is significant, and the Australian pack will get a chance to prepare for what is sure to be a torrid time against the Springboks.
While the backline looks somewhat decimated, it shall be interesting to observe the combination between Quade Cooper and Berrick Barnes, who impressed in his first game back last Friday night.
As a minnow, Russia have not been afforded the same rest as the Wallabies and a heavy schedule should begin to tell in the latter stages of this one.
With a classier, fitter squad the Wallabies should comfortably dispatch of the Bears this afternoon and confidently stride toward the business end of the tournament.
Will it be a walk in the park for the Wallabies? Is Samo going to monster the Russian defence out wide? Join us from the early kick-off time of 12.30pm AEST for live scores and an interactive blog and post your thoughts below as we take in all of the action from the Wallabies’ last pool match in Nelson.
bennalong
Guest
Bryce Lawrence is a disgrace.
DaniE
Guest
Damn you're right hehehe... one more try would have done it
Blinky Bill of Bellingen
Guest
I say thank God for Barnes. Don't these guys understand moderation? Particularly in the wet. That wind-up of Cooper's has been well and truely spotted. Can someone please take him aside & show him the tape and then hit him over the head with a laptop!
Cattledog
Roar Guru
In Lawrences' case, it's all about ME.
Cattledog
Roar Guru
Mate, that's funny. You assume Dean's has a plan. He couldn't plan a picnic with the coaching team he has there. Wonder how many will be at the A/P next Sunday for their return? Be a ghost town I recon.
Cattledog
Roar Guru
Slipper played very well until injured and Faingaa played with plenty of passion in the second half, when all around seemed to be losing grip. Lawrence, however, will hopefully be put out to pasture. I'm sure he's a mate of Deans...
ohtani's jacket
Guest
Looked legit from what I saw.
Worlds Bioggest
Guest
Good first half, not much more they could have done however the Wallabies this year seem only capable of playing 40 minutes of rugby with any structure. Russia were always going to be spirited however allowing them dominate most of the second half was appalling. The Russians third try was incredibly soft and a real worry what the Monster Bok pack will do next week ? Mitchell will be a big loss, he was starting to come back to form. Has anything gone right in this tournament ? JOC didn't look at the races IMO. Bench had mimimal impact which again exposes lack of depth. Sharpe deserves his spot in the 22 ahead of Simmons now surely. Barnes has cemented the Number 12 jumper with Digby and Beale to come back. It's the forwards again the big worry. Once Pocock, Moore and Horwill went off we lost all shape. Why wasn't Samo given the last 20 minutes at Number 8 ? Russia should be very proud of there second half. Dingo not surprisngly didn't look that impressed in the post game interview. Fire up for a change Dingo. If there isn't a major attitude adjustment this week it's another Quarter Final exit on the cards.
p.Tah
Guest
Anyone notice that when things started to go pear shaped the one Wallaby who remained composed and kept working hard was Berrick Barnes. ...and I was transported back to the 2003 SF when Spencer threw to Mortlock when Quade's pass was intercepted by Simplikevich. Quade throws one of them everyone now and then. Hopefully he's got it out of his system!
bokka
Guest
Ahh, the old "rotation/Warriors live on the big screen" policy eh? ;)
Jiggles
Roar Guru
I was pretty annoyed with the first half too, to be honest. With all due respect to the Russians, who have been, as OJ points out, playing great rugby, but this should have been treated as opposed session with emphasis on forward work rates. There is no way they will be rewarded playing wide like that against the boks. There was limited go forward ball generated off forward work around the ruck. I fail to believe our 2nd string players are incapable of doing this against Russia.
ohtani's jacket
Guest
He injured his groin during the captain's run.
p.Tah
Guest
At half time everyone was bemoaning the predicted hammering the Russians were going to cop by full time. Well done Russia. They just kept plugging away. Kept focused (despite their own injuries) and served it up to Australia. I wish the Wallabies had that kind of resolve at times.
bokka
Guest
OJ, I thought Carter was named as captain this morning? what happened to him?
Glenn Condell
Guest
Lawrence appears to be closing on Nigel Owens for the coveted 'I am a big martinet with a tiny dick' award for refs. Put them in a room together where they can blow the pea out of each other's whistles and talk sternly to each other. Then close the door and lock it. There have been more truly awful decisions going against the minnows than the playas, but there has been too much policing and not enough management of games generally. It has been good so far, but could have been better with more flow and less pedantry.
ohtani's jacket
Guest
Carter and McCaw have pulled out of tomorrow's game, so I have a feeling the injuries will keep coming in this WC.
warrenexpatinnz
Roar Guru
Gutting to see and feeling so bad for Drew, I think this knocked some of the blokes for six and took their mind off the game, yes it shouldn't have but I think Drew has been an inspiration for some of the younger players.
ohtani's jacket
Guest
The only thing successful about that game was that there was only one major injury.
warrenexpatinnz
Roar Guru
Didn't look happy did he Jokerman, injuries are hurting his game plan a tad.
warrenexpatinnz
Roar Guru
Jiggles think the guys displayed a game after a break, great for most parts in the first 40m but stuttering and lacking shape in the second half. This was not the first pick team, the "lesser lights" failed to shine, Ma'afu, Simmons, Sai Faianga and Slipper played poorly and contributed a large amount to the drop off in the second half. Back to Bryce; if he isn't taken to task by Paddy for this performance I hope like hell that we don't get him in the finals.