Wallabies’ David Pocock watches as Wales’ Stephen Jones is tackled against Australia. AP Photo/Tim Hales
The dream of lifting the Webb Ellis Cup might be over for the Wallabies and Wales but the opportunity to finish the 2011 Rugby World Cup on a high note remains. Join us from 6.30pm AEDT for live scores and an interactive blog of the Bronze Final at Eden Park.
Both sides come into their final match of the tournament after highly contrasting semi-finals; Wales suffered a gut-wrenching defeat when they should have won, while the Wallabies were comprehensively hammered by the All Blacks.
But those games are now consigned to history, and the winner of the match tonight will be the one who can rebound from disappointment and be motivated for a relatively meaningless game.
In the greater context, it is back to the drawing board for Wallabies coach Robbie Deans after yet another resounding defeat to the All Blacks, a side who have exerted considerable dominance over the Wallabies during Deans’ reign.
In the short term however he must attempt to pick his side up off the canvas and the former Crusaders mentor has made a raft of changes from the side who took the field last Sunday.
Injuries have forced out Pat McCabe (shoulder), Sekope Kefu (eye), Dan Vickerman (shoulder, leg, nose) and Stephen Moore (sternum) while Ben Alexander, Anthony Fainga’a and Radike Samo drop to the bench, while Rocky Elsom is left out altogether.
Nathan Sharpe will become the 21st player in history to notch 100 test appearances when he starts at lock tonight, a noteworthy feat for the well-respected Western Force skipper.
Scott Higginbotham makes a rare start at flanker while star fullback Kurtley Beale is back from a hamstring injury, and Berrick Barnes comes in for the injured McCabe at inside centre.
The manner in which the Dragons snatched defeat from the jaws of victory against France last Saturday night will be a bitter pill to swallow for the Welsh for a long, long time.
Warren Gatland has made three changes to the side from last Saturday night, with Ryan Jones, Paul James and Bradley Davies all earning recalls to the starting XV.
Behind the All Blacks, Wales have been the most consistent team of the tournament and in all fairness should be taking their rightful place in the final on Sunday night.
But rugby can be a cruel game and instead they find themselves in the Bronze Final tonight, and it is certain that Gatland will have his side ready to perform at the level they’ve met for six weeks.
His counterpart Robbie Deans has received plenty of criticism over the past few days and a win might just blunt the sharpness of his critics, if only momentarily.
With little pressure on either side, it is hoped from a neutral perspective that both sides will be free to play expansive, running rugby, with plenty of points in an attacking display.
Who will step up to claim 3rd place? Can Quade Cooper finally relax and get back to his Super Rugby form? Or will his nightmare continue as a rampant Welsh avenge last week’s injustice?
Join us from 6.30pm AEDT for live scores and an interactive blog and post your comments on the Bronze Final!
Justin
Guest
You are calling the wrong tune DP - I am a REBEL!
Sprigs
Guest
Jiggles
Roar Guru
Haha probably not p.tah
p.Tah
Guest
Jiggles. Will you ever forgive him?
Colin N
Guest
One, you said 'so many.' Two isn't many. That call didn't cost them a try, he was about to run into a couple of Welsh bodies. Agreed about the Welsh one though.
Jiggles
Roar Guru
How did barnes get MoM?? He was so deep in the pocket he constantly put his outside backs under pressure. It took O'Connor for us to win that game.
Drop kick
Guest
Go back to queensland, oh parochial one. Even when we win you can't get behind 'your' team unless the banjo players call the tune!
p.Tah
Guest
Jaysper, what are tomorrow's lottery numbers?!
p.Tah
Guest
I'm amazed he speaks. Computer must have a grunt translator.
Justin
Guest
Well you just pointed out two pretty big mistakes actually - one cost AUS a try and the other may well have prevented an AUS try. They are big mistakes IMO...
Colin N
Guest
Apart from Hook's pass (which Poite should have called anyway) and the one from O'Connor which was called forward wrongly, I thought Wayne Barnes was excellent. After singing his praises before the tournament, it's the only good game he's had in the competition. I don't see what he did wrong.
Gumboot
Roar Rookie
When Quade went off, the Wallabies won with passion without the razzle dazzel, from a kiwi to an Ocker.....Well done, O'Conner, Barnes and Ashly Cooper man of the match combined. Go the Ockers in Cricket. It just goes to show that the Bokke fans are wrong regarding the Bokke v Wallabie score. Kiwi but Anzac........ next years 4 nations are going to be AWESOME
nath
Guest
Good one aussie shame about the injuries ,cant wait for next years trans tasman battles, go the all blacks
p.Tah
Guest
Sorry, you're right the ABs were the 5th or 8th best team in 2007. England were a much better team than the ABs in 2007 ;)
Justin
Guest
Takes on the line? No one else? You are joking. Did you see how deep he played tonight? Good teams will just take the space all day and he will revert to the boot....
Justin
Guest
Is it? What about tonight in the 1st half when he was literally through the gap and still put it on the toe. I havent seen anything quite so sad or funny (only funny because he was able to regather) for a while... Barnes is a kicker. Ask anyone, its plain to see no matter who he plays for. Why do you think QLD opened up after he left???
p.Tah
Guest
I think the ref is an AFL umpire. As long as the ball is in the player can be 95% out
Elisha Pearce
Expert
I'd kick if I was a Tah too. Gotta play to the plan given if you want to keep your job!!! Seriously though. Barnes kicks a little too much sometimes - yes. But he can run a game. Gives the ball early when he wants to go wide and can take on the line. No one else in our country does that.
GC
Guest
The team that wins the RWC final comes 1st. The team that loses the final comes 2nd. Today's game that Australia won was to decide who comes 3rd. That's how these things called tournaments work.
Seiran
Roar Guru
But the 'kickathon' is coach directed.