Wales beat Ireland by six points in Dublin on the weekend. Since then, many Wallaby fans I’ve since talked to are worried that the man who scored most of the Welsh points – Leigh Halfpenny – could be the difference when Australia plays Wales in the Rugby World Cup.
While Justin Tipuric won the M.O.M award, it was Halfpenny, a man of many talents, who denied Ireland a win when he held up Irish hooker Sean Cronin over the Welsh line.
However, it must be said that Ireland, and referee Craig Joubert, helped Wales to victory when the Irish gave up almost twice as many penalties as the visitors.
It also must be said that when the Wallabies take on the Welsh at Twickenham on Oct 10, they’ll have to discover early in the match how the ref, in this case, Jerome Garces, intends to police the scrums and the breakdowns. Give the man with the golden boot a chance anywhere in your own half and it’s three points in the bank.
These warm up games are damn tough on the players. Dan Biggar was jolted by Rob Kearney after chasing his own kick. Roberts twice received treatment before leaving the field holding his head. Keith Earls left on a stretcher following a collision with George North. Luke Fitzgerald limped off 13 minutes from the end and Alun Wyn Jones was also knocked to the sidelines.
Next weekend, Wales play Italy, Ireland play England, the Wallabies play the US, France plays Scotland and, one day later, Canada plays Fiji. Could be by the time the Rugby World Cup kicks off, several first line guys will have to play through the pain.
Tycoch
Guest
Required tactics = Obey Rugby Laws
Tycoch
Guest
Yes if Australia does not cheat then Halfpenny's kicking becomes irrelevant
Harry Jones
Expert
@PeterK--that is very good news. I hope Australia runs up 45 points on Wales.
If the game comes down to kicking, then yes, Halfpenny is better at goalkicking than any Aussie. But I am sure Australia knows this, and hence they will play the required tactics to score more tries than Wales.
Tycoch
Guest
George Smith was a great rugby player, but his comments about Fiji qualifying are asinine. The last time Ireland lost at home was 2 years ago and that was to the All Blacks. Yes the Wallabies have regularly beaten Wales lately but those games have been extremely close. Of the 3 top teams in Pool A, I am not including Fiji, each of them could win or lose to the other two. I think the RWC organizers royally screwed up in the draw - if the Soccer World Cup can make the draw 6 months in advance why does rugby need 2 years? I think the matches will be close but as the Wallabies discipline is not great, I suspect Halfpenny's boot might be the difference in the Wales game. Against England at Twickenham the Wallabies record is not exactly outstanding. So unlike George Smith I see Australia and Fiji heading home early.
Worlds Biggest
Guest
We all know what a quality player Halfpenny is, player of the series in the Lions win and will kick goals from all over the park. The Wallabies discipline has to be absolutely spot in there own half or it's 3 points. Wales were impressive against Ireland. The big advantage Wales and England have over the Wallabies is a stronger set piece and goal kicking.
PeterK
Roar Guru
What a SA ref in Joubert should have reffed the Boks in a QF?
David
Guest
Having watched Wales Ireland I don't think there is anything that the Wallabies or any other contender would be overly worried about. The game was terrible... typical display of aggression at the breakdown, strong emphasis on set piece and not a single memorable line break (other than a good return from Kearney off one of the many up&unders from Wales). If they do this to Folau he will eat them for breakfast. The Wallabies know the Welsh team are strong in set piece and at the breakdown. They also know if this can be neutralised as has happened during the last 8 or 9 games or however many it is that Australia has won in a row, the Wallabies will be too strong and will win..easily. Yes this is an arrogant post, yes Halfpenny is world class and can kick everything but no, nothing else on offer from the Welsh brought any fear of them in this pool game. Having watched this game I now agree with George Smith and think that Fiji will really give the Welsh a strong run for their money. The Welsh looked absolutely hopeless ball in hand and if not mauling or passing to Roberts to truck it up didn't know what to do other than kick it.
chucked
Guest
Joubert really was needed in the SA Versus AUST Quarter Final in 2011. Not only did Lawrence throw his hands and not penalise one player who was ridiculously breaking the laws, but also called back two tries for borderline (inches) forward passes Aust should be very concerned about POITE against England
Lostintokyo
Guest
One thing is for sure, the Wallabies will not have any problems with Uruguay in their second pool match. I was at Chichibunomiya Stadium in Tokyo on Saturday to see the Blossoms beat Uruguay by 40-0. Japan played some good rugby and scored some good tries as they needed to after the poor way they played against the world side two weeks back. Cheika can use the second pool match to rest many of his top side before they take on England the following Sunday.
Old Bugger
Guest
You'd take a punt that's exactly how Wales would play it.....just to keep the ball away from the WB backline, for starters.
Ok thanks PeterK, good news for OZ then in regards with Joubert, not so much with Poite though.
PeterK
Roar Guru
thankfully Joubert is the ref and will be less tolerant of the slowing down the ball and lying on the wrong side than NH refs.
PeterK
Roar Guru
BB - Australia have Joubert for the Wales game not Garces, Australia do have Poite for the England game though
PeterK
Roar Guru
Tries are even bigger moments
Lostintokyo
Guest
If the Wallabie v Wales pool game turns into a scrum induced penalty shootout, the Wallabies could well be packing their bags. And it is a reasonably big possibility. A few tinnies could be directed at the TV early October.
Gav
Guest
Exactly Kev. Much like the NFL or the Football WC. Field goals in the NFL or penalties in the WC are huge moments and what make these events such amazing spectacles. Phenomenal skill and pressure on one person. As a cats fan I'll never forget Billy Brownless and his match winning goal. -- Comment from The Roar's iPhone app.
taylorman
Roar Guru
However, re everyone else- yes Wales look the banana skin side for Oz in that Pool, in fact the Pool is full of them, everyone potentially slipping over all over the place...Fiji well known for its Bananas :-)
Kevin dustby
Guest
This is why I love rugby. World Cup games decided by the under appreciated art of goal kicking
Mike
Guest
This should mean we are now number 2 in the world. It's been a long time since we were there.