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The Wallabies got their Rugby World Cup campaign off to a slowish start, earning a 28-13 win over Fiji at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff.
No doubt the big talking point, however, will be the fact Australia failed to earn a four-try bonus point as pool rivals England managed to do five days earlier.
Australia now sit on four points on the Rugby World Cup ladder, one behind England and Wales, who both managed an extra point in their first matches.
WALLABIES DIY PLAYER RATINGS VS FIJI
A David Pocock double in the first half set the tone for the Wallabies, but they managed only one more try in the second half, which by Australia’s standards so far in 2015 was relatively lackluster.
Man of the match Pocock crossed twice from the rolling maul within a four-minute period, diving over the stripe after holding the ball at the back of the rumble.
It was a play that saw the flanker become the Brumbies’ top try scorer in Super Rugby this year, and it has carried over to the national side.
The Wallabies took their time to get into the match, earning the first points with a penalty goal after some early pressure.
Fiji hit back, getting a well-deserved scrum penalty to go with some big runs through their forwards, culminating in them tying things up with a three-pointer of their own.
Australia struck when given their chance, though, with Pocock scoring the first try of the match from a lineout close to the line.
Aside from a couple of threatening runs from Israel Folau, it was the first time Australia had looked promising in attack in the match.
They took advantage again through Pocock less than five minutes later, after impressive prop Campese Ma’afu had been given ten minutes in the bin for a professional foul.
A missed conversion from Bernard Foley, and the result was a 15-3 lead into half time for Australia.
That was extended to 19 points early in the second half after a try to Sekope Kepu early in the second 40 minutes. It was the best build-up of the day from the Australians, who after several bustling runs gave it to the big man close to the line, and he duly strode over.
A Nemani Nadolo sliced the lead to 16 points, and after a period of indifferent play from Australia, Fiji took advantage.
With Australia seemingly more interested in blowing up at the referee about a missed infringement from referee Glenn Jackson, Fiji flyhalf Ben Volavola put a dummy and a step on Rob Simmons in the backline, beat the covering defence and crossed the stripe.
Suddenly it was game on, at 25-13 and Fiji pressing.
The heat was being applied in the mid stages of the second half, and the Australian lineout began to show signs of struggling when Rob Simmons left the field.
Australia lost three in a row, including several baffling throws from the skipper Stephen Moore.
This coupled with some poor handling, and some rusty link play. Australia never really managed to build any momentum in the second half.
Will Genia, too, seemed largely content to utilise the box kick rather than keep the football in hand.
With 12 minutes left on the clock and 25-13 still on the scoreboard, Australia made the decision to kick for goal rather than press for a bonus-point try by kicking for the line.
Bernard Foley made no mistake, but it was a telling decision after all the pressure Fiji had applied at set piece and in general play.
A yellow card to Tevita Kuridrani for repeated infringement at the ruck didn’t help the Australian quest for a fourth try and a bonus point, and it was eventually snuffed out by some poor handling in their final attack on the Fijian line.
Fiji fought very hard, and were physical up front. Their forward were excellent throughout the match, and their scrum, lineout and maul proved assets.
The Wallabies will be happy with their scrummaging performance, but disappointed they couldn’t put the game away with a more complete performance.
Plenty to work on for Australia in what was a good first hitout for the men in gold. It’s certainly not bad news, but it wasn’t the comprehensive showing Australian fans may have hoped for.
Australian captain Stephen Moore didn’t seem too concerned about the lack of a bonus point, however, saying that the Wallabies were just content with the victory over the impressive Fijians.
Michael Cheika echoed his captain, saying, perhaps tongue in cheek, that he didn’t even know about the bonus point system in the World Cup.
What did you make of the game Roarers? What was your take?
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.