The Wallabies will play Argentina in the semi-finals after edging a brave Scotland. Bernard Foley gave Australia a one-point lead with a penalty kick with one-minute left.
Scotland scored a try from an intercept to take the lead, and from a charge down in the second half to get back in it.
They just wouldn’t lie down.
Australia perhaps took the Scots a little lightly as they were not at their best, as they were against England. But by the skin of their teeth they are still alive!
Final Score:
Australia 35
Scotland 34
Australia and Scotland meet in London with a Rugby World Cup semi-final place on the line. Join The Roar from 2am (AEDT) for lives scores and commentary from Twickenham.
The two countries tangle in a replay of the 2003 World Cup quarter-final. On that day 12 years ago the Wallabies emerged victorious 33-16 in Brisbane. Michael Cheika will be hoping for a repeat.
Australia topped Pool A after wins over Fiji, Uruguya, England and Wales. They thrashed the Poms, grinded out a close victory over the Welsh, and go into the knockout stage full of confidence after four wins on the trot.
More:
>> WALLABIES VS SCOTLAND MATCH REPORT
Scotland reached the quarters after finishing second in their pool, behind South Africa. They were brave but beaten by the Boks, and did enough to get past an improving Japan and a physical Samoa.
Forward Ross Ford and Jonny Gray are both playing after their suspensions were overturned. Along with them Scotland possess several match-winners in the form of scrumhalf Greig Laidlaw, fullback Stuart Hogg and former Crusaders winger Sean Maitland.
The Wallabies are missing injured duo David Pocock and Israel Folau, with Ben McCalman and Kurtley Beale to replace them. Dean Mumm has moved onto the bench, with Rob Simmons starting, while Quade Cooper joins the substitutes.
Australia are deserved favourites, as they are one of the form teams at this tournament and won the Rugby Championship this year. Scotland were poor in this year’s Six Nations but have showed some steel in the World Cup.
Vern Cotter’s team will be out to upset the Wallabies, like they did in 2012 and 2009. They will set out to frustrate Cheika’s men – slow the play down, force them back with kicks, clog the breakdown, use choke tackles, and make the match a grinding contest.
If they can limit Australia’s space in the backline, they are a chance of meeting the winner of Argentina or Ireland in the semi-finals next weekend.
Prediction
Australia by 12 points.
Join The Roar from 2am (AEDT) for all the action.
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RobC
Roar Guru
etienne marais
Guest
So, according to the just-released RWC statement on the issue, you have it exactly the wrong way round. You, learn the Laws! (btw, that's what governs the sport, not "rules")
Fred Nerk
Guest
The rules in rugby are myopic. Don't blame Joubert for seeing the deliberate knock forward, and the offside. Those incidents were in the game. Anyone crying foul should look again and / or learn the rules. Having said that, Joubert was wrong not to use the TMO.
Simoc
Guest
Thank goodness for that
Simoc
Guest
The refereeing decisions were correct which is to much for the feeble Northern Hemisphere fans. At least Scotland tried to win by playing rugby using their backs, a concept missing from the welsh and English sides, so totally barren of ideas.
Huw Ellis
Guest
Count on me to back that one
Huw Ellis
Guest
I'm still looking for the video clip that shows Joubert running for the exit at the end of the match. This man should not be allowed to referee any games against Northern Hemisphere teams- Check his record.- especially against Wales
Kiwi
Guest
At one point I thought I was watching the ABs in the first half of the Argies vs Ireland match. They have come on faster than anyone would have expected in the last 3 months. I sincerely hope the Wallabies don't take your attitude into the match Andy. If they're not scared of this Argie mob then they should be, cos it'll help them play better......according to Shag and co's philosophy anyway.
Kiwi
Guest
At an early stage in the Wales vs SA match a try went begging because a straight forward pass was thrown miles over a Welsh player's head and into touch. You have to feel for some of the Nth Hemisphere fans when that happens, it must be so frustrating, especiailly when they see have to watch southern opponents shift the ball wide in counter attacking situations, which always feels so inevitable.
Warwick Todd
Guest
Mike I was actually responding to your expert analysis of Scott Sio's scrummaging posted at 4:18 where you lazily pointed out he was "schooled". I apologise if I have consumed too much of your time I just thought given the overly officious and obtuse nature of your posts time is something you have plenty of.
taylorman
Roar Guru
Oh well, at least we've had our standard referee saga for the tournament. Hopefully the rest of us escape this sort of drama. Pity, the refs were doing so well up until this, rightly or wrongly.
taylorman
Roar Guru
What history Andy? Oz had the easiest match of the lot and nearly stuffed it up. That was the one match few predicted a NH win. Almost the same against Wales. They're not causing any trembling boots this way I can tell you. Argies look more than capable of handling oz who will be out on their feet because of Pool A, where NZ and Argie are still fresh, and it showed.
taylorman
Roar Guru
Yeah I gotta agree with that Kiwi, watching these guys stumble over themselves to get the ball through the hands was tiring, so many basic skills lacking under pressure. Sometimes you would be willing the ball safely through only to see someone stuff it up through bad timing, positioning or just poor hands.
Mike
Guest
I agree the Pumas won't be daunted by us. With Folau and Pocock back, I think we will beat them. But it will be tight.
Mike
Guest
That's an interesting point - this experience may be positive for us. Based on this morning, if we learn the lessons I can see us beating Argentina. Especially with Poey and Folau back. But we are going to have to improve a LOT to beat the ABs. We can pray that the Boks take them out. Not that the Boks are easy, but at least they are mortal.
ethan
Guest
Launchberry wasn't playing, they had to give it to someone.
ethan
Guest
This is what I wanted to read. We can officially say Joubert made a couple of poor calls both ways.
Mike
Guest
Warwick, for some reason you decided to raise this subject after I made a comment about AAC - not sure how a prop relates to an outside back.. But in this "exchange" you haven't actually said anything, except for some general abuse - no substantive comment about anything, except to say that you don't like previous comments I made, and to which you didn't respond then and aren't responding now. You are of course entitled to your opinion, but not to any more of my time.
ethan
Guest
Last week against Wales was supposed to be our bad week, how many do we get? The truth is that we attempt to play an up tempo attacking game, which sees us do brilliant things and score points, and do awful things allowing other teams back in it. It is the opposite way of think to SA, or most northern teams, who attempt to play tight and very controlled rugby. We make more errors and look bad, but we also do more good things - enough to beat all the northern teams. If we want to win the Cup however, we're going to need less errors.
swifty
Guest
yeah, turns to water when the heat is on worst flyhalf performance i can remember