In the last of our Rugby World Cup pool previews, today we finally turn our attention to Australia’s Pool D.
The Wallabies face an uphill battle to top a group featuring short-time world No.1 Wales, but will still fancy their chances of reaching the knockout stage ahead of Fiji, Georgia and Uruguay.
The teams
Australia
It’s hard to get a read on the Wallabies ahead of this year’s World Cup after a whirlwind Rugby Championship and Bledisloe campaign.
If the side that put 47 points on the All Blacks in Perth turns up, the sky’s the limit. If it’s the side that got brushed aside by South Africa and New Zealand, however, it’s hard to see them progressing past the quarter-finals.
Australia also have the unique misfortune of being by far the least-favoured top seed in their group. The difference between a quarter-final against likely Group C winners England and likely runners-up France (or Argentina) is probably the biggest one at the tournament, so it’s particularly crucial they get the group stage right.
The fitness of David Pocock – whose only Test of the year came against Samoa this past weekend – could be the difference between a first or second-place finish.
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Wales
An undefeated Six Nations campaign saw Wales briefly propelled to the top of the World Rugby rankings, only to fall down to fourth after a recent 22-17 loss to Ireland.
In any case, Warren Gatland’s side enter this tournament perhaps best placed to reach the final for the first time in their history. They will be hoping to at least reach the semi-finals for the first time since their heartbreaking loss to France in 2011.
There are few surprises in the Welsh World Cup squad, although the inclusion of Cory Hill – who is recovering from a fractured leg – has raised some eyebrows. Cardiff’s Jarrod Evans was the most surprising omission, given he started in the Ireland warm-up, but the main blow is a knee injury to flyhalf Gareth Anscombe, ruling the key playmaker out of the tournament.
Fiji
Fiji are still riding a massive high after finishing 2018 with one of the biggest upsets in international rugby history – a 21-14 victory over France on foreign soil.
Despite a first-up loss to Japan in the Pacific Nations Cup, the Flying Fijians have enjoyed hard-fought wins over Canada, Samoa and Tonga since and will enter the World Cup full of confidence.
Coach John McKee bizarrely named a 32-man squad last month, meaning one player would suffer the ignominy of being the only omission. That unlucky fellow was prop Lee-Roy Atalifo.
They’ll be hoping to reach the quarter-finals for the first time since 2007.
(Andy Buchanan/AFP/Getty Images)
Georgia
As often happens, Georgia romped through the Six Nations B earlier this year, conceding just 34 points across their five matches while scoring 162.
But, when they came up against a ‘proper’ Test nation, they were found out. Scotland put Borjgalosnebi to the sword in the form of a 44-10 win in their recent warm-up.
Georgia are yet to progress from the group stage at the World Cup, but their performances have been steadily better over the journey, improving from no wins in 2003 to one each in 2007 and 2011 and two in 2015.
Sensationally, former captain Mamuka Gorgodze has been named in the squad despite not playing a Test since March 2017.
(AFP PHOTO / BERTRAND LANGLOIS)
Uruguay
The Uruguayans surprised in the qualification phase after upsetting Canada in their two-match playoff.
It’s been a mostly superb 2019 for Los Teros, going undefeated throughout the Americas Rugby Championship, although they did go down to Namibia at home in June. Anything but four straight losses in Japan would be a massive surprise, though.
The big matches
Australia vs Fiji
Saturday, September 21, 2:45pm
The first Group D match has the potential to be a belter with the Wallabies, still unsure of precisely what form they’re in, taking on a Fiji side who’ll be up and about after some strong form in preparation.
Australia should be able to put Fiji away with relative ease, but any cracks – or, unfathomably, a loss – could derail Australia’s World Cup immediately and would send fans and media alike into a frenzy.
Australia vs Wales
Sunday, September 29, 5:45pm
If you only watch one Pool D match, it absolutely has to be this one.
With the top two seeds in Pool D looking to be the closest of the entire group stage, this is easily the most crucial 1 versus 2 match.
The Welsh ended a run of 13 consecutive defeats against the Wallabies in November 2018 and will probably enter this game as favourites due to recent results.
The two played out a thriller in the same stage in 2015, where Australia held on for a memorable win despite having to play with 13 men for a good chunk of time. If we get a repeat of that match this time around, we’ll be in for a treat.
Sean McMahon during the 2015 World Cup game between the Wallabies and Wales. (AP Photo/Christophe Ena)
Georgia vs Fiji
Thursday, October 3, 3:15pm
It’s hard to see any of the other three Pool D sides seriously challenging Australia or Wales for a quarter-final spot, although this clash could be an interesting battle for third place.
Fiji deserve favouritism given their superior form in the lead-up to this year’s World Cup, but Georgia have been one of the most consistent improvers on the international stage since debuting at the 2003 World Cup.
A win here would be an enormous fillip for a European nation with their sights on challenging the top dogs.
For the full Pool D schedule, head over to our Rugby World Cup fixture page.
All times AEST/AEDT.
Players to watch
Semi Radradra (Fiji)
Former NRL star Radradra has been superb for Fiji since crossing codes, scoring three tries in five Tests – including a crucial one in the country’s famous win over France.
The 27-year-old is reportedly eyeing a return to rugby league after the World Cup, but he’d be keen as anything to lift his side to new heights while he’s still with them.
Semi Radradra with Barbarians. (Photo by Henry Browne/Getty Images for Barbarians)
Mamuka Gorgodze (Georgia)
The talismanic former skipper has made the most unexpected of returns to international rugby after retiring more than two years ago.
But with the Georgian side smashed by injury, 35-year-old Gorgodze will return for the Lelos as they look to make it out of the group stage.
The man they call ‘Gorgodzilla’ is the leading try-scorer in Georgian history (with 26) and could inspire his younger teammates to greater things in Japan.
Felipe Berchesi (Uruguay)
With 287 points in 32 appearances for his country, the form of the 28-year-old flyhalf will be critical to Uruguay’s competitiveness at the World Cup.
Berchesi scored the entirety of Uruguay’s points in three of their 2015 World Cup matches.
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Pool prediction
Wales’ rich run of form in 2019 makes them the deserved warm favourites to top Pool D. Australia should have no issues qualifying in second place, with Fiji, Georgia and Uruguay rounding out the group in that order.
1. Wales
2. Australia
3. Fiji
4. Georgia
5. Uruguay
Rugby World Cup previews
Scotland
Argentina
Australia
Ireland
Wales
England
South Africa
New Zealand
jimbo
Roar Rookie
hahaha..wallabies will have their ass handed to them in that fiji game..u heard it here first
Faithful
Roar Rookie
Bring back George Smith!
Faithful
Roar Rookie
In my opinion, we should be going with a backrow of: 6) Dempsey 7) Pocock 8) Naisirani This Backrow has good balance (workrate; lineout; on the ball presence; size; aggression; speed). Pocock as Captain and Hooper and Loto coming off the bench. A bit late to do this but I have always felt Pocock starting the game is the better option. Loto's and Hooper's games are more suited to impact and positional cover. And your Captain should always be the best player in his position who has the respect of the team. Without a doubt Pocock is the man.
piru
Roar Rookie
Pocock is too slow to be a 7. He is a 6, he does not link with the backs but is good defensively. Hooper is the perfect link man, fast, energetic and puts pressure on defences whilst instigating attack. Well that's not even close to true
Bobbles
Guest
And Bernard Foley will still be in the 23.So your point is moot.Don't bring QC into this as his team finished higher than the Tahs. DHP Hodge Genia Korobiete were also in that Rebels backline.If you knew anything about Rugby or watched any you'd notice how hopeless the Rebels pack was for the last 6 weeks of the comp.
FunBus
Roar Rookie
'They try to play a more expansive game than their 6 N neighbours,...' Eh?
jeznez
Roar Guru
Yep, agree with all that.
Bobby
Roar Rookie
Love the comment rhar Pocock might be the difference. Does it follow rhar if we don't, Pocock is to blame. The "God" like status is sickening. Same as to QC after the first 6 rounds of Super. Poey is one of 23 and his main job is get turnovers. He got none last week!! Hooper will be 7.
MitchO
Guest
Pocock looked pretty good on the weekend. Some excellent passes. He can link fine.
PeterK
Roar Guru
Very true, in fact when Pooper was being played Hooper in fact played more like a wide ranging no 8 and Pocock the traditional 7 role. My issue has never been that Pocock isn't effective or doesn't get to be a jackal or slow down ball , my issue has been the lineout and ball carrying in tight. Also losing the physical battle in contact on the ad line both sides of the ball. LSL solves the ball carrying and lineout BUT not the defensive side nor ruck duties required of a blindside. With Naisarani having the in tight ball carrying I am interested to see how Pooper goes. Mind you a recent strength the lineout could easily crumble like it has for the wallabies previously with Pooper. Since the wallabies base so much of their attack from the lineout this is a serious issue if it happens.
jeznez
Roar Guru
I'm long on record as saying that I'd prefer us to play a more traditional backrow and use Hooper off the bench. Would have loved to have seen Fardy, McCaffrey or Higginbotham tried. I'm just sick of people spinning out this line that there is some travesty going on and that we aren't getting the best of Pocock because he packs in a different position for 12 or so scrums per match. What number is on his back has almost no bearing on his involvement in the vast majority of the 180 rucks or so per match.
Jamie
Guest
Hooper is good at running, especially running away from cleaning out rucks. He is also a tremendous runner on the wing.
Lara
Guest
The Wallabies actually match up with the Welsh. The Welsh scrum is not a powerhouse, their lineout is solid , but the Wallaby locks are more than adequate, their loosie can be matched n their backs are not outstanding . They try to play a more expansive game than their 6 N neighbours, but seldom penetrate.....no, the Wallabies have a chance , as long they don’t fall asleep against Fiji. Cheika might be in luck again with Pool D.
Tooly
Roar Rookie
I look forward to Radrada running at JOC , Toomua and Hooper then Kurtley. Who will cop the blame.
SD
Guest
No matter how you spin it Hooper and Pocock are both number sevens. We lack a true 6. Valentini McCaffrey Higginbotham even Samu but he is more a 7 should have been on the plane.LSL is a lock and Dempsey is not test standard.
Psshh
Guest
Then all they need is an early card given to the opposition, the ref to blow a call like the ‘15 quarter final agains Scotland, Haylett petty and Beale to not miss a tackle a d they’re going all the way!!
Malo
Guest
Pocock is too slow to be a 7. He is a 6, he does not link with the backs but is good defensively. Hooper is the perfect link man, fast, energetic and puts pressure on defences whilst instigating attack.
jeznez
Roar Guru
Of course there is impact in playing two 7s but my question is how is wearing a different number/packing in a different position at scrum time a "waste of his talent" as Dbx puts it. I keep hearing that we are wasting Pocock by playing him out of position but there aren't that many scrums per match and I don't believe he's any less effective for the very limited time taken up by them. Sure there are impacts to the team by forgoing a taller, heavier player but that is a different conversation.
JP
Guest
Having two sevens in a Wallaby backrow wont work. Never worked. Pocock is a 7 not a 6 not an 8. When will Clown stop this nonsense. Cheika hasn't picked a decent 6 in the 31 man squad, so we will see a backrow of : 6 Pocock 7 Hooper 8 Naisirani
jcmasher
Roar Rookie
I think your final standings are correct. The way the squad is managed between Fiji and Wales will be interesting and this is something I think could be an issue as if the Wallabies take Fiji too easily they may well be surprised.