Teenager Jordan Petaia has starred on debut for the ill-disciplined Wallabies, who came alive in the second half to dispatch Uruguay 45-10 at the Rugby World Cup.
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Winger Dane Haylett-Petty and outside centre Tevita Kuridrani both bagged doubles while winger Petaia crossed with his second touch as Australia ran in seven tries to one in humid conditions in Oita on Saturday.
The performance was marred by first-half yellow cards shown to forwards Adam Coleman and Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, both for high tackles.
Other Australian high shots were also penalised in a concerning lack of discipline from Michael Cheika’s team, who were punished by match officials for similar offences in the opening win over Fiji and the loss to Wales.
A 12-5 penalty count against them is a headache Cheika must address ahead of Friday’s final pool clash with Georgia.
The bonus point win means Australia have virtually locked down a quarter-final berth, with only a series of upsets able to deny them.
They remain on track to finish second in pool D but could yet claim top spot if Fiji upset Wales in Oita on Wednesday.
Petaia was the brightest element to emerge from Australia’s biggest Test win since thumping the same opponents 65-3 at the last World Cup four years ago.
The 19-year-old had limited opportunities but displayed a good work effort to secure his try and backed that up with a thrilling assist to Kuridrani in which he slid past three defenders and threw a memorable assist.
Australia’s youngest player at World Cup, Petaia made way at halftime in a pre-planned substitution.
The Wallabies went to another gear in the second spell, crossing four times against the 18th-ranked South Americans, who nevertheless had the final say through a try to No.8 Manuel Diana.
Australia made their best start of the tournament setting up Haylett-Petty before their discipline turned south.
French referee Mathieu Raynal brandished his first yellow card when deeming Coleman had tackled fullback Rodrigo Silva around the shoulder.
That 14th-minute infringement was followed 15 minutes later by a near-identical indiscretion from flanker Salakaia-Loto.
Neither incident looked bad enough to earn a citing but both players will be nervous after lazy efforts.
Australia notched a solitary try during both periods with 14 men, with Petaia at the heart of each.
Up 19-3 at the break Australia dominated the second spell through power runners such as man of the match Kuridrani, flanker Jack Dempsey and reserve prop Taniela Tupou. All three were making their first appearances of the tournament.
Kuridrani, Will Genia, James Slipper and Haylett-Petty were the second-half try-scorers.
Slipper’s try was greeted with delight by teammates, with the veteran prop having failed to score in his previous 93 Tests.
jgeres
Roar Rookie
Old you say? Keiran Read turning 34 in 2 weeks, David Pocock.....31
Cedric Petersen
Guest
Whats with the Springbok jersey? Aren't the Wallabies proud of their yellow jersey? Two WCs have been won with the yellow jersey.
Diamond Jackie
Roar Rookie
Nothing wrong with that in itself it was a rare occurance. But it isn't. Vs Samoa it was like the farewell episode of the Doris Day Show. All the oldies came out to play and receive pats on the back at the expense of the good of the team.
Realist271
Guest
Biggest disappointment? What tosh. The forwards were poor in the first half and Pocock was not there. We got turned over at the breakdown, isolated, yellow carded.
dazell
Roar Rookie
I agree I thought the backline looked much better with Toomua at 12.
Diamond Jackie
Roar Rookie
Hi has one or two more international games to go pre retirement. Why would you risk it?
Morsie
Guest
I agree 100% that he his concerned about his neck. He has none of the ferocity he used to take into almost every ruck and seems very cautious - and I don't blame him. I would like to see a back row agains Georgia of LSL 6, Naisarani 8 and Dempsey at 7.
GibbonRib
Roar Rookie
I'm sure it has, but clearly it's not been effective. Whether that's because of not enough time, or not the right focus, I don't know. We shouldn't take Cheika's complaints after the Wales game about not knowing the rules abouts more literally, I'm sure he does, but he's frustrated about how wrong they seem to have got their preparation.
Ruckin Oaf
Guest
Cheika has already stated he is done if they don’t win the World Cup That's what we calls a silver lining
Malotru
Roar Rookie
Experiment or not Puff, the outcome is usually pretty much the same and that is the disappoiting thing. England wasn't great, but at this time appears easily good enough to beat the Wallabies.
Mark Richmond
Roar Guru
Yep, Fox cut off the replay just as he went to make the tackle....it looked as though he actually jumped up to make it. It certainly looked the worst of the lot on first viewing.
Big Dave
Roar Rookie
Coleman seemed to be actively trying to give away obstruction penalties. He spent half the game a couple of metres downfield, just lingering...
BK
Guest
Yes sorry Uruguay, had the beer goggles on by the time I posted????
BK
Guest
????
Wigeye
Guest
Yep and not much talk about highshots etc dangerous tackles on here .got the goods to play well but when they have a pressure game it will be more of the same.cheikas go a lot to awnser for poor management poor coach the players don't know if they are Arthur or martha
terrykidd
Roar Pro
It might have been high but it was a great front on ball and all tackle that had to be made.
terrykidd
Roar Pro
I hope London Irish are not paying too much for Coleman because he is a liability for the Wallabies.
terrykidd
Roar Pro
Watch the replay again, he missed 3 tackles one on one ..... he was ok but nowhere near perfect.
terrykidd
Roar Pro
On form displayed ...... no
terrykidd
Roar Pro
If you watch Pocock in defence he is hanging behind the first line waiting to pounce for a steal, and last night did not get a single one. It seems like he has the thought in his head that he must steal ball, instead of just play rugby and steal if the opportunity presents.