LYON – Eddie Jones’ brazen move to shaft some of Australia’s most experienced internationals and take a team of youngsters to the World Cup was brutally exposed as folly by Wales.
Compounding the misery is the fact the Wallabies aren’t able to climb aboard a Qantas jet home to Australia – they’re still a mathematical chance if Fiji lose to Georgia and Portugal in the next two weeks. They won’t, of course, but the Australians will have to stick around to wallow in their misery.
“I want to apologise to Australian supporters,” Jones said. “A lot of people have travelled here, a lot of people stayed up late at night. I apologise and take full responsibility.”
He said he was 100 percent committed to the Wallabies, despite reports he had met with Japan officials about their vacant head coach role.
“I came back to Australia to try to help. At the moment I’m not giving much help. I’m a proud Australian – I hate to see Australian rugby do as poorly as we’ve been doing, especially under my reign.”
He added: “Whilst it looks at the moment like a shambles, I can guarantee you it’s not.”
Sonny Bill Williams had said the two key areas for the Wallabies to focus on where discipline and defence before the game. Both were not up to Test standard again.
Ben Donaldson of Australia makes a break during the Rugby World Cup France 2023 match between Wales and Australia at Parc Olympique on September 24, 2023 in Lyon, France. (Photo by Craig Mercer/MB Media/Getty Images)
Dave Porecki gave away a penalty in 30 seconds and Wales got their first try on two minutes. The Welsh lost their star player Dan Biggar in just 11 minutes but didn’t miss a beat.
Gareth Anscombe was gifted a kick in front when Tom Hooper was caught out in a ruck.
“That’s unforgiveable from the Wallabies defensive line,” fumed Morgan Turinui.
“That’s the lesson that needed to be learnt. That’s a ruck that had been lost, they had a good defensive line. They need to make smarter decisions.”
Still, Australia were in touch at 10-6 when a baffling on field call ended up being a coach killer for Eddie Jones’ team.
Instead of a kick at goal from in front for a one point deficit, Australia opted to go to the sideline. The lineout was absurd, two Wallabies fell into each other and Porecki’s throw was snaffled by Wales who sent a 50-22 down field and push the margin to seven soon after. Australia never got close to them again.
Michael Hooper, back in the Stan Sport studio instead of here with the team he was named co-captain of in the Rugby Championship, couldn’t believe it.
“Tell me why we wouldn’t take the kick?” asked Hooper. “If you’re on the field at that moment and making that decision why are you not taking the kick there? I don’t see too many reasons why you wouldn’t. Maybe the team on the field felt momentum was in our favour, we could go big and get a seven.
“But if you look at the outcomes, if we score a try he’s a genius but it doesn’t happen and Wales get an absolute lift from it.”
(Photo by Getty Images)
Tim Horan added: “That was their moment, that lineout”.
Wales were buoyed by the sharp change in fortunes while Australia’s flyhalf Ben Donaldson was having a nightmare night. An early slip, an intercept thrown after a decent break, a kick out on the full – again Jones takes most of the blame.
Rob Valetini, who should know better, dived on a ball deemed still within one metre in the ruck and not open play.
Australia got a lucky escape just before the half as Louis Rees-Zammit was held up. But it was a mere stay of execution.
“All that comes with youth is poor decision-making and poor options,” said former Wallaby Stephen Hoiles at halftime. “We’ve looked good at times but made some key errors. Defensively the start, they worked hard to get back into it then made some big mistakes near the end of it.”
Wales’ lead came despite Australia having nearly 70 percent possession in the opening half. With more ball in the second they devastated the Wallabies.
“The second half has been the complete dismantling of the Wallabies’ game,” said Turinui. “Set piece at scrum at line-out and defensively in terms of structure and space in the Wallabies have been outclassed by a Welsh team growing in confidence and putting them to the sword.
“There been some quality intent to put their hand up and run the ball but it’s been individual. No coherent little three, four man plays.
“The simple matter is that their destiny is now well out of their hands. They would need Fiji to lose probably twice against Georgia and Portugal. And that is unlikely. Even then it might not be enough in terms of bonus points and the fact that Fiji beat Australia.
“At the end of this match, you can say that this will be it for the Wallabies.”
Messy Jog
Roar Rookie
Dan Mackellar walked away. Laurie Fisher was told he wasn't wanted.
Stu
Roar Rookie
I felt terrible for Dave Rennie then. I feel terrible for the players now. Both victims of a wildly self-serving narcissistic RA board. Incredibly, there won’t be any change on the horizon, only “learnings”, and “taking full responsibility” .. which of course means they won’t.
fiwiboy7042
Roar Rookie
I think he's full on retired now.
Thing Me
Roar Rookie
You are right. Last year 78% of kicks to the corner from penalties never came off for the Wallabies.
AgainAgain
Roar Rookie
That’s like saying having Trump as president isn’t Trumps fault, it lies squarely at the feet of the US political system. While that is true, it doesn’t mean he was anything but a corrupt id10t out of his depth. Not saying Eddie is corrupt.
AgainAgain
Roar Rookie
100… you sure you aren’t’t just making stuff up. Also during a period when Australia could actually maul and score from a five metre line out… something this recent lot has been unable to do. Also might add, that the coach at the time may have also been pushing that strategy. And for the little it matters I do think he is a smart operator and learned and this wasn’t his go to decision in the past few seasons. The problem when you don’t have experienced leaders in the team. Look at how long Cane was understudy to Richie for before picking up the mantle. When Hooper came in he was a kid that was carrying the Wallaby team on his shoulders. Without him, they wouldn’t have been anywhere near the side they were and that is not saying they were fantastic, but at least they could score tires.. what was it two penalty kicks against a very average Welsh side.
AgainAgain
Roar Rookie
Early in his career he did, but he learned… a small thing called lived experience. The example about what a young Hooper did and his decision making compared to an older and wiser player is exactly why having experienced players in the squad makes sense.
AgainAgain
Roar Rookie
Or a used banged up Datsun?
Tree Son
Roar Rookie
Hard-earned wisdom, perhaps
DaveJ
Roar Rookie
How bad was the Wales loss? It was Australia’s worst ever defeat to any country outside NZ and South Africa in 124 years of Test rugby. No Northern Hemisphere team other than the British Lions (once, 31-0 in 1966) had ever beaten the Wallabies by more than 30 points. - Prior to Sunday, Wales had only twice ever beaten us by more than 20 (1973 and 1975). All other losses were by 6 points or less. - England have only ever beaten us by 20 twice (2017 and 2019) - France have done it 3 times (1976, 2012, 2023) - Scotland did it once (53-24 in 2017) but their next best win was by 9 points. - Ireland’s biggest win was 15 points in 2006, their next highest margin is 9. - Argentina beat us by over 20 once (48-17 in 2022), but only twice over 10, the most recent in 1983. NZ beat us several times by more than 30, the worst being 43-5 in 2020. Our two biggest defeats were to SA, on the high veldt (53-8 in 2008 and 61-22 in 1997). But SA otherwise only beat us by 30+ in 2023 (43-12). So many of our worst defeats are since 2017. And before 1980 we lost a lot more than we won. The 31-0 loss to the Lions at home in 1966 was arguably worse given tries were only three points in those days, but perhaps not in context.
mushi
Roar Guru
Jones lost them genuine tier 1 status and a quality ceo. Double blow of weaker on and off the field.
In From The Side
Roar Rookie
Exactly! A player who has never, ever demonstrated anything that says he should be a Wallaby
In From The Side
Roar Rookie
Jones does not take full responsibility because if he did then he’d also accept the consequences and from what I’ve seen there are none. As for Hooper saying take the kick; FFS he never did when he was captain so it’s a bit much him saying others were wrong for not doing what he never did. Just a little bit hypocritical from the captain with the worst record the Wallabies have ever had.
Messy Jog
Roar Rookie
If you can nail it 5m out say 80-85% of the time it is worth the risk of putting it dead or failing to find touch the other 15-20%. Gordon couldn't hit the side of a barn, and Donno it too scared to even try to put it near the try line. Kicks for touch like a league player. Simple skills, lack of quality practice etc
The Crow Flies Backwards
Roar Rookie
I thought Rassie was showing off his lava lamp
Rodders
Roar Rookie
Jones should never have been appointed coach. Alarm bells from his previous Wallabies tenure and recent performance with England should have seen to that. He has to go, and quickly- that's obvious - but the heads that really need to roll are those who appointed him. Australian rugby - and I mean the ARU - has had a toxic culture for the last 2 decades that has been about finding a magic bullet to win. Stupidly they load all that onto the coach, appointing either inappropriately (like Jones) or sacking them when wins don't come at pace or in volume. It's a low point for Australian rugby, and those who've taken us there need to go.
jameswm
Roar Guru
Petaia is a very good winger. He's a project at 13, but still pretty decent.
Wallabies_Larkham
Roar Rookie
The red dragons have alot of problems back home like financial instability, their URC teams were utterly dismal just ask N Bishop. At least they were able to still perform well at WC with these problems intact similar to us. They lost alot of leadership and experience in AWJ and Tupuric.
Wallabies_Larkham
Roar Rookie
We never looked like scoring tries even if we did take the three. Why Eddie J decided to take the attack coaching role upon himself is unbelievable silly.
Wallabies_Larkham
Roar Rookie
No leave my guy alone..his time will come