2023-09-24 21:18:00
The ax has fallen. And it is the Australians who have lost their minds. The Welsh defeated Australia (40-6) at Groupama Stadium, securing their qualification for the quarter-finals. Despite the very early injury of playing master Dan Biggar, the Leek XV gave a lesson in pragmatism with an excellent replacement fly-half, Gareth Anscombe. Totally helpless, the Wallabies have most likely said goodbye to the quarters. A historic first.
We don’t know if there was fear in the stomach or rather doubt in the heads of these Australians. But in any case, they sank this Sunday evening. An entire rugby country now has to deal with this second defeat in the group stage. Especially since this one was a real wreck, without the slightest clearing.
Biggar injured so what?
It must be said that the Welsh could not have started this important match better for them. From the first real start of play, Warren Gatland’s men implemented a perfectly oiled combination off the sidelines to propel Gareth Davies into the opposing goal (3rd). A blow to the Wallabies’ heads from the start and yet, a reaction. The Oceanians in turn attacked with great intensity and kept contact thanks to the foot of Ben Donaldson (9th, 14th), opener for one evening like his team: in distress as the minutes passed.
Wales, however, lost Dan Biggar, injured in the arm very early (12th). A hard blow for the face of this selection, which was quickly overshadowed by the brilliant entry of Gareth Anscombe. The replacement fly-half took a series of penalties in the first half to shelter the Welsh in a lesson in realism and pragmatism. Enough to contrast with an Australian game, not devoid of desire, but multiplying stupid mistakes (throws not straight, touches not found) and marks of indiscipline.
Wales’ scrum-half Gareth Davies (L) scores a try despite Australia’s full-back Andrew Kellaway during the France 2023 Rugby World Cup Pool C match between Wales and Australia.
Credit: Getty Images
This glaring lack of benchmarks was already visible, and the Wallabies paid for it in the second half. Overturning in the scrum, extremely fair in touch, the Leek XV put their hands back on the ball and began to crush their opponent. Two tries scored in the second period including one flattened by Nick Tompkins on a marvelous offering at the foot of Gareth Anscombe (48th), who then added a drop (70th): everything came together to leave nothing left for Australia.
The defeat is significant for the Wallabies, whose crisis should be symbolized by the very probable non-qualification in the quarter-finals. This Australia is a lost Australia. Against her, the Welsh, also in search of confidence, showed that they had perhaps been underestimated in recent weeks. In any case, they have just signed a 3/3 and will play a quarter-final of the 2023 World Cup.
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