Australia is not looking to scrape into the Rugby World Cup quarter-finals courtesy of bonus points or try differentials and the Wallabies are aiming to win every one of their Pool A matches, says coach Michael Cheika.
AUSTRALIA 65 (Drew Mitchell 2, Ben McCalman 2, Sean McMahon 2, Joseph Tomane, Dean Mumm, Henry Speight, Matt Toomua, Tevita Kuridrani tries; Quade Cooper 5 conversions) bt URUGUAY 3 (Felipe Berschesi penalty) at Villa Park, Birmingham.
“He’s going to start learning about the “benefits” of no sleep, isn’t he, because he will be playing off the back of no sleep”.
Mitchell scored two clinical tries after the break, and now has a chance to overtake New Zealanders Doug Howlett (13) and Jonah Lomu (15) at this tournament for the most tries in World Cup history, although he has far tougher games coming up against England and Wales.
“More around some of the carrying around those channels, as opposed to the actual catching”, Cheika said, highlighting where Australia must improve. So I enjoyed that part of the game. I’m trying to do everything that is asked of me and do it well.
“I don’t know how they’ll be, that’s their business. This is for the country”.
With Australia within reach of a top two finish, the team Cheika decides to run out against the Red and Whites will be the most important decision of their World Cup campaign.
Despite the disappointment of missing out on a try, Los Teros coach Pablo Lemoine recognised the progress his side had made since losing 72-6 against South Africa during their last World Cup appearance in 2003.
Coach Lemoine was full of praise for his team’s valiant attempt.
“I feel like that hit was across the shoulder”.
He grabbed Uruguay halfback Agustin Ormaechea around the neck in the 12th minute and slammed him to the ground.
“It was disappointing to be sin-binned as it was such an awesome atmosphere out there”, Cooper said.
“I am sure whatever they do it will be hard to deal with and we will have to find the answers”, he continued.
“There were still people there (in the stands) so you’ve still got a bit of atmosphere”.
His missed kicks weren’t a factor against Uruguay as the scoreboard blew out to an 11-tries to nil romp.
Victory over Australia-and in their final match against unfancied Uruguay-would likely see England through to the knockout stages.
Meanwhile, England’s code-hopping star Sam Burgess has been criticised for his performance in the Wales loss, and faces pressure to retain his spot for the Wallabies clash.
Will England qualify from Group A at the 2015 Rugby World Cup?
“In the areas I wanted those players to make an improvement in, in particular”.
“At the end of the pool, I think England will be going home at the moment, on [Saturday’s] form they won’t be good enough to beat Australia”, Moody told Perform.