Rugby World Cup
Wales Clinch Win Over Wallabies in Thriller
Wales have taken control of Pool D of the Rugby World Cup with a win over the Wallabies
Wales narrowly defeated Australia 29-25 this morning as they now look set to finish top of Pool D at the Rugby World Cup in Japan.
A dominant first half performance with tries from Hadleigh Parkes and Gareth Davies either side of an Adam Ashley-Cooper five-pointer saw them build a healthy lead. However, the Wallabies just fell just short with a comeback with tries from Dane Haylett-Petty and Michael Hooper second-half pushing the Welsh all the way but it was not enough in what was an incredible game.
Wales had a perfect start to the game as they turned the ball over straight from kick-off and after a couple of phases the ball was spun back to Dan Biggar who slotted over a brilliant drop-goal to make it 3-0 after less than 40 seconds.
Things got better for the men in red in 13 minutes in as they took the ball into the Wallabies 22, and after being given a penalty advantage Biggar sent a cross-field kick over to the right-hand touchline where Parkes climbed highest to claim the ball and touchdown. Biggar converted beautifully from the angle to make it a 10-point game.
Eight minutes later and the Wallabies gave the Welsh a taste of their own medicine as they burst into the 22, and with an advantage on their side Bernard Foley sent a cross-field kick towards their right which Ashley-Cooper collected to go over for the Aussies first points. Foley failed to add the extras leaving it at 10-5 to Wales.
Just before the half-hour mark Biggar went off for a HIA, while the Wallabies cut further into the lead courtesy of a Foley penalty just to the left of the posts outside the Welsh 22, making it a single score game at 10-8.
Rhys Patchell, on for Biggar, pushed the Welsh further ahead a couple of minutes later with a finely struck penalty from outside the Aussies’ 22 near the right-hand touchline.
Five minutes later and Patchell slotted another penalty to give them a 16-8 advantage.
Less than a minute on and they were further ahead as scrum-half Gareth Davies intercepted a Will Genia pass from the back of a maul in the Welsh half and out ran everyone to put the ball down for a brilliant try. Patchell added the extras to give Wales a 23-8 lead going in at half-time.
The first score of the second-half went to Wales and much like in the opening half it was another drop-goal, this time Patchell was on hand to knock over from outside the 22.
However, the Wallabies hit back straight away with some brilliant handling leading to full-back Haylett-Petty diving over for a well-worked try. Substitute Matt To’omua converting to make it 26-15 with just over 30 minutes to go.
The next 15 minutes were all about Australia and after camping in the Welsh 22, winning penalty after penalty, they eventually got the try they deserved through captain Hooper as he barrelled over from close range. To’omua kicked the extra two, to put only four points between them with a little over 15 minutes to go.
Five minutes on and Wales’ lead was cut to just a single point as To’omua kicked a simple penalty from inside the 22.
Wales edged further ahead again when Patchell knocked over a penalty with eight minutes remaining to hand them a 29-25 lead.
The Wallabies went all out for a match-winning try, but Wales held out to secure a vital 29-25 victory in what could go a long way to giving the Welsh the top spot in Pool D.
Next up for the Wallabies is a clash with Uruguay next Saturday, where they will hope to get back to winning ways, while Wales have a long break until they play Fiji on Wednesday the 9th of October as they will hope to continue their push to finish top of Pool D.
Player Ratings
Wales Starting XV:
Liam Williams (7), George North (7), Jonathan Davies (7), Hadleigh Parkes (8), Josh Adams (6), Dan Biggar (6), Gareth Davies (9), Josh Navidi (8), Justin Tipuric (7), Aaron Wainwright (7), Alun Wyn Jones (7), Jake Ball (7), Tom Francis (7), Ken Owens (7), Wyn Jones (7)
Replacements (6)
Australia Starting XV:
Dane Haylett-Petty (8), Adam Ashley-Cooper (7), James O’Connor (7), Samu Kerevi (8), Marika Koroibete (7), Bernard Foley (6), Will Genia (7);Scott Sio (7), Tolu Latu (8), Allan Alaalatoa (6), Izack Rodda (7), Rory Arnold (7), David Pocock (7), Michael Hooper (8), Isi Naisarani (8)
Replacements (8)
World Rugby has made the difficult decision to recommend the postponement of Rugby World Cup 2021, scheduled to be hosted in New Zealand between 18 September-16 October, until next year. The recommendation will be considered by the Rugby World Cup Board and World Rugby Executive Committee on 8 and 9 March respectively.Play Video
While appreciating the recommendation is extremely disappointing for teams and fans, it has their interests at heart, and gives the tournament the best opportunity to be all it can be for them, all New Zealanders and the global rugby family.
The recommendation is based on the evolution of the uncertain and challenging global COVID-19 landscape. It has become clear in recent discussions with key partners including New Zealand Rugby, the New Zealand Government and participating unions, that, given the scale of the event and the COVID-19-related uncertainties, it is just not possible to deliver the environment for all teams to be the best that they can be on the sport’s greatest stage.
The challenges include uncertainty and the ability for teams to prepare adequately for a Rugby World Cup tournament both before and on arrival in New Zealand, and challenging global travel restrictions.
World Rugby can assure teams, New Zealanders and the global rugby family that the recommendation to postpone the tournament will help to ensure that Rugby World Cup 2021 will be all it can be next year for players, fans and the rugby family – one of the great Rugby World Cups.
Further updates will be issued following the Rugby World Cup Board and World Rugby Executive Committee meetings next week.
Statement Ends.
Confirmed.
How the draw worked
As host nation, France was drawn first and placed randomly in one of the four pools. The teams were then drawn randomly from each band, starting with Band 5 (Africa 1, Oceania 1, Asia / Pacific 1, Final Qualifier Winner), then Band 4 (Americas 1, Americas 2, Europe 1, Europe 2), then Band 3 (Scotland, Argentina, Fiji and Italy), then Band 2 (Ireland, (France), Australia, Japan) and finally Band 1 (South Africa, New Zealand, England, Wales). The first drawn in each band was placed in Pool A, the second in Pool B, the third in Pool C and the fourth in Pool D.
Draw seedings
Twelve of the 20 teams qualified automatically by finishing in the top three places of their Rugby World Cup 2019 pool. These 12 teams are: South Africa, New Zealand, England, Wales, Ireland, France, Australia, Japan, Scotland, Argentina, Fiji and Italy. Acknowledging the global COVID-19 impact on international rugby in 2020, these teams were seeded based on the World Rugby Men’s Rankings as of 1 January, 2020 and placed into the first three bands of four teams.
The remaining eight teams will come through the regional qualification process and were allocated for the draw into bands four and five based on relative strength. They are: Americas 1, Americas 2, Europe 1, Europe 2, Africa 1, Oceania 1, Asia / Pacific 1 and the Final Qualifier Winner.
- Process designed to promote regional strength and the best teams to rugby’s showcase event
- 12 teams already qualified owing to top three pool placing at RWC 2019
- RWC 2023 on track to be a spectacular celebration of rugby and France
World Rugby has announced details of the qualification process for Rugby World Cup 2023 in France.
Following the most competitive and widely-acclaimed Rugby World Cup to date in Japan, the qualification process is designed to deliver the top teams in the world to rugby’s showcase tournament, while promoting a genuine opportunity for all unions.
With 12 teams having secured their place at France 2023 courtesy of finishing in the top three of their respective pools at RWC 2019, the remaining eight places will be determined by a process of regional and cross-regional qualifiers. The process will conclude with a four-team round-robin Final Qualification Tournament in November 2022 to determine the final qualifier.
The dates for events in 2021 will be announced in due course and will be subject to an anticipated easing of the COVID-19 situation.
The announcement follows consultation with unions and regions in January 2020 and a full review of performance at Rugby World Cup 2019, where rankings upsets and the impressive performances in particular of Japan, Fiji, Uruguay, Tonga and Georgia cut the performance gap, with the average winning margin between established and emerging unions decreasing in comparison with 2015 benchmarks.
The Americas will deliver two direct places, while Oceania will deliver a direct qualifier with a further direct place available following a play-off with Asia. The Rugby Europe Championship (two direct places), Rugby Africa Cup (one direct place) and Final Qualification Tournament (one direct place) will provide the other qualifiers. Further details are provided below.
RWC 2023 qualification principles
- Americas: the Americas will qualify two teams by September 2022. The third best team in the region will enter the Final Qualification Tournament – Americas 1 & Americas 2
- Europe: the existing Rugby Europe Championship will have two qualifying places, with the two best teams in March 2022 qualifying directly and the third placed entering the Final Qualification Tournament – Europe 1 & Europe 2
- Africa: the Rugby Africa Cup 2022 winner will qualify directly and the runner-up team will go to Final Qualification – Africa 1
- Oceania: a home and away play-off between Tonga and Samoa in 2021 will determine the direct qualifier for the Oceania region. – Oceania 1
The loser will then play the Oceania Rugby Cup 2021 winner in the highest ranked team’s country with the eventual winner contesting Asia / Pacific (see below) as Oceania 2 - Asia / Pacific: the winner of the Asian Rugby Men’s Championship 2021 will play Oceania 2 home and away. The winner on aggregate will determine the qualifier and the loser will go to Final Qualification – Asia / Pacific 1
- Final Qualification Tournament: the tournament in November 2022 will feature four teams playing in a round-robin format with the winner qualifying for RWC 2023 – Final Qualification winner
Teams already qualified: South Africa, England, New Zealand, Wales, Japan, France (host), Australia, Ireland, Scotland, Italy, Argentina, Fiji
World Rugby Chairman Bill Beaumont said: “With the global pandemic having halted most rugby activity, confirmation of the global qualification process for Rugby World Cup 2023 provides a beacon of excitement for all, including players and fans.
“The process that has been developed via full consultation with our regional associations and member unions will provide a genuine opportunity for full member unions to qualify for our showcase men’s 15s event.
“Maximising existing regional competitions, the process is good for regions and unions in managing costs for organisers and participants alike, which is important as we all recover from the global pandemic.
“On behalf of World Rugby, I’d like to wish all teams involved the best of luck on their journey to France 2023.”
Rugby World Cup France 2023 CEO Claude Atcher added: “This qualification process gives emerging unions an opportunity to take part in our sport’s biggest competition.
“The success of Rugby World Cup 2019 in Japan and performances by the host nation is a testimony of rugby’s expansion globally. As the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic is about to be won, I welcome this optimistic prospect of reconnecting with the excitement of our sport. This is the start of our journey towards France 2023, which will be the best tournament ever delivered.”
Final details of the regional competition formats and dates will be announced in due course.
Official Press Release from World Rugby
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