And they let Georgia have the final word, with flimsy lineout defence allowing a late try.Īlthough 25 of Jones’s 33-man squad are at their first World Cup, Australia’s depth will be tested. After winning every lineout in the first half, they lost three in succession in the second. After leading 21‑3 at half-time, the Wallabies let Georgia score first after the break and get their tails up. As they did against the All Blacks, his team started fast and faded, losing concentration and leaking penalties with ill discipline. With one of the heaviest packs at the tournament, Australia ruthlessly went through the heart of the Georgians at their powerbase. The Angus Bell‑Tupou‑Dave Porecki front row was outstanding. McReight‑Hooper‑Rob Valetini in the back row. Photograph: Aurélien Meunier/Getty ImagesĬombinations are starting to click. Wallabies winger Mark Nawaqanitawase announced himself in Paris. Mark Nawaqanitawase was dynamic in the air and out wide, the young flankers Tom Hooper and Fraser McReight ran hard through heavy traffic and created havoc in the clinches, and, with smart charges and offloads, the centre Jordan Petaia had his best game in gold. And Taniela Tupou, who last month looked ginger from his ruptured Achilles and sore ribs, got his running game back with an intercept and alley-oop pass that gave Donaldson, named player of the match, his second try.Ī Brat Pack of young Wallabies also announced themselves on the world stage. Rested for France, Marika Koroibete looked as dynamic as he has all season, scything through the midfield and laying several massive hits. Several veterans are returning to full power. And where previous Wallabies captains might have chased tries and pressure, Skelton took penalties when they were on offer and rested his men where he could. His oratory is distilled into curt calls-to-arms and the phrase “boom-boom” but it works. Will Skelton’s captaincy seems to be developing nicely. Suliasi Vunivalu got stuck in straight away off the bench. Jones has instilled confidence into players who needed it. Australia had made 32 tackles to Georgia’s 89 at half‑time and looked fresher and fitter all match. The decision to take his squad into camp in Darwin and Arnhem Land to help them to acclimatise to the European heatwave gave his men a clear advantage in the sweltering conditions. Jones’s pre-tournament planning also paid dividends.
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