Wallabies Bow out of Rugby World Cup

The Wallabies had no answer to the men Eddie Jones had invested in and built up over the past 4 years. Following a poor performance at the 2015 Rugby World Cup, England have cruised past the Wallabies 40-16 to meet the All Blacks in a semi-final play-off.

Despite having only 36% possession and 38% territory, it was almost too easy for the English as they dominated in all areas of the game. The low possession is testament of England’s defence having also forced 18 turnovers from the Wallabies who weren’t able to capitalise on possession or territory.

And despite the Wallabies good ball runners repeatedly managing to beat several defenders with ball in hand the English played smart rugby with little use they did have, utilising a great kicking game and the ill-discipline of the Wallabies to gain territory for good field position and penalty conversions.

With all the strike power the Wallabies have in its backline through Kerevi, Petaia, To’omua, Beale and Hodges they only managed to score a single try through the brilliance of Marika Koroibete, which he managed at the start of the second half. By the time Koroibete scored England had already scored two converted tries and a penalty. The Wallabies came within a point after Leali’ifano converted Koroibete’s try 17-16. However, that was the end of the Wallabies run as the Wallabies checked out at 16, while England piled on another 23 more points in the next 37 minutes.

Wallabies winger Marika Koroibete was one of the better players for the Wallabies with his quality runs and never die attitude, while junior Wallabies sensation Jordan Petaia also had a good game, a good sign of things to come for the Wallabies in their effort to build towards the next Rugby World Cup in France in 2023.

The Rugby World Cup is renowned for creating tomorrow’s stars, while historically it’s been a place where legends play their last hurrah and hang up their boots and it’s no different this time.

With the Wallabies now exiting the Rugby World Cup, several high-profile Wallabies players have also played their final game for Australia. The extensive list of players departing for overseas clubs includes players who were also sidelined for this game. Notable players from Pacific Island heritage include Christian Leali’ifano who moves to Japan next season, Sekope Kepu to London, Will Genia also to Japan, Rory Arnold to France, Adam Coleman to London, and Samu Kerevi to Japan. Notable non-Pacific heritage players leaving to play overseas include David Pocock, and Bernard Foley.

Before the next world cup some players are bound to return to Australia to play at least one season to become eligible for the Wallabies, however, several of these players may have just played their last ever test for Australia given their age. We suspect Arnold, Coleman and Kerevi will be back in a Wallabies kit, if not for the Rugby World Cup possibly over the next few years if Rugby Australia put out a call for help or if the eligibility laws are relaxed a bit more. For the most part though, it seems most players who have left to play overseas haven’t been lured back to Australia to make themselves available for possible Wallabies selection.

It’s going to look interesting in July when the Wallabies play their first test in 2020 as not only will they have a stack of new players, but they’ll also have a new head coach following Cheika’s announcement after the game that he will not be seeking a contract renewal. That’s for a whole new discussion and article.