Fri 23 Sep 2011 | 02:38
Rugby World Cup Daily - Wallaby rout

7
Comments

The Wallabies beat the USA 67-5 in Wellington earlier today but picked up a few injuries that will be a major concern for coach Robbie Deans. RWC Daily takes a quick look at the game, and we get a preview of New Zealand's big match against France.

Australia scored 11 tries as they snuffed out the USA threat in what was another high scoring game. Injuries have led Deans to consider calling up other players though, as Rob Horne, Pat McCabe, Anthony Faingaa, Kurtley Beale, and Wycliff Palu are all concerns.

Fainga'a was knocked out cold late in the game, but was apparently walking around shortly afterwards, so should be okay. Horne has a broken cheekbone, and McCabe dislocated his shoulder. The others don't sound too serious though, and there are eight days rest before their next game.

"It's pretty extensive (the injury count). It's part of the game. Obviously it would be better to avoid them but that's how it happens," said Deans after the match.

Elsewhere, all the talk is of New Zealand's grudge match with France, the side that knocked them out of the 2007 tournament at the quarter finals stage. Ironically, the draw is such that each side might not mind losing this one to get a slightly easier, on paper, route.

You can view highlights of today's match on the Rugby World Cup website here.

7 Comments

  • murph
    5:42 PM 24/09/2011

    Give yourself an uppercut mate. Yes, I'm serious. Replace two (yes, two) backs with a seven and another back.

  • eggman
    9:16 AM 24/09/2011

    @UHtiger
    "Only" two backs seem to have serious injury: McCabe (thank God) and Horne. Faingaa seemed to be doing much better after the match and should be available again at the QF stage. But yeah, Giteau would probably be a good replacement for McCabe (although im not a big fan of Gits). However, they definately need a specialist 7 as backup for Pocock. The aussies didnt get a single breakdown turnover against the US and their pack also looked piss weak against the Irish without Pocock. While it's great for McCalman to be able to cover 6,7 and 8, he just doesnt cut it at 7 on test level and was shown to be out of his depth. I still dont understand why he was called up instead of a specialist 7, surely 3 8s are too many?

  • uhtiger
    7:26 AM 24/09/2011

    @murph, so 3 outside backs go down and your idea is to bring in a specialist 7. What the hell are you smoking, if anyone gets brought into the squad it will be a back.
    Although a specialist 7 as back up would be handy, having a player who plays multiple positions is much more handy in a tournament situation.

  • 7:05 PM 23/09/2011

    ...just awful. 101 tackles made against Ireland - looked like just as many were missed tackles this game. I guess the tactic was to play the "B" side (yeah, like we really have that much of an "A" side...) so the preferential players would be fit against Italy. But still...apart from the first 3 minutes, it was pretty tragic. Almost as bad as the SA-Namibia game...

    One positive thing is that the USA is the only team to score a try against Australia so far. :)

    As for Australia, glad to hear Faingaa is okay. I was actually concerned about a spinal injury at first - the way he wasn't moving at all afterwards. No hand or leg movement...nothing. So it looked pretty bad. Good to hear he was up and walking again. Also happy to see Mitchell recovered in time for the WC, and that Barnes is back at rugby.

  • murph
    5:11 PM 23/09/2011

    Barnes to start at 12 in the next game

  • murph
    5:10 PM 23/09/2011

    Bad luck for Horne and McCabe. If either get sent home and Deans doesn't call for Beau Robinson or Matt Hodgson, it'll be concrete proof that he works for the NZRFU. The decision not to take a specialist backup #7 to a RWC is possibly the most stupid squad selection decision I've ever seen. It'd be like a national soccer side turning up to the soccer world cup without a spare goalkeeper.

  • stroudos
    5:10 PM 23/09/2011

    Eh? That section with the smelly Welshmen in a caravan was a bit random, wasn't it???