The Wallabies will journey to France later this month nonetheless looking for their maiden Test victory underneath Eddie Jones in his second tenure.
Australia has began 2023 with 4 consecutive defeats, together with Saturday afternoon’s agonising 23-20 loss to New Zealand in Dunedin because the All Blacks secured a 2-0 Bledisloe Cup whitewash.
It was a spirited efficiency from the Wallabies, who dominated possession and territory within the first half earlier than the wheels got here off after the interval.
The Australians had been tormented by sloppy penalties and dealing with errors within the second half, with the understaffed All Blacks clinching victory within the dying moments at Forsyth Barr Stadium.
It was Australia’s last problem earlier than Jones pronounces the World Cup squad on Thursday, with the Wallabies taking part in one last warm-up match in opposition to France in Paris on August 26.
“As much as I hate New Zealand rugby, I’ve got great admiration for the way they keep at it,” Jones informed reporters within the post-match press convention.
“They keep playing, they keep doing the things they’re good at, they stay hard in the contest, they keep going. For us, we don’t want to forget that feeling today.
“That’s a really important feeling we have today because we’ve got a devastated group of men in there. But if we learn from it, it’s going to be the most potent lesson, it’s going to be more than a PhD from the University of Otago.”
Centre Samu Kerevi (hand damage) and hooker David Porecki (shoulder criticism) will probably be assessed within the coming days, doubtlessly including to Australia’s damage woes.
“Porecki has got a bit of a shoulder, I’m not sure how bad that is,” Jones informed reporters within the post-match press convention.
“(Kerevi) has got a bit of a fist problem … I’m not sure how bad it is.”
Meanwhile, the Wallabies are nonetheless sweating on a calf damage for veteran captain Michael Hooper, whereas there isn’t a timeline on Taniela Tupou’s return from the ribs damage he sustained final week.
The Wallabies have struggled to string collectively 80 minutes of disciplined rugby, a irritating flaw that continued in Dunedin this weekend — nonetheless, Saturday’s defeat has resolved a number of World Cup conundrums.
Melbourne Rebels prop Pone Fa’amuasili pushed his case for World Cup choice, exhibiting he’s greater than able to overlaying for the injured Allan Alaalatoa.
“It’s remarkable what he’s done,” Jones stated of Fa’amuasili.
“A guy who was playing maximum 10, 15 minutes of Super Rugby and not very well. He’s come out there in a Test match against New Zealand, played 60 minutes and acquitted himself.”
Flanker Tom Hooper, who made his Test debut in opposition to the Springboks final month, put collectively his greatest performances for the Wallabies, as did fullback Andrew Kellaway, who could have achieved sufficient to safe the coveted No. 15 jersey.
Matt Faessler, who changed Jordan Uelese on the bench on the eleventh hour after a coaching mishap, impressed on Test debut, proving he belongs at worldwide degree.
Prop Angus Bell, picked forward of Test veteran James Slipper, was influential in scrums all through the competition, however the reshuffled Wallabies ahead pack desperately missed the expertise of injured forwards Alaalaota and Tupou.
In the backline, Mark Nawaqanitawase and Marika Koroibete confirmed glimpses of their excellence all through the primary half, whereas flanker Fraser McReight was a weapon within the breakdown.
Meanwhile, younger flyhalf Carter Gordon and captain Tate McDermott confirmed themselves because the staff’s first-choice halves mixture, regardless of Gordon lacking a vital penalty within the second half, hitting the posts in what proved a pricey error.
”I couldn’t say I’m completely happy. Four losses are 4 losses,” Jones continued.
“But are we making progress? You know, sometimes the result sheet doesn’t reflect what you’re actually doing and that’s hard for people to understand.
“I think we’re definitely moving in the right direction, but we’ve got to win games.”
For the primary time in World Cup historical past, the Australians embark on a World Cup marketing campaign with no Test victories underneath their belt, whereas Jones has misplaced 12 of his final 13 video games accountable for the Wallabies.
Australia’s self-discipline and execution stays trigger for concern, but when the Wallabies can replicate their first half in opposition to New Zealand throughout six matches in France, a World Cup triumph isn’t out of attain.
When requested if the Wallabies may win the marquee match, Jones responded: “100 per cent. As a matter of fact, I think we will.
“If I could bet on it, I would, but I think you get in trouble if you bet.”
The Wallabies could have a warm-weather camp in Darwin earlier than travelling to Europe later this month.
Source web site: www.foxsports.com.au
