The key game!

[Buggaluggs]

I've seen Aus down big to the ABs over the years and they put in that trademark 10-15 minutes of breathtaking rugby and suddenly its 24-18 and all to play for. Having it done to Wales too is no black mark. Is typical Aus rugby. You just aren't going to keep them down for the full 80.

[Beasties]

Great match for us neutrals. Wales did well to hang on and deserve much credit. Aus might not be a great team at the mo but they have some good individuals and the aforementioned fighting spirit. Ire v Jap match yest was enthralling but one of the teams was poor. Both teams today wanted to win it, Aus came close but well done Wales in the end.

[Sandydragon]

The Aussies have always had dangerous runners and when they hit a purple patch they can score tries for fun.

[francoisfou]

This may well be the match of the tournament up to now. Wales' record against Oz isn't good but that won't count for much on Sunday in what should be a match too close to call, But for what it's worth, I'm going with Wales by 3 or 4 points.

'Tis rare that I get predictions right, but I reckon I'm entitled to blow me own trumpet for this one!

Next prediction for the QF v France - Wales by 3 or 4 again.

[Sandydragon]

This may well be the match of the tournament up to now. Wales' record against Oz isn't good but that won't count for much on Sunday in what should be a match too close to call, But for what it's worth, I'm going with Wales by 3 or 4 points.

'Tis rare that I get predictions right, but I reckon I'm entitled to blow me own trumpet for this one!

Next prediction for the QF v France - Wales by 3 or 4 again.

I’ll take that.

[normanski]

This may well be the match of the tournament up to now. Wales' record against Oz isn't good but that won't count for much on Sunday in what should be a match too close to call, But for what it's worth, I'm going with Wales by 3 or 4 points.

'Tis rare that I get predictions right, but I reckon I'm entitled to blow me own trumpet for this one!

Next prediction for the QF v France - Wales by 3 or 4 again.

I’ll take that.

The England-France game will give us a better feeling for how the quarter final might go, if indeed England cream both France and Argentina by big margins in the group stages.

Wales seem to have the hex on France in recent years and they will be fired up to put them to the sword.

Someone suggested Fiji might be a banana skin for Wales next up but I cannot see that myself.

The next two games give Gatland a chance to give the reserves an outing while protecting key players. It will be good if Beard returns to full fitness for both games to take some of the strain off AWJ and Ball.

Who will be back up to Patchell if Biggar is not fit in a week’s time? Did I see Liam Williams’ name in the frame or did I dream it?

We’re in a good position and probably better than we could have hoped for.

[Banquo]

I did not think Moriarty made much impression.

Watkin - one very key moment!

It seems a long time since Nicky Smith destroyed the junior All Blacks scrum, he really has not developed as well as anticipated.

.

Watkin had two crucial moments. Who was it who kept Toomuas penalty in play? Adams?

It was Tomas Williams I thought. Wonderful athleticism and played the ball back to a Welsh player.

I’m still shaking!

Cool ta.

[Sandydragon]

We need a strong team to start vs Fiji, especially as we have a 10 day recovery period. I’m not sure where their heads will be at, given that their RWC is pretty much over. But, a strong start to make sure that we win the game then bring the bench in early if we can.

With due respect to Uruguay, we can rest key players although we can’t disrespect them the way Fiji did. But definitely scope for the wider squad to take part. If we win the last 2 games I think it’s the first time we’ve done a clean sweep since 1987.

I’m really looking forward to the England France game now. France has some sparks of good play in their win over Argentina, they also looked terrible at times.

[Sourdust]

I’m really looking forward to the England France game now. France has some sparks of good play in their win over Argentina, they also looked terrible at times.

I'm not.

We have to support England!

[francoisfou]

I’m really looking forward to the England France game now. France has some sparks of good play in their win over Argentina, they also looked terrible at times.

I'm not.

We have to support England!

Grin ´n’ bear it, y’aul fecker!

[Sourdust]

I'm not.

We have to support England!

Grin ´n’ bear it, y’aul fecker!

I'll bear it. Will that do?

[Sandydragon]

I'm not.

We have to support England!

Grin ´n’ bear it, y’aul fecker!

I'll bear it. Will that do?

I’m thinking of adopting the same policy the Irish did in WWII, officially neutral but favouring one side quietly.


Very very quietly.

[Spiffy]

Great game. Well done Wales.
Oz can be very good when they turn it on. Would not write them off yet, if Cheika can get his selection right.
Thought Oz made a seriously poor decision late in the game when they decided to kick for goal when down 4 points, and simply reduced the margin to one. That should have been banged into the corner.

[Sourdust]

Thought Oz made a seriously poor decision late in the game when they decided to kick for goal when down 4 points, and simply reduced the margin to one. That should have been banged into the corner.

It looks wrong now - but there were 10 minutes to play. Aus had taken a whole 10 mins of relentless pressure to score the previous try, so gambling on Wales cracking again would have been a big call. On the other hand, I don't think anyone watching believed, at that point, that Wales could break the stranglehold on territory that Aus had, and avoid giving them another shot at goal when they were totally dominating possession. Pressurizing the 40m line is a lot easier that attacking the goal-line. When Wales re-established the 4-point gap, the last few minutes demonstrated how vital it was.

[Lizard]

Wales led start to finish. Never in doubt, right?

[normanski]

Wales led start to finish. Never in doubt, right?

It’s good to get an antipodean perspective, right?

[Billyfish]

We were so going to lose that in the last quarter. Felt sick to the pit of my stomach. Set piece needs work and I'm sure Shaun will have a words about the defence, but get by some angry South Sea Islanders without getting brutalised and we could make this look respectable .

[Sandydragon]

We were so going to lose that in the last quarter. Felt sick to the pit of my stomach. Set piece needs work and I'm sure Shaun will have a words about the defence, but get by some angry South Sea Islanders without getting brutalised and we could make this look respectable .

We held onto win. It was heart stopping but frankly I don’t care now, we won. Lots to work on, set piece went to rat shit too easily, and not just the scrum and defensively we lost the collisions.

That said, it wasn’t too long ago that the Aussies would have scored 4 tries during a period like that. This time they didn’t and whilst we rode our luck a bit in the second half, so too did the Aussies when we had the upper hand.

We now have an opportunity to make the semis, perhaps further, so provided we don’t switch off then this could be a very successful World Cup.

[Billyfish]

We were so going to lose that in the last quarter. Felt sick to the pit of my stomach. Set piece needs work and I'm sure Shaun will have a words about the defence, but get by some angry South Sea Islanders without getting brutalised and we could make this look respectable .

We held onto win. It was heart stopping but frankly I don’t care now, we won. Lots to work on, set piece went to rat shit too easily, and not just the scrum and defensively we lost the collisions.

That said, it wasn’t too long ago that the Aussies would have scored 4 tries during a period like that. This time they didn’t and whilst we rode our luck a bit in the second half, so too did the Aussies when we had the upper hand.

We now have an opportunity to make the semis, perhaps further, so provided we don’t switch off then this could be a very successful World Cup.

Yarp, 'tis a good thing. Having beaten Oz I'd now be disappointed if we didn't get to the semi's. I'd be surprised and delighted if we got any further, our set piece Vs South Africa (praps) is too much to wish for.

[Sandydragon]

Our set piece more than anything almost cost us the game. Admittedly we got a try out of losing a restart but as a general principle we should be winning our own ball and after months of having a reliable line out, it got a bit wonky. Collecting restarts also seemed to be difficult at times before even getting to the scrum disaster.

If our forwards focus on the set piece for the next couple of weeks it won’t be time wasted. It’s certainly an area that France will seek to exploit, let alone the Bokke!

[Son of Mathonwy]

I still held on to a bit of confidence even as Australia whittled our lead to almost nothing. Blind optimism is sometimes correct!

Bloody fantastic performance, got the win, deserved the win. Onwards to the next match.

[normanski]

I still held on to a bit of confidence even as Australia whittled our lead to almost nothing. Blind optimism is sometimes correct!

Bloody fantastic performance, got the win, deserved the win. Onwards to the next match.

I admire your confidence. When they kicked the penalty to get within a point I thought this was going to be heartache again for us.

All credit to Patchell for his kicking in the second half. Must have been nerve wracking but his composure was remarkable despite having played so little rugby in recent months. Who knows he may be one of our RWC stars if Biggar is incapacitated.

[francoisfou]

I still held on to a bit of confidence even as Australia whittled our lead to almost nothing. Blind optimism is sometimes correct!

Bloody fantastic performance, got the win, deserved the win. Onwards to the next match.

I admire your confidence. When they kicked the penalty to get within a point I thought this was going to be heartache again for us.

All credit to Patchell for his kicking in the second half. Must have been nerve wracking but his composure was remarkable despite having played so little rugby in recent months. Who knows he may be one of our RWC stars if Biggar is incapacitated.

Indeed, Patchell was impressive! Has he put on some weight over the last season or two as I seem to remember him as being rather slightly built?

[Son of Mathonwy]

I still held on to a bit of confidence even as Australia whittled our lead to almost nothing. Blind optimism is sometimes correct!

Bloody fantastic performance, got the win, deserved the win. Onwards to the next match.

I admire your confidence. When they kicked the penalty to get within a point I thought this was going to be heartache again for us.

All credit to Patchell for his kicking in the second half. Must have been nerve wracking but his composure was remarkable despite having played so little rugby in recent months. Who knows he may be one of our RWC stars if Biggar is incapacitated.

Indeed, Patchell was impressive! Has he put on some weight over the last season or two as I seem to remember him as being rather slightly built?

My impression is that he's always been solidly built (for a fly half). But he was very good, didn't put a foot wrong, kicked his kicks. Very pleased he's shown that he's a safe pair of hands (again).

[normanski]

And according to WoL Biggar is going to be ok for the Fiji game. I’d still be inclined to start Patchell and put Biggar on the bench to give him more recovery time.

Hope the boys are enjoying a well earned rest this week. Their confidence must be sky high and momentum is building nicely.