LYON, France — If Australia or Wales were better than mediocre, their pivotal Rugby World Cup pool match on Sunday in Lyon would be easier to call.
The two-time champion Wallabies and three-time semifinalist Welsh are pale imitations of their former selves heading into a contest that reeks of desperation.Australia, six losses in seven tests this year, wants to avoid its earliest-ever exit from a Rugby World Cup.
Fullback Andrew Kellaway will make his Rugby World Cup debut, and Rob Leota was brought into the back row to give it some oomph after it was outmuscled by Fiji last weekend. Fiji won 18 penalties off Australia, 10 at the breakdown. Fiji beat Australia 22-15 for the first time in 69 years to no surprise.
The Wallabies, already badly handicapped without their two best forwards in captain Will Skelton and prop Taniela Tupou — both injured — are still learning how to play together. Wales on paper looks ready to dish out some pain. It has the same, largely rested 15 that started against Fiji two weeks ago, a 32-26 win owing to a large degree of luck and an overly friendly referee. But Wales also showed the benefit of Warren Gatland's training camp by making an incredible 237 tackles against Fiji. The Welsh put their bodies on the line for each other and prevailed.Wales has two bonus-point pool wins almost despite itself, as discipline is also its ongoing issue.
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