Friday Nov 15, 2024
Friday Nov 15, 2024
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Australia’s fly-half Carter Gordon is tackled by Wales number eight Taulupe Faletau
LYON: Gareth Anscombe kicked 23 points and tries from Gareth Davies, Nick Tompkins and Jac Morgan sealed a last-eight place for Wales with a game remaining in Pool C when they beat Australia by 40-6.
Australia managed just two penalties from Ben Donaldson. Eddie Jones’ side is on the brink of becoming the first Australian team to suffer pool-stage elimination.
The woeful Wallabies were humbled by Wales, who are celebrating a fourth consecutive World Cup quarter-final qualification under Warren Gatland as Head Coach.
This display must rank as one of Wales’ finest performances under the New Zealander and the result beats their previous record win against Australia, a 28-3 triumph in 1975.
Captain Morgan was again outstanding, while number eight Taulupe Faletau and scrum-half Gareth Davies showed their class.
The only negative for Wales was a worrying injury that forced talismanic fly-half, Dan Biggar, off in the first half, but his withdrawal allowed Anscombe to excel with six penalties, a conversion and a drop-goal.
A victory over Georgia on 7 October in Nantes will officially ensure Wales finish as group winners but only two match points will be required.
That would set up a probable quarter-final against Argentina, Japan or Samoa in Marseille the following weekend, with England clear favourites to win Pool D. – (Agencies)
