Wallabies ‘just doing their jobs’

Editor

Wallabies skipper Stephen Moore said his team's amazing defensive effort against Wales at Twickenham on Saturday was a product of hard work on the training pitch.

Reduced to 13 men due to two yellow cards, Australia produced an sensational display to keep Wales out during a 10-minute siege and eventually ran out 15-6 winners, booking a quarter-final against Scotland and avoiding a clash with the Springboks. 

"The guys just did their job," said Wallaby skipper Stephen Moore. 

"We talked about the pressure coming on at certain times. Not just in this game but in every game and being ready for that. 

"It is not complicated. We just try keep it fairly simple and working hard for each other.

"That comes through training hard and trying to get better every day of the week.

"It's not something that you magically find over the weekend it's something that we've worked hard on. 

"Everyone has a very specific role and you just want guys to do their job. The leaders are people guys will look to on those occasions in terms of communicating the plan there.

"The guys that came off the bench for us in those parts of the game were great. Ben McCalman (for example) made a real try-saver of a tackle there and those moments are really important."

Australia coach Michael Cheika admitted that it was far from a perfect performance but was pleased his team could dig deep to get the desired result.  

"As a forward I enjoyed tonight more. There wasn't much talent out there tonight. It was just about getting stuck in," he said.

"If they say that behind every good man is a good woman, behind every attack is a great defence.

"It was pretty tight. It was a different type of game for us so we just had to show a different skin. There were plenty of imperfections and that's something we have to sort if we want to get to the final," added Cheika.

"Wales are a good team and well coached. They bring something that we hadn't seen in the choke tackle. They had a few tricks up their sleeve, moving us up the middle, they have got players that play with a lot of passion and will to win."

Cheika poured cold water on suggestions that the Wallabies were headed for the more favourable side of the draw. 

"What I do know is that (Scotland head coach) Vern Cotter is a very clever coach. He had a very successful time in France, which is difficult for an Anglo-Saxon and I'm sure he will have them ready for the knockout games," said Cheika of their upcoming opponents.

"There is no favourable side of the draw. The only favourable thing is that you are in it. You have only got to look at some of the games in this tournament to know there are no easy games."