Welcome to news.com.au’s coverage of Australia’s must win clash against Wales at the Rugby World Cup.
It’s D-Day for the Wallabies, who must beat Wales to keep their hopes of alive of progressing to the quarterfinals and avoid a first ever group stage exit.
Last weekend’s shock loss to Fiji made the battle for the top two spots in Pool C very dicey.
The Wallabies are without gun drop Taniela Tupou (hamstring), while captain Will Skelton (calf) is being given to the last minute to prove his fitness.
It goes without saying, the stakes are extremely high for the Wallabies after a disastrous start to the World Cup.
Win and there’s still hope of a quarterfinal if they go on to beat Portugal. Lose and they’re out, and all hell will break loose for Eddie Jones and Rugby Australia.
The game is due to kick-off in Lyon at 5am AEST.
Eddie Jones bombshell hangs over Wallabies
He’s contracted on a five-year deal through to the home 2027 World Cup, but Eddie Jones has been revealed as having taken secret job interviews with rival nations during the middle of Australia’s Rugby World Cup preparations.
Just days before the Wallabies began their campaign in France, the Sydney Morning Herald reports Jones took part in a Zoom interview with Japanese rugby officials on August 25, dialling in from Paris two days ahead of Australia’s eventual 41-17 demolition by France.
Jones has a 1-6 record since returning to the helm of the national side, the sole win coming against 13th-ranked Georgia to kickstart the Wallabies’ World Cup group stage.
Rugby Australia chief executive Phil Waugh told the Sydney Morning Herald that Jones claimed there was “nothing in” the reports, which have also been replicated in Japanese media.
“I take people at their word and Eddie’s said there’s nothing in it,” Waugh said.
“So, as far as I’m concerned, that’s the end of the story and everyone’s focus is on this weekend’s crucial game against Wales.”