Poor Australia are having a nightmare tournament. Things were rosy when they cleaned up the Tri Nations a week before RWC kick off. They had beaten up the All Blacks in Brisbane and crossed the ditch with their usual brash Ocker confidence in full swing. But they had to work really hard to beat Italy in their opening match, then things got worse.
They lost to Ireland in the tournament's first boil over - check out my Game 16 Blog. This means that they are almost certain to meet the improving South Africans in the Quarter Finals - not something any team would opt for.
Then they whipped USA in Game 23 but endured a sickening injury toll. Now they are left with many crucial players unavailable. Their back-line is short of; Digby Ioane, Kurtley Beale, Pat McCabe and Anthony Faingaa, which is a massive impediment. The forwards are also under the gun; outstanding lock Dan Vickerman is injured and reserve #8 Wycliff Palu has been sent home to Oz. Things are so dire that the best #8 at this tournament Radike Samo is starting this game on the wing.
But maybe they can turn things around? The good folk of Nelson organised a special "Hug an Ozzie" day yesterday, bless. And the Russians are so bad they should prove a good testing ground for new combinations. Robbie Deans certainly isn't hitting any panic button yet. This game could be the first game of a successful campaign for the Wallabies, or the beginning of the end. Time will tell.
The Wallabies are wobbly for the first 5 minutes or so, but soon assert themselves. Samo makes a great burst down his right wing and then Berrick Barnes makes the most of the space to score a try on the 6 minute mark. He is the great success story resulting from the Australians' injury woes. He's taken his opportunity with both hands and looks a real threat.
This opens up the floodgates, and just ten minutes later the fourth try for the bonus point is collected by returning open side Blair Pocock, who brushes 3 Russians aside as he canters to the line. Pocock is relishing an easy run to help shake off his injury woes.
In between these two tries Drew Mitchell and Ben McCalman collected 5 pointers as well. James O'Connor is kicking well and the score is 26-0 within 18 minutes.
The Bears are far from bearlike... although stockbrokers call a bear market a sleepy one. Maybe they should be renamed the Russian Teddy Bears. This is looking the most embarrassingly one sided contest thus far.
The big success story of the first quarter is Radike Samo's imposing pressence (and afro) on the left wing. He looks every bit a winger, and he might end up being good enough to be named at #8 and #11 in a best of tournament XV!
Pocock grabs his second try after 21 minutes to bring the Aussies to a commanding 33-0 lead. Megan and I have seen enough and are heading to the cake tin for the France v Tonga game. This game is effectively over anyway, the only question left is the final score. But the question for next week will be who has had the better buildup for the juiciest Quarter Final?
South Africa had to dig deep last night to best Samoa. Is that better preparation for their date with the Wallabies than this romp? My guess is it will be, and the Wallabies will head to the next round with doubts still rattling round their heads.
Hang about, as we are heading out the door fabulous Russian left wing Vladimir Ostroushko scores in a superb counter-counter attack. He promised before the match that he would eat Radike Samo, and while he hasn't had a chance to do that yet - he has generated the biggest cheer of the match! He will never have to buy a shot of Vodka again!
Go Russia! 33-5 as we leave our manor. I'd love to discover they can score a couple more, but I doubt the Aussies will let that happen. By the time we make it out the door it is half time and the score is 47-5.
Tweet of the half - "7 tries and a bonus point for Wobblies but they kinda need a more challenging game in lead up to quarters #rwc2011" @Knorts
Much later now... back from Tonga v France Game 35.
So the wheels fell of the Wallaby performance big time! Russia scored another 2 tries and added 17 points in the second half to the Aussies 21! But even more concerning for Deans was another injury to a back line star - this time Drew Mitchell who has done his hammy.
Will they be able to find the right XV men to front up to South Africa next week? Only time will tell.
Final Score: Australia 68 - Russia 22
34 games 209 tries
Tweet of the match - "Well played Russia a strong second half, outplayed the Wallabies in my opinion. I am reconciled to a QF exit if we play like that" @tonynewling
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