Warburton backs Wales to bounce back against Boks after Wallaby loss

Neither side managed a try.

Foley scored all of Australia’s points through five penalties, with opposing fly-half Dan Biggar landing two for Wales.

“It was a very proud performance, it was a gutsy effort, particularly that 10-minute effort from the team when we were two men down”.

Wallabies coach Michael Cheika wanted to substitute his star in the dying minutes, but there were no reserves left on the bench and Folau had to play through pain.

However, credit must go to Australia who spent seven minutes of the second period down to 13 men after scrum-half Will Genia and lock Dean Mumm were both yellow-carded.

“What was pleasing for me was in the changing room the guys are already focused on next week”, he said.

“We had to show a different skin”, added the coach, who has been in charge for less than a year following the resignation of Ewen McKenzie.

Should they get past the Springboks, Wales could well face reigning champions New Zealand – a team they have not beaten since 1953 – in the semi-finals.

Asked if he preferred Saturday’s success to the Wallabies’ win over England, Cheika replied: “I liked tonight’s win because as a forward, and not a very talented one, it was just about getting stuck in”.

Wales captain Sam Warburton defended his decision not to have a shot at goal from the many penalties his side were awarded during their relentless assault.

Camped on their own goal line, Australia just kept scrambling and tackling and eventually forced a penalty from a brilliant spot tackle by Adam Ashley-Cooper. “It is not complicated”.

Bernard Foley’s boot and brilliant defence saw Australia beat Wales 15-6 at Twickenham on Saturday to top the World Cup Pool of Death. I will do everything I can to make sure I am right for the game.

“Being able to bounce back, that’s what great teams are made of”, Warburton said. They battered relentlessly at Australia’s line from short range, but made nearly no attempt to stretch the Wallabies’ depleted cover by using the field’s full width. We prepared for it and, you know, credit to Wales; they threw everything at us – the kitchen sink and everything. “We were hungry for that try”.

So the Aussies now progress to the seemingly easier side of the draw and will play Scotland in the quarter finals.

Wales is still in contention at the Rugby World Cup.

The result means that Australia will take on Scotland after the Scots’ narrow win over Samoa earlier.

Injured Wallabies fullback Israel Folau says he’ll do everything within his powers to overcome an ankle injury in time for Australia’s World Cup quarter-final with Scotland. That was the pleasing thing from yesterday that our defence was really good to hold an Australia team to no tries.

“We got extremely close a few times and backed ourselves going to the corner when they were one then two men down”, he said.

The margins were small as three times Welsh players got across the line, only for an Australian arm to hold the ball up on each occasion.

Roberts suffered a head knock but is set to be fit for the quarter-final against South Africa but Williams will play no further part in the tournament.