Australia line up Scotland, Wales face Springboks

South Africa lost to Japan in one of the greatest shocks in rugby history earlier in the tournament but have bounced back with resounding wins over Samoa, Scotland and the United States to go through top of Pool B. Given that, it’s testament to the extraordinary resilience of the squad that they have made it out of this implausibly hard pool and into the quarter-finals.

Inside centre Matt Giteau also appeared to aggravate his rib injury, but is expected to be ready to play against Scotland.

Luke Charteris echoed those sentiments.

“But if we were to go all the way, then that period (in defence) could certainly be seen as a pivotal moment”.

“We can definitely use this as motivation for next weekend”.

“If anyone comes in it will be an opportunity for them”. Still, the game will be there for the taking if they want it. “If we spend that amount of time in their half, we have to come away with a try”.

Quarter final two: New Zealand v France at Cardiff, 6am Sunday AEDT.

“Test match footy is always pretty intense but that would certainly be one of the most intense, stressful times of Test match footy”. “He’s been an outstanding player for us and did incredibly well to come back from his injury in the summer to get back up and running and get fit”, said Jenkins.

For all the credit that needs to be given to Australia for a phenomenal defensive display, the fact remains that Wales could not score a try despite spending what felt like a lifetime on the Australian line with the Wallabies down to 13 men.

Captain Sam Warburton was right to spurn the shots at goal and go for the line given his side’s numerical advantage, and if Wales’ crash-ball tactics failed to break Australia, the style is so deeply ingrained that there’s no hope of – or sense in – changing it now.

The view in most places was that the Wallabies confirmed their status as the new favourites and Wales a team best avoided in the last eight.

Charteris reckoned Wales would take heart from that result.

“An extra day’s recovery is crucial”, said Grey.

Cheika remains the only coach to ever win both the European Cup and the Super 15 crown, and it looks like he could be set to add the William Webb Ellis trophy to that already incredible collection.

But desperate Australian defenders launched themselves at Welsh ball-runners, keeping out wave after wave of attacks close to the ruck and out wide. “Unfortunately a bit of indiscipline probably cost us”.

Australia-Wales matches have a definite pattern.

Williams suffered a dead leg in the victory over the South Americans and then sustained a concussion in the win against England. In fact, it wasn’t so long ago that Morgan took down the poster of Hook which he used to keep on his bedroom wall.

Wales coach Warren Gatland quipped that England would not be able to pay his salary should they offer him a coaching job.

“It was highly stressful, I won’t lie”, said one of the standouts of their epic defence Adam Ashley-Cooper, as he and the other Wallabies began two days of much-needed rest before preparing to face Scotland in the quarter-finals next Sunday.