Holmes tackles strongly in Wallabies win

The Welsh Rugby Union confirmed on Sunday morning via their official Twitter account that Williams would play no further part in their World Cup campaign.

The reward for the Wallabies was a quarter-final clash with Scotland which edged out Samoa 33-30, and also the knowledge they had avoided a semi-final showdown with World Cup heavyweights South Africa and the All Blacks.

Wales captain Sam Warburton insists his side have nothing to fear when they face South Africa in the World Cup quarter-finals.

Had they toppled Australia – at one point the Wallabies were reduced to 13 men following yellow cards for Will Genia and Dean Mumm – then Wales would have booked an appointment with Six Nations rivals Scotland at Twickenham.

Wales, despite being hit by repeated injury setbacks, emerged from the World Cup’s so-called “pool of death” in second place behind Australia.

“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.

“The guys know how close that was and the couple of opportunities that were presented we didn’t take”.

Wales extended its losing streak to 11 tests against Australia. For the loser, South Africa awaited.

Cheika played down the significance of the seven-minute period where the Wallabies were outnumbered but said he was proud of their effort. One thing this group of players doesn’t mind is a challenge and it’s a great challenge next week and that’s what great teams are made of, being able to bounce back. “Disappointed we lost today, but definitely back ourselves for next week”.

It was the second game of Wales tour of Australia in Melbourne.

At a few stage and it could well be the semifinal, their energy levels are going to be dangerously low.

“We’ve learned a huge amount from that”. “It’s just another game next week”.

“But the case has been made for us considering more games in the north if and when we can accommodate that”.

Gatland’s side employed the choke tackle – a tactic regularly displayed by Ireland – to limit Australia’s attacking threat to good effect, particularly before the break.

“We are expecting a physical game, and they have been impressive after the opening weekend defeat against Japan”. “If we spend that amount of time in their half, we have to come away with a try. There wasn’t much talent there, it was about getting stuck in, working hard for each other and trying to resist the opposition”.

The Wallabies’ defensive efforts had everyone talking after their 15-6 win over Wales but both captain and coach said the reasons behind it were simple.

There were injury concerns over centre Jamie Roberts (head) and Liam Williams (foot) but Gatland said his squad would cope with those, and not dwell long on a loss.