Australia overpower committed Uruguay in Oita

Los Teros put up a brave fight but were ultimately overpowered by the Wallabies at Oita Stadium. The final score read Australia 45, Uruguay 10. It was a significant improvement from the South Americans over their defeat in the same contest four years ago, more-so in performance than score.

Uruguay held off an early attack but not for long. A quick-tap penalty put them on the back foot and Kurtley Beale connected with Dane Haylett-Petty to cross for the first try just five minutes in. Christian Leali’ifano was on target for an early 7-nil lead.

Discipline would soon become an issue for Australia, particularly with their tackle height. Michael Hooper drew the ire of the referee in a kickable position for Felipe Berchesi. He had no trouble landing the penalty to put Los Teros up on the board.

Another high tackle landed Adam Coleman in the bin, and Uruguay came close to scoring but couldn’t quite break through the shorthanded defense. Instead it was Australia who scored next with Jordan Petaia finishing it off, the 19-year-old becoming the second-youngest player in World Cup history to score a try.

Coleman had only just returned to the pitch when yet another high tackle sent Lukhan Salakaia-Loto from the field for 10 minutes. Again, however, the man advantage did not accrue points for Los Teros. Tevita Kuridrani cut clean through the defense to touch down.

Uruguay looked to have scored just before halftime but the try was called back for an offside penalty. At 19-3 down the score was heavily in favor of the Australians but somewhat flattered the men in green with Los Teros proving resilient opposition.

A quick try from Kuridrani to start the second half sealed a change of momentum. Los Teros began to look fatigued and within 20 minutes Will Genia, James Slipper, and Haylett-Petty with his second had crossed for tries to stretch the lead.

There was no capitulation, however. In fact Uruguay dominated the last few minutes of the game, camping themselves on the Australian line until at last they would cross for the hard-earned try. It was Manuel Diana who got the credit but the entire forward pack was involved in the score. Berchesi landed the conversion and the game ticked over into full-time.

Just one Pool D match remains for both sides. Los Teros close out their tournament against Wales in Kumamoto on Sunday. Australia will face Georgia in Shizuoka on Friday and barring a miraculous turn of events, will then turn their eyes to the Quarter Finals.

 

SCORING

AUSTRALIA 45
Tries – D. Haylett-Petty 2 (5′, 67′), J. Petaia (23′), T. Kuridrani 2 (30′, 45′), W. Genia (52′), J. Slipper (60′)
Cons – C. Leali’ifano 5 (6′, 24′, 46′, 53′, 61′)
Yellow cards – A. Coleman (15′), L. Salakaia-Loto (27′)

URUGUAY 10
Tries – M. Diana (78′)
Cons – F. Berchesi (79′)
Pens – F. Berchesi (12′)

 

TEAMS

AUSTRALIA
1 James Slipper, 2 Folau Fainga’a, 3 Allan Ala’alatoa, 4 Rob Simmons, 5 Adam Coleman, 6 Jack Dempsey, 7 Michael Hooper (capt.), 8 Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, 9 Nic White, 10 Christian Leali’ifano, 11 Jordan Petaia, 12 Matt To’omua, 13 Tevita Kuridrani, 14 Dane Haylett-Petty, 15 Kurtley Beale

Replacements: 16 Jordan Uelese, 17 Sekope Kepu, 18 Taniela Tupou, 19 Rory Arnold, 20 David Pocock, 21 Will Genia, 22 Samu Kerevi, 23 Adam Ashley-Cooper

URUGUAY
1 Juan Echeverría, 2 Germán Kessler, 3 Diego Arbelo, 4 Franco Lamanna, 5 Manuel Leindekar, 6 Manuel Ardao, 7 Juan Diego Ormaechea, 8 Manuel Diana, 9 Agustín Ormaechea, 10 Felipe Berchesi, 11 Nicolás Freitas, 12 Andrés Vilaseca (capt.), 13 Tomás Inciarte, 14 Federico Favaro, 15 Rodrigo Silva

Replacements: 16 Guillermo Pujadas, 17 Joaquín Jaunsolo, 18 Juan Pedro Rombys, 19 Ignacio Dotti, 20 Juan Manuel Gaminara, 21 Santiago Arata, 22 Felipe Etcheverry, 23 Agustín Della Corte

 

MATCH OFFICIALS

Referee: Mathieu Raynal (France)
Assistants: Jérôme Garcès (France) & Karl Dickson (England)
TMO: Ben Skeen (New Zealand)