Oita (Japan) (AFP)

Maladie point in the first half during his two World Cup matches against Fiji and Wales, Australia intends to apply from the kick-off against Uruguay on Saturday (07:15 French, 05.15 GMT) ) to Oita.

Why did the Wallabies start badly against the Fijians (12-14 at the break), before winning 39-21, and against the Welsh (8-23), against which they could not catch up (defeat 29-25)? "Maybe we're too impatient and should just build a little more and show a little more restraint," said scrum half Nic White.

Michael Cheika has also thought about the thing since the Welsh backhand, which forces the Australians to fight for 2nd place in Pool D. "There must be a history of concentration in there," said the Australian coach.

Opener Bernard Foley has notably passed through, and his replacement by Matt Toomua coincided with the revival of the Australians against the Welsh. Result, it is Christian Lealiifano who returns in front and recovers the N.10 against the Teros.

"Christian has shown himself well in the test-matches this year," confirmed Cheika not to mention Toomua, "very good late in the game" and rewarded with a tenure at the center.

N.12 will have the pleasure of seeing his "cousin" Jordan Petaia, with whom he has family ties, start at his side. High hopes of Australian rugby, the Queensland Reds winger will finally make his international debut, delayed by injuries. At 19, he will become the youngest Australian player in the World Cup.

"We'll give him time to adjust and see how he feels," Cheika said. "With Dane (Haylett-Petty) and Kurtley (Beale), he will have two experienced players by his side."

Under the spell of their nugget, the Australians must not lose sight of the essential: the defeat is prohibited against Uruguay, which created the first surprise of this World Cup against Fiji (30-27).

"It's a match to life to death," White said. "We really have a lot of respect for them, they play with real passion," said the scrum half, who said the Wallabies must be "ready for anything." Their rugby is pretty unpredictable.

© 2019 AFP