For the Welsh, hardly more dashing than their opponents before the start of the competition, it is an unexpected breath of fresh air that could extend until the semi-finals. In the quarters, they will probably cross swords with England, whom they have beaten once out of two in a warm-up match, or Argentina, who have been unconvincing since the beginning of the tournament.

But all eyes are turned tonight to the Wallabies, giants of world rugby, double world champions in 1991 and 1999, whose ordeal is still not over since they still have a group match to play, next Sunday in Saint-Etienne against Portugal before being able to return home.

A week that will seem like a year, they who have crossed this French World Cup like shadows, incredulous spectators of the incessant joust between the journalists of their country and their coach Eddie Jones, returned to their bedside in January, but who will probably not survive their shipwreck punctuated at Parc OL by a seventh defeat in eight games since he took over the reins of the team.

A week during which they will have all the time to indulge in apothecaries' calculations to dream of an improbable qualification, mathematically still possible.

Wrong choice

They will also be able to rehash this 26th minute of the first half that sounded the death knell of their slim hopes, and this collective decision, incomprehensible, to try a penalty, rather than take three points that were offered to them.

Wales fly-half Gareth Anscombe hits a penalty during his side's win over Australia in Group C of the Rugby World Cup match at Parc OL in Decines-Charpieu near Lyon, France, September 24, 2023 © SEBASTIEN BOZON / AFP

At this point in the game, picked cold in the 3rd minute by Wales and a try from scrum-half Gareth Davies, led 10-6, but overall dominating the proceedings, the Australians had the opportunity to come back to within one point of their opponents.

Instead, they lost their touch, found themselves in their camp after a Welsh clearance and were penalised in turn. Gareth Anscombe, who replaced Dan Biggar, who was out injured in the 13th minute, punished them: 13-6, instead of 10-9. From then on, Australia drowned, not scoring a single point.

The second half was a long descent into hell for the men of Eddie Jones, entangled on the morning of the meeting in yet another controversy with the Australian press for having passed a job interview with the Japanese federation even though he is engaged with the Australian body until 2027.

From hell, Wales is coming back. Before this World Cup, the Welsh have lost 15 times since 2022, including a humiliation against Georgia and an infamous penultimate place in the 2023 Tournament.

Welsh recipes

A sporting crisis concomitant with a financial crisis within their federation that Warren Gatland, their coach, returned to the rescue of the XV of the Leek in 2023, after having been the master builder between 2007 and 2019, has managed to curb.

Australia coach Eddie Jones before his side's defeat to Wales in the Rugby World Cup group match at Parc OL in Décines-Charpieu near Lyon, France, September 24, 2023 © SEBASTIEN BOZON / AFP

For this, the New Zealander applied the same recipes of Welsh successes - four Six Nations, including three Grand Slams - in the previous decade.

A hermetic defense, a sovereign pack capable of advancing on balls carried, offenses close, without taking risks, and a striker, Anscombe, man of the match, gravedigger of the Australians, thanks to his 23 points scored.

40-6, the biggest win in Welsh history over Australia. After their defeat to Fiji, it is another historic setback for the Wallabies. Don't throw it away.

© 2023 AFP