James Horwill, the captain of the Wallabies, aims to use the upcoming third-place playoff against Wales on Friday as an opportunity for a degree of redemption after the disappointment of their semifinal loss to the All Blacks in the World Cup.
Typically, the bronze match is the least eagerly awaited event at the World Cup, featuring two semifinal losers at the conclusion of an arduous tournament, with no trophy at stake.
In the inaugural World Cup of 1987, Wales shocked Australia in a similar match after the Wallabies lost to France in the semifinals.
Wales did not make it back to the semifinals until this year, while Australia celebrated World Cup victories in 1991 and ’99.
“The fact remains that we’ve fallen just short against a very strong New Zealand team,” Horwill stated on Monday. Yet, “it’s beneficial that we’re playing again so soon.”
“One can focus on these setbacks, but the reality is in four days, we have the chance to don the jersey and conclude the tournament positively, and that motivates us. We aspire to finish this tournament correctly, and that means finishing third.”
Injuries are affecting the Wallabies, with prop Sekope Kepu, lock Dan Vickerman, center Pat McCabe, and hooker Stephen Moore all suffering injuries during Sunday’s 20-6 defeat to the All Blacks, potentially joining fullback Kurtley Beale on the sidelines.
Australia’s coach, Robbie Deans, anticipated adjustments to the starting lineup for the match against Wales, who will be without their captain Sam Warburton after the flanker received a red card for a dangerous tackle in the narrow 9-8 semifinal defeat to France.
“There will very likely be changes, simply due to the toll on the core group,” said Deans. “There are some quite battered bodies.”
He refrained from discussing specific alterations or whether Quade Cooper would be included in the starting lineup after lackluster performances in the knockout rounds, merely mentioning that he had to “manage the fit players and make decisions from there.”
Deans remarked that the Wallabies could not deem the World Cup a success due to the semifinal defeat, but emphasized the importance of ending on a winning note.
“It feels good to have the chance to play once more. Players reaching the semifinals are quite excited about what’s ahead,” he mentioned. “Yet losing also brings devastation.”
“The opportunity to step back onto the field and overcome that disappointment is, perhaps, a positive aspect.”