Within 80 minutes, the script flipped for Australia\u2019s World Cup campaign as an emotional and energetic Fiji secured arguably their greatest win at rugby\u2019s centrepiece event.<\/p>\n
As dazzling as Fiji were, it was a forgettable night for the Wallabies, with ill-discipline \u2013 Australia conceded 18 penalties \u2013 and elementary errors ruining their chances of reversing a 12-8 half-time deficit.<\/p>\n
An opening 35-15 win against Georgia was satisfying, after a poor couple of months, but the loss to Fiji in Saint-Etienne blurs Australia\u2019s path to the last eight.<\/p>\n
Jones has been bullish about Australia\u2019s chances of winning the World Cup, despite five consecutive losses before the tournament. He now has the tag of being in charge of a Wallabies team that lost to Fiji for the first time in 69 years.<\/p>\n
Jones wasn\u2019t born the last time Fiji tasted success against the Wallabies in 1954, an 18-16 result at the SCG.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
James Slipper after the Wallabies\u2019 loss to Fiji at the World Cup in France.<\/span>Credit: <\/span>AP<\/cite><\/p>\n At his post-match press conference, Jones was far less positive than he has been previously this year.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re doing our absolute best and I apologise,\u201d Jones said. \u201cIt\u2019s my fault. I take full responsibility for it.<\/p>\n \u201cAfter that, I probably deserved more [criticism from the crowd]. They should be throwing baguettes, croissants at me. I deserve whatever I get.<\/p>\n \u201cIt definitely hurts me personally, 100 per cent. I\u2019m 100 per cent responsible for it. I do remember South Africa lost a game and won a World Cup [in 2019], so funny things have happened.\u201d<\/p>\n Australia have tasted victory in just one of their seven Tests this year. When combining Jones\u2019 most recent Test results as coach of Australia and England, he has four wins from his past 16 Tests.<\/p>\n A small positive for the Wallabies is they came away from Saint-Etienne with a bonus point for getting within seven points of Fiji.<\/p>\n Frank Lomani\u2019s late penalty attempt, off the back of a dominant Fiji scrum, went to the left.<\/p>\n Eddie Jones during a training session in Saint-Etienne.<\/span>Credit: <\/span>Getty<\/cite><\/p>\n \u201cIt could be massively important,\u201d Jones said. \u201cAs disappointing as our performance was today, we get a point out of it.\u201d<\/p>\n After two matches, Australia and Fiji are tied for second in Pool C on six points, with Wales on 10 points.<\/p>\n The top two teams go through to the quarter-finals. Australia need to beat Wales to have any chance of progressing and, even then, depending on bonus points, it is not guaranteed.<\/p>\n A loss to Wales would all but send the Wallabies home, for the first time in 10 World Cup campaigns, before the quarter-finals.<\/p>\n Asked if Sunday\u2019s match in Lyon (Monday AEST) is do-or-die, Jones said: \u201cProbably so, if you do the figures. I think it will be. I\u2019ve got no doubt we\u2019ll get a response [from the players].<\/p>\n \u201cI was really pleased with the character our young team showed and, when Fiji is on the front foot in a fairly hostile environment, it would have been easy for our team to go away but they didn\u2019t.<\/p>\n \u201cThe great thing about the World Cup is it\u2019s not the end of the road. We\u2019ve got Wales next week, so we need to kick some stones tonight, work out where we can improve quickly and then get on with the game against Wales.<\/p>\n \u201cI think they\u2019ve gone back to a traditional style of Welsh play. A lot of the play comes off [Wales five-eighth Dan] Biggar. Their defence has improved and their lineout has improved. They\u2019ve made big changes in their game since Warren [Gatland, Wales coach] has taken charge. They\u2019ll be a tough team to beat.\u201d<\/p>\n Watch all the action from <\/b>Rugby World Cup 2023<\/b> on the Home of Rugby, Stan Sport. Every match streaming ad-free, live and in 4K UHD with replays, mini matches and highlights available on demand.<\/b><\/p>\n Sports news, results and expert commentary. <\/i><\/b>Sign up for our Sport newsletter<\/i><\/b>.<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n<\/p>\n
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