Having earlier this year suggested the Wallabies would launch a "smash and grab campaign" at the Rugby World Cup, coach Eddie Jones's plans are now in danger of being foiled at the first hurdle.
Never before have the Wallabies exited the tournament at the pool stage, but they are staring at that prospect following their 22-15 loss to Fiji in Saint-Étienne.
Their quarterfinal hopes are still alive for the moment, however Monday morning's result has heaped a mountain of pressure on the Australians ahead of their next pool match against unbeaten Wales in Lyon in a week's time.
A Welsh triumph would consign the Wallabies to a 1-2 win-loss record before their final pool match against Portugal.
Look back at how the action unfolded in our blog Five quick hits: penalties, squad questions and an important bonus point Such a scenario would require not just a win over the Portuguese but also the aid of bonus points and other results going their way if they are to have any chance of advancing to the last eight.
It is a position in which the Wallabies have never found themselves before at a World Cup.
While they recorded defeats in the pool stage at three previous editions, each time they were under no realistic threat of missing the knockout rounds. Now that they have their backs to the wall, the Wallabies only have themselves to blame.
Poor discipline cost them dearly in the Fiji defeat, as they were made to pay for a mammoth 18-7 penalty count against them.
Fiji converted from the kicking tee on five of those occasions through Simione Kuruvoli and Frank Lomani, building scoreboard pressure that the Wallabies could not overcome.
In fact, penalty goals proved the difference in the scoreline, as the Wallabies crossed for two tries to Fiji's one.
The inexperience of the Wallabies squad on the World Cup stage was laid bare in the build-up to Fiji's sole try, scored by Josua Tuisova just after half-time. A lack of communication between two of their younger squad members, Mark Nawaqanitawase and Carter Gordon, saw a Fijian box kick allowed to bounce, with Tuisova on hand to collect the crumbs before he galloped his way over the goal line.
It was a moment that best summed up the Wallabies' performance, with Jones admitting after the match that his side was a "poor version" of what it could be.
Story by Luke Pentony
Original story link: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-09-18/rugby-world-cup-australia-wallabies-defeat-fiji/102867856
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