Australia coach Michael Cheika praised his side’s resilience in wrapping up their World Cup pool campaign with a 15-6 win over Wales on Saturday.
In a match where neither side managed a try, Australia prevented Wales from scoring at all in the second half — even when reduced to 13 men for a time when scrum-half Will Genia and lock Dean Mumm were both in the sin-bin.
Their 11th victory in a row over Wales saw Australia top Pool A and show the extent of their all-round game following last week’s more free-flowing 33-13 win over England.
“I’m happy we won, it was a different type of game,” said Cheika.
“We had to show a different skin,” added the coach, parachuted into the Australia post last year following the resignation of Ewen McKenzie.
“There were plenty of imperfections again and it was 13 men only for eight minutes not 80.
“But the team’s been working hard since we got together last year.
“If you’re intent is there, sometimes it can happen for you. I’m very proud of the lads, it was a difficult situation, and their resilience.”
Asked if he preferred Saturday’s success to the Wallabies’ win over England, Cheika replied: “I liked tonight’s win because as a forward, and not a very talented one, it was just about getting stuck in.
“If they say that behind every good man is a good woman, behind every attack is a great defence,” added Cheika, whose side face Scotland in the quarter-finals.
Australia captain Stephen Moore insisted there was no great secret to the way his side kept Wales at bay.
“The guys just did their jobs,” said the hooker. “It is not complicated.”