Ashley-Cooper targets follow up success against Wales

Andrew Baldock 06:30 05/10/2015
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  • Star showing: Ashley-Cooper.

    Adam Ashley-Cooper insists that Australia will not get ahead of themselves after dumping England out of the World Cup and underlining their own title credentials.

    The Wallabies return to Twickenham on Saturday for a Pool A decider against Wales with the winners are likely to secure a last-eight clash against Scotland or Japan, while the losers face a probable appointment with South Africa.

    “In every game we play we build on that self-belief. There is a lot of it in the team, but we haven’t won anything yet,” Wallabies wing Ashley-Cooper said.

    “We are gaining a lot of confidence with the wins, but we don’t want to get too far ahead of ourselves. We have got a big Test match against Wales coming up, and then a quarter-final after that.

    “We all want to be world champions and it is a matter of improving each day. It was a special win, but as soon as Monday comes we will be preparing for Wales.

    “They play an expansive game off good ball from the forwards and I am expecting both teams to throw the ball around and really use the combinations both teams have in their back-lines.”

    Wales have lost their 10 Tests against Australia – seven of those defeats were by six points or less – which suggests the Wallabies have a clear edge.

    Ashley-Cooper added: “We have had a good run against Wales, but anything can happen. A lot of results in this tournament have proved that. From my World Cup experience, finishing top of your pool is very important.”

    Fly-half Bernard Foley amassed 28 points, including two tries, while centre Matt Giteau administered the final blow by touching down during the closing minutes as England were crushed 33-13.

    “We knew their backs were against the wall and we needed to match their physicality and that desperation,” Ashley-Cooper said. “The key to the game was starting well and we certainly did that. We got a lot of momentum and we closed out a very good win. At the moment we are a good team, but we want to be a great team.”

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