Wallabies must live up to rating, says Aussie chief O’Neill

AUSTRALIAN Rugby Union chief executive John O’Neill has called on the Wallabies to start living up to their reputation.

Coach Eddie Jones has brought in Lote Tuqiri for Joe Roff on the left wing and Stirling Mortlock for Matt Burke at centre in attack-minded changes for the quarter-final against Scotland in Brisbane on Saturday.

And O'Neill believes it is time the Wallabies met the expectations of the Australian public.

"If this team's got the ability to win the World Cup we're going to find out very soon," said O'Neill.

"At this level you can't make excuses for dropped balls, unforced errors.

"This is a professional game, players are highly paid, they're trained as well as we can possibly provide for them."

O'Neill believes the inclusion of Roff and Tuqiri is a crucial step towards Australia retaining the World Cup as they possess some unique talents.

"The selectors had to think long and hard about Joe Roff, a great player, a huge contributor to Australian rugby it was a very difficult decision.

"Tuqiri is absolutely raring to go. From my observations from afar he's been destined to get into the run-on team and Stirling Mortlock, if he's back to his best, is a game-breaker."

After surviving a major scare in the 17-16 victory over Ireland, the simple fact as far as O'Neill is concerned is that it is time for the Wallabies to show they are in the mood to defend the crown they won four years ago.

"It's time to actually put it together," he said.

"If you really want to be up there with England, New Zealand, and South Africa it's one thing to be forced into an error by the pressure and commitment of the opposition, but if the mistakes are of you're own making you have to ask the question.

"Their preparation, training and fitness levels are fantastic.

"Their execution let them down on Saturday night (against Ireland) and other things like their line-out and scrum let them down."

Jones has also made an important change on the bench, where Justin Harrison has been preferred to Daniel Vickerman.

Harrison's line-out prowess is impressive, and that could be a valuable asset against the highly-rated Scottish unit.

Australia lost five of their line-out throws in the win over Ireland in the final pool match last week, and Jones is anxious to avoid a similar scenario against Scotland.

"We've got to improve our line-out work and our wide breakdown work and those are two areas we're sure that Scotland will target us in.

"We need Justin's line-out experience for those crucial parts of the second-half."