Wallaby boss makes plea to ref

Australia coach Eddie Jones has launched a psychological arrow at Argentina by urging referee Paul Honiss to clean up the tackle area in tomorrow’s sell-out World Cup opener.

Jones is under pressure after a string of poor results in the build-up to the competition and is facing almost certain dismissal if the Wallabies fail to reach next month’s final.

He knows a clean-cut victory over the Pumas is required to silence the critics and the best way of achieving that is to ensure his side can recycle the ball quickly to the back division, where his side holds a significant advantage.

So, he has called on well respected Kiwi Honiss to clamp down on any infringements aimed at slowing down Wallaby possession and ignore the need for an opening night spectacle.

“The referee is there to enforce the laws, not create a spectacle,” he said.

“The outcome of tomorrow’s game could well depend on its structure and the referee has total control of that.

“The two things you look for in any game are a contest and continuity. If we get proper officiating in the tackle area we will get the right balance. If we don’t the structure will favour the contest and that will favour teams who rely on defending.

“Paul has a reputation for being diligent around the tackle area and getting players away. If he does that tomorrow night we will only have a small number of scrums, if he doesn’t we will probably have about 35 and they will be hugely significant.”

Jones knows if the latter scenario unfolds his side will face problems and one-cap prop Al Baxter will be given a rigorous examination of his talents.

“Psychologically Argentina see the scrum as the focal point of the way they play,” he added.

“They pride themselves on their ability to dominate in that area.”

Argentina’s emergence as a genuine world force has been built around their mighty pack and though they have excellent half-backs in former Bristol pairing Agustin Pichot and Felipe Contepomi, their skills are certain to be used in cementing a safety-first 10-man game which could frustrate the hosts.

On a strict form line through their most recent visit to South Africa, the Pumas should be regarded as favourites having lost by just a single point in Port Elizabeth in June, a month before the Wallabies went down 26-22 at Newlands.

Those results should be taken in isolation though. Australia recovered from that loss to defeat the Springboks at home while Argentina, while also registering two home wins over France this year have rarely performed as well away from South America and have to trawl back to 1983 for their only victory on Australian soil.

What will be of interest though, especially to Pool A rivals Ireland, is whether either side registers the first bonus point in a World Cup, on offer for scoring four tries or losing by seven points or less, which could be the determining factor in who advances to the last eight.

For an Australian public used to basking in sporting success, even in rugby union which still trails Aussie Rules and rugby league in popularity, nothing less than a win will do.

With millions invested in the opening ceremony celebrations alone, Jones knows his side need to explode some fireworks of their own if the whole event is not to turn into a damp squib, although he is confident they will rise to the challenge.

“If we are not in the mood, we are going to be in trouble,” he said.

“Argentina’s recent form has been impeccable and we are anticipating a tough, physical game.

“But we know what their strengths are, so hopefully we can exploit their weaknesses. We have done a lot of work since the end of the Tri-Nations trying to ensure that we can continue to execute our game plan under extreme pressure.

“Now we have the chance to put it into a game situation. We know what the expectations are and we know what a high-profile encounter tomorrow night will be.

“But we can’t concern ourselves with that. It is not our responsibility to make the tournament big. All we are interested in is winning the game.”