Michael Cheika’s half-time blast pushes struggling Wallabies to warm-up win over USA
AUSTRALIA WRAPPED UP their World Cup preparations with a 47-10 victory over the United States in a hard-fought Test match at Soldier Field on Saturday.
A largely second string Wallabies side were made to work hard for the win by the American underdogs before running out convincing winners, outscoring their opponents by seven tries to one.
Fly-half Bernard Foley was the top scorer for the Australians, finishing with a 17-point haul with a try and six conversions.
After being held 14-10 at half-time, Australia pulled away with five unanswered second half tries in front of 23,112 fans.
Australia’s Kurtley Beale, gets to grips with with United States’ John Quill, right, during the second half. Source: Kamil Krzaczynski/AP/Press Association Images
Australia coach Michael Cheika voiced satisfaction at the Wallabies second half performance against a physical Eagles outfit.
“I expected nothing else other than a tough battle,” Cheika told reporters. “The USA are very much an improving side. They’re competing with the teams like Samoa, they’re moving up through the rankings.”
Cheika revealed his side improved after a half-time team talk.
It was Australia’s final game before they open their bid for a third World Cup crown against Fiji in Cardiff on September 23.
An entertaining first half saw Australia surge into comfortable early lead, with Foley and scrum-half Nick Phipps both dotting down for converted scores in the opening quarter.
Foley skipped over for the Wallabies first, jinking inside from close range to score under the posts.
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