Australia will not be tempted into resting players for their quarter-final against Scotland, despite a handful of injury concerns from their win over Wales on Saturday.
The Wallabies were positive about the fate of their injured players after the win, when David Pocock’s night was ended early with a calf injury, Israel Folau re-aggravated his rolled ankle and inside centre Matt Giteau received treatment on the field.
Australia’s defence coach Nathan Grey said there would be no temptation to cocoon players against Scotland.
“I think it’s been pretty clear that we go full on every game we play,” he said.
“If you get the opportunity to wear that gold jersey, you take it and you cherish it.
“When the 23’s selected, we’ll be picking every gun we’ve got.
“We know at this stage of the competition it’s do or die.”
Grey was positive about Folau’s prognosis, with the fullback completing the team’s recovery session on Monday but walking with a noticeable limp.
“He pulled up better than last week .He did full recovery this morning, so things are fine there. He got a knock in his calf and came off so we’re just assessing that today.
The fate of Pocock is less certain, after the back rower suffered a bang to his calf in the Wales match.
“He got a knock on his calf and came off so we’re just assessing that today,” he said.
“We’re just going through the process with medicals and getting the treatment right.”
The Wallabies will be drawing out every possible advantage of an eight-day turnaround heading into their quarter-final against Scotland next Sunday afternoon, Grey said.
“Getting that extra day recovery is crucial,”he said.
“It was a very physical game, players felt that afterwards.
“Getting that extra day going into the Sunday now is really important and that was a bonus of being able to win the top of the pool that we got that extra day of recovery and we’re certainly going to use it.”
If either Pocock or Folau are ruled out, Australia will be able to call upon Kurtley Beale to play 15 and would likely be able to slot Ben McCalman into eight with the return of vice-captain Michael Hooper in openside, while Matt Toomua has been impressive when injected off the bench as well.
The Wallabies play Scotland at Twickenham on Monday, 2am AEDT for a spot in the tournament’s final four.
