By Darren Walton
England's shock Rugby World Cup loss to a depleted Wales has massive ramifications for the so-called Pool of Death, with the Wallabies now also under extreme pressure.
Wales' famous 28-25 victory has raised the stakes yet higher for Saturday's showdown between England and Australia at Twickenham.
While England would face almost certain extinction with another defeat at the home of rugby, the Wallabies are also feeling the heat and will now likely need to negotiate the group matches undefeated to make the knockout stages.
Assuming none of the big three in the group drop a match to Fiji or Uruguay, Australia's best-case scenario should they lose to England would be collecting two bonus points in any defeat of less than seven points.
But that would still leave the Wallabies needing a four-try bonus-point victory over Wales in their last pool match at Twickenham on October 10 to guarantee a quarter-final spot.
Their failure to nab a bonus point in the three-try win over Fiji in their tournament opener is looking increasingly costly.
Fiji loom as the wildcard who could save the Wallabies - and potentially England too - from an embarrassing pool-stage exit.
The Fijians take on Wales in Cardiff on Thursday and an upset over the injury-ravaged Red Dragon would only further complicate the Pool of Death.
Should Australia, England and Wales split their three meetings with a one apiece and all three sides finish with the same amount of competition points, a countback will determine which two qualify for the knockout stages.
The teams with the best points differential will advance.
AFP