Wallabies ready to put 'crushing' Wales World Cup defeat behind them

Sun, Jun 30, 2024, 9:29 AM
Nathan Williamson
by Nathan Williamson
Nick Frost is looking to bury the demons from Lyon. Photo: Getty Images
Nick Frost is looking to bury the demons from Lyon. Photo: Getty Images

The Wallabies are eager to bury September's World Cup defeat as they prepare to face Wales in Sydney.

The 40-6 defeat in Lyon was the largest loss in World Cup history for the Wallabies and all but ended their campaign.

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It left several players inconsolable on the ground after the full-time whistle, including lock Nick Frost, who was embracing the clean slate in 2024.

"That was quite crushing but a lot of that is in the past. That was disappointing individually and as a collective and what it meant for us as a team and for us as a nation," Frost reflected to the media.

"I think a lot of the boys used (the disappointment) in Super Rugby seasons and there was a bit of a disappointment with how we performed.

"This year it's our best foot forward, it's a clean slate with the new coaching staff and everything. We're really looking forward to just ripping in and respecting Wales.

"They touched us up, let's be frank, last time so we're really looking forward to ripping in and having a good shot against them."

Frost relishes working under coaching legends such as Laurie Fisher and Mike Cron.

Fisher moulded Frost during his time at the Brumbies and the towering lock was loving learning from the 'Dad's Army' that coach Joe Schmidt has created.

"He (Cron) joked the other day they've got Dad's Army coaching with all the old fellas in there," Frost said with a smile.

"He's (Cron) got a humble, down-to-earth approach and he's been around the traps. He's very experienced and as a forward, it's going to be pretty good to learn a lot off him."

Frost is one of two second-rowers with Test experience, joined by potential debutants Angus Blyth, Ryan Smith and Jeremy Williams.

"There are a lot of fresh faces, but most of the boys have known each other through Super or even through playing club or school Rugby together," he added.

"We've had four or five days with each other before and then leading into this week, everyone's excited. You don't have to be together for a massive period of time (to gel) but we're keen to rip in and we're looking forward to this weekend."

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