Former Wallabies and NRL playmaker Mat Rogers has given the thumbs up to Wallabies coach Michael Cheika for picking the "calm head" of Waratah Bernard Foley for the No.10 jersey.
Foley left a lasting impression on Rogers, also a former Waratah, with his match-winning kick in last year's Super Rugby final against the Crusaders at ANZ Stadium that he also attended.
"Clearly under pressure, knocking that goal over took him to another level confidence wise," Rogers said on Friday.
With his 28-point game in Australia's win over England at Twickenham last Sunday, Rogers says Foley "has taken himself to another level again. He is our man in terms of being calm and cool in the middle."
"There are some other players who definitely have got flair, but there are times when flair is needed and there are times when a calm head is needed … and he has certainly got that."
Rogers has also been impressed by former Wallabies teammate Matt Giteau's return to the World Cup stage, saying his experience of 98 Tests is invaluable: "Having Giteau has helped to calm it all.
"At the last World Cup we didn't have that experienced head in the midfield and it showed. This year we do and hopefully it can all come together."
Rogers is also happy to see Giteau really enjoying his rugby since he left Australia in 2011 to play in France with Toulon after missing former Wallabies coach Robbie Deans' World Cup selection.
"It's sad he missed a World Cup due to a personality clash," Rogers said. "It definitely wasn't because of footballing inability."
Face in the crowd: NRL chief Dave Smith
If you see the face of National Rugby League chief executive Dave Smith in the packed crowd at Twickenham during the World Cup match between Australia and Wales on Sunday (2.45am AEDT), don't be surprised.
After all, the NRL chief who has just begun his annual holidays is Welsh and flew out from Sydney to England on Friday planning to attend the Test.
The NRL told Fairfax Media that the trip was a personal one at Smith's expense.
There was no word if he had packed a Welsh jersey into his baggage. Neither if he had recently been heard humming the Welsh national anthem - Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau [Old Land of My Fathers] – in the corridors of Rugby League Central at Moore Park.
What's doing Wallabies
One Wallaby overdue for praise and tipped to shine against Wales on Sunday is No.6 Scott Fardy, according to former Australian back-rower Phil Waugh.
"Someone who is not getting a lot of noise is Scott Fardy," Waugh said. "He is playing extremely well. He is strong in the lineout but also very strong over the ball."
Making news
'Cheika transforms Wallabies from chumps into champs' – In todayonline.com on how the Wallabies have changed under coach Michael Cheika.
'Rugby World Cup's beauty stems from minnows' minor triumphs' – In theguardian.com on how there is more to the World Cup than the tier-one nations.
They said it
"I don't think they can afford me," – Warren Gatland in walesonline.co.uk laughing off speculation he might replace England coach Stuart Lancaster.
"It wasn't the smartest thing I've done. It hurt a bit but I got caught in the moment. That was the first thing 'Cheik' said – he said it wasn't really smart" – Wallabies centre Matt Giteau in smh.com.au on his celebratory swan dive as he scored against England soon after a huge hit in the ribs by England's Owen Farrell.
What to watch
Saturday: New Zealand v Tonga – Newcastle (6am AEDT)
Sunday: Samoa v Scotland – Newcastle (12.30am AEDT); Australia v Wales – London (2.45am AEDT); England v Uruguay – Manchester (6am AEDT); Argentina v Namibia – Leicester (10pm AEDT).
