Just another step: Wallabies coach shrugs off devastating win over England

Michael Cheika has made taking one game at a time the underpinning theme of Australia’s World Cup, so there was little surprise that he brushed off a devastatingly brutal victory over England as "just another step".

The Australia coach could have been forgiven a hearty celebration having emerged from the fevered atmosphere of a hostile Twickenham with a record-breaking 33-13 win that moved them safely into the quarter-finals.

But that would have been wholly out of character with the measured calm he has adopted throughout a coaching career where his understated mantras focus on small steps and minor improvements.

"Obviously we are very pleased," he said. "It wasn’t perfect. There were still a lot of areas that I think we can improve on and it is just another step along the way in the pool.

"It is a very difficult pool and we are very pleased with the result and the commitment of the players. We will be asking for more of that going forward."

What Cheika described as ’just another step’, was in fact a giant leap into the last eight, with their final pool match against Wales next Saturday, now a battle to decide who finishes top rather than the sudden death knockout it could have been.

Avoiding a likely quarter-final against South Africa and a possible semi against New Zealand is the incentive on offer for the victor in next week’s Twickenham clash.

"At the end of the day, the pool score will be the pool score," said Cheika, whose coaching career has included successful spells at Leinster, Stade Francais and the Waratahs.