Australia coach Michael Cheika was unapologetic for his team’s approach in their World Cup quarter-final defeat to England and would not be drawn on his future, urging fans to be patient.
One of the many talking points heading into Saturday's clash between old rivals concerned the future of both coaches, with the general feeling being that the loser would be unlikely to stay in their role moving forward.
Inevitably quizzed over his plans after the 40-16 loss in Oita, an irate Cheika, who has been in charge of the Wallabies since 2014, said: "It is a cruel, cruel world nowadays when you are asking that question two minutes after we've been knocked out of the World Cup.
”And if you find it inside you, to find a little bit of compassion for people who are hurting, to just ask the more relevant questions, because I will tell you, I came here with only one thought in my mind about winning here and that thought has just disappeared now.
"I know that is what the papers demand but perhaps whatever your news outlet is should think about people's feelings just for a minute.
"When the time comes I'll tell them.
"They don't need to know today. It's not going to kill them.”
