Australia regroup after Irish loss

Although still smarting from their 15-6 loss to Ireland on Saturday, Australia have turned their focus to getting their Rugby World Cup 2011 campaign back on track against USA on Friday.

Australia are second in Pool C, three points behind Ireland (8) and one ahead of USA (4), who go into the match at Wellington Regional Stadium with an extra two days' rest over Australia.

A loss to either the USA or Russia in their next two pool matches would likely end the Wallabies' campaign before the quarter-finals, where a possible clash with defending champions South Africa awaits.

However, the chastened Wallabies are refusing to entertain thoughts of the quarter-finals.

"I think if we did start looking that far ahead then we may not be facing them (South Africa)," said wing Drew Mitchell.

"After the weekend's performance we really need to just focus on the US. We'd be pretty naive to look any further than the US."

Fell short

Hooker Tatafu Polota-Nau said no-one within the team was shirking responsibility for the Ireland defeat.

"Collectively as a team, we knew that we fell short and that's a great sign. Because I think if anyone individually said they played well then they'd definitely be kidding themselves," he said.

"We just have to make sure that, come the USA, we're ready to rock and roll."

Centre Rob Horne, who is yet to play a RWC 2011 match, is hoping to get a chance against USA and said he would not care if it was wet or dry in Wellington on match day.

"I couldn't care less, mate. We'd play in a car park I reckon," he said.

Australia held an open training session in front of about 200 fans on Monday afternoon.

Several players, including flanker David Pocock (back), Digby Ioane (hand) and captain James Horwill (shoulder) sat out the session, but a team spokesman said Ioane was the only major injury in the camp.