Live Commentary: Australia 65-3 Uruguay - as it happened

Good morning and welcome to Sports Mole's live text commentary of Australia vs. Uruguay from Pool A of the Rugby World Cup. After last night's clash, Wales are firmly in the driving seat for qualification to the quarter-finals, but Australia are overwhelming favourites for this clash and to top the pool.

Wales fans - feeling rough after last night? England fans - still getting over that penalty? How about some rugby to take your mind off your very different pains this morning. Australia have named a changed lineup for today's clash, with coach Michael Cheika presumably seeing a win today as a formality. Let's take a look at the teams.

AUSTRALIA STARTING XV: Sio, Polota-Nau, Smith, Mumm, Skelton, McCalman, McMahon, Palu; Phipps, Cooper, Mitchell, Toomua, Speight, Tomane, Beale

AUSTRALIA REPLACEMENTS: Moore, Kepu, Holmes, Douglas, Simmons, Genia, Foley, Kuridrani

URUGUAY STARTING XV: Sanguinetti, Kessler, Sagario, Vilaseca, Lamanna, De Freitas, Beer, Gaminara; Ormaechea, Berchesi, Silva, Vilaseca, Prada, Leivas, Mieres

URUGUAY REPLACEMENTS: Klappenbach, O. Duran, Arboleya, Nieto, Magno, Bascou, A. Duran, Roman

Australia were not particularly blistering against Fiji in their last clash, and the Wallabies will know they must up their game with Wales and England both hoping to qualify on home turf.

Cheika has made 14 changes from the side that faced Fiji. Former Exeter Chiefs man Dean Mumm will captain the side, while Nick Phipps and Quade Cooper form the half-back pairing.

After Wednesday's match with Fiji, Australia flanker Michael Hooper spoke exclusively to Sports Mole on the difficulty of that match and the tournament as a whole.

"They were a quality team to play against first half. It shows just how hard this competition is going to be to win. It is purely game by game for us; taking the points as they come. We will now focus on Uruguay," Hooper said.

Australian changes or otherwise, Uruguay face a very tough ask if they are to take anything from today's match, but one man who caught the eye against Wales was Felipe Berchesi. The fly-half scored his side's nine points with three penalties, and his success with the boot saw Uruguay take an unlikely lead over their opponents after 10 minutes.

Kickoff is less than 10 minutes away at a sunny Villa Park.

So this game comes from Pool A which, as you know, has been branded the 'group of death' and with good reason. England fans will certainly echo that sentiment today, and the hosts will probably need to beat Australia next weekend if they are to progress in the tournament. The Wallabies' 14 changes today will keep the squad fresh, whereas the Red Rose could be tired after last night's clash with Wales. Every advantage counts in the Rugby World Cup.

Of course, if Australia slip up today then the Pool will open up for both host nations to aim for qualification. That is a big 'if', but nothing is impossible.

The national anthems are being sung loud and proud at Villa Park, and kickoff is just moments away.

KICKOFF! Uruguay get proceedings under way.

Australia starting the match well, running in some decent phases before Cooper hoists a kick towards the corner - but the fly-half sends it too far and Uruguay have a scrum in the Australian half.

Uruguay do well to emerge from the scrum with the ball, but after a few phases Leivas loses out and the Wallabies win the ball back.

Should have been an Australia try! The Wallabies take a quick lineout and Beale collects the ball, before using his pace to run 50 metres. He tries to find Mitchell on his right with the tryline approaching, but his teammate drops the ball! Big let-off for Uruguay.

Wales used the rolling maul to devastating effect against Uruguay last week, and Australia must have been watching! From a lineout, the maul makes some good yards, before McMahon collects and scores his side's first try on the left wing.

CONVERSION MISSED! The angle was just too much to ask for Quade Cooper to convert, so the Wallabies have a five-point lead.

Make that a 12-point lead! From kickoff, McMahon leads a swift attack, before Cooper launches a kick, and Tomane collects to score the second try on the right flank. This time Cooper can convert - lightening start for Australia.

Uruguay settle things down with a few phases, and then get a chance to attack after intercepting, but Vilaseca knocks on and Australia have a scrum.

Uruguay are putting some good pressure on Australia now, and the crowd at Villa Park are fully behind them. Berchesi puts a good kick forward, and Sagario drives closer to the tryline. Quade Cooper could be punished for a high tackle on the man, we await the decision from the TMO.

YELLOW CARD! Cooper is sent to the sin bin, and Uruguay have a man advantage for the next 10 minutes.

Uruguay using the power of the maul to move towards the tryline, but the ball cannot come out and Australia are let off. 16 minutes in at Villa Park and, three minutes aside, Uruguay have been more than a match for the Wallabies. With a man advantage, can they get something before half time?

Lineout for Uruguay in a decent position, but Vilaseca knocks on and Australia get a scrum.

Speight sprints down field to launch an attack, he looks for his fellow centre Toomua but Uruguay make a try-saving interception.

Penalty to Uruguay, as Toomua produces a high tackle on Ormaechea. Australia look deadly with their pace, but their game management has been lacking so far.

Scrum for Uruguay, and they are awarded a penalty, which Ormaechea takes quickly. Uruguay lose the ball though, and are unable to take advantage of their decent position.

Another Uruguay penalty after a late tackle, and Berchesi will go for the three points.

Berchesi takes his World Cup tally to 12 points.

Australia are back to 15 men now as Quade Cooper returns from the sin bin. Uruguay had a lot of possession during the spell, but only have three points to show for it, and it feels like an opportunity missed for the underdogs.

CONVERSION MISSED! Right on cue, yes Uruguay did miss an opportunity. Captain for the day and new father Mumm adds Australia's third try of the afternoon, but Cooper misses the kick. Cooper not having a particularly great day so far.

Ormachaea produces a terrific offload for Silva in the Australian half, but the Uruguayan loses the ball.

Poor Uruguay lineout, as Australia emerge with the ball and look to attack. Cooper with some quick hands allows the Wallabies to progress with pace, before Henry Speight finds the ball on the left and scores at the corner.

Cooper makes no mistake this time. And, with that try, Australia have the bonus point.

Great kick from Ormachaea! Cooper collects the ball, but the fly-half is put into touch with the tackle. The referee gives Australia a penalty though, as the Uruguayan chase was offside. Unfortunate that for Uruguay, who were in a very inviting position.

From the penalty, Quade Cooper puts a neat pass inside to Ben McCalman, who scores under the posts. Cooper cannot miss with the conversion, and he doesn't.

Berchesi breaks an Australian tackle, but Sean McMahon produces a crucial ankle tap to halt his progress. Uruguay still have the ball in the Australian half though.

Penalty for Uruguay as Tomane doesn't release from the tackle, and Berchesi finds the corner with the kick. Can Uruguay add five points before half time?

From the lineout, the rolling maul, but it collapses and Uruguay cannot release the ball. Australia scrum with less than a minute to go before the break.

Ormachaea picks the ball up from the scrum and looks to launch a quick attack, but the referee flags it up.

Half time at Villa Park and Australia are in cruise control, leading 31-3 after scoring five tries. Uruguay have never looked out of the match - Ormachaea and Berchesi have performed well - but they were unable to take advantage of Quade Cooper's yellow card, while the Wallabies look frighteningly good when going forward.

Find out how the first half unfolded with Sports Mole's half time report here.

Here are some stats that paint an interesting picture. Australia have made 346 metres compared to Uruguay's 129, have made nine breaks to Uruguay's two, and produced seven offloads to Uruguay's three. Uruguay have had more territorial advantage however (55%) and more possession (54%) than the Wallabies. Australia have been deadly going forwards, moving towards the tryline with pace, but Uruguay have been well in the match and those numbers back that up.

Nevertheless, the stat that counts is the one on the scoreboard. Australia have their bonus point with a 31-3 lead.

After their clash with Fiji, Australia's Will Genia spoke exclusively to Sports Mole about how his team must continue to work hard. Will we see that work ethic in the second half, or will the Wallabies take their foot off the gas?

"We now have to make sure we look at the things we did well, and also improve on the things we didn't do quite so well. In that respect it was a game of two halves, but we will continue to make sure that we work hard," Genia said.

The players are emerging back onto the pitch at Villa Park, and the action will return shortly.

RESTART Australia get proceedings under way.

REPLACEMENTS! A couple of changes after the break, as Simmons comes on for Skelton for the Wallabies, and Arboleya replaces Kessler for Uruguay.

Uruguay have an early penalty, and Ormachaea kicks for the corner.

Beer collects the lineout and Uruguay attempt a rolling maul. The ball escapes, and Uruguay put pressure on the Australian line. Uruguay need to keep this tidy.

Uruguay can't break Australia down though and they lose possession, but they win it back on the 22 and Berchesi finds the corner with a kick.

All Uruguay so far in the second half, but Australia are doing a good job of keeping their opponents out, and they win a penalty. Cooper hoists it to the Uruguayan 22 metre line.

From the lineout, Mitchell steps away from his man and scores another try for the Wallabies near the posts. Kick to come.

CONVERSION MISSED! Well, I said it was near the posts, it wasn't directly under them but a player with the quality of Quade Cooper should not have missed that. Cooper having a bad afternoon at Villa Park all things considered.

Better from Cooper, who spins a superb pass out to Mitchell on the left wing. Tough kick to come though, but Australia are home and hosed with half an hour to spare.

CONVERSION MISSED! Cooper misses his fourth of seven conversion attempts this afternoon, but this one was very tough. Kicking duties will be passed on for the England match you'd expect.

REPLACEMENT! Kepu replaces Sio for Australia.

REPLACEMENTS! Uruguay make two changes, as Oscar Duran replaces Sanguinetti, and Klappenbach comes on for Sagario.

Skelton receiving treatment after a heavy challenge, and there's a break in play.

REPLACEMENTS! Kane Douglas comes on for Skelton, who cannot continue, while Uruguay make two more changes - Nieto for De Freitas and Magno for Lamanna.

Both sides have made a number of changes in the last few minutes, and the sting has been taken out of the match somewhat. Uruguay have a scrum in their own half.

Australia win the ball from it, but McCalman drops it, and Uruguay have another scrum.

Sharp handling form the Australian backs, as Simmons breaks for the first phase, before Cooper finds Beale inside, who makes a great pass for McCalman on the left wing for his second try.

Better from Cooper, and Australia lead by 45.

Oscar Duran is receiving treatment and there's a break in play, before the big man gets back up for a scrum.

Uruguay win the ball from the Australian head and feed, but the referee halts play as the ball is sprayed out to the wing. Australian penalty, and Cooper makes some yards.

Lineout for Uruguay after Toomua throws the ball into touch, but Australia intercept it and launch a swift break through Speight and Tomane on the right.

Cooper switches play onto the left, but Australia knock on at a tackle, and Uruguay get a scrum in their own half.

Simple stuff from the Australian pack, who overpower Uruguay after a lineout with a maul towards the tryline, before McMahon carries the ball over the line.

CONVERSION MISSED! Cooper misses another kick, but it was from the touch. Maybe the bagpipe player put him off? Bagpipes are supposed to be banned at the tournament, but someone has smuggled one in at Villa Park!

CONVERSION MISSED! Great play from Australia, as Cooper dances around the Uruguayan defence before finding Beale, who delays the pass for Toomua to score the try. Cooper misses another conversion attempt.

That try brings the Wallabies to 10 for the afternoon.

Uruguay have a penalty in the Australian half. They kick for the corner.

Uruguay lose the lineout that follows, but win the ball back near the tryline. They almost get the ball over the line, but are held up.

Uruguay have a scrum five metres out.

Uruguay are still five metres out as they are awarded a penalty. The ball finds touch, and the pack gets ready for a big lineout. Can they score a try?

No, they lose the lineout and Australia bring the ball out.

REPLACEMENTS! Uruguay bring Bascou, Alejo Duran and Roman on for Gaminara, Berchesi and Vilaseca, while Australia replace Toomua with Kuridrani.

Regulation time is over, but Australia add one last try through the substitute Kuridrani, who scores in the corner. Kick to come.

14 changes made by the Wallabies, but they have run out very comfortable winners against Uruguay today - job done as far as Michael Cheika is concerned, and with the biggest score of the tournament so far.

That's all we have time for with the action from Villa Park. Read how all the action unfolded with Sports Mole's match report here, and stick with us for coverage of Scotland vs. USA from Elland Road next.