Thursday 8 October 2015 22:50, UK
Wales boss Warren Gatland has hit out at the media attacks on England counterpart Stuart Lancaster in the past two weeks.
Host nation England crashed out of the tournament last Saturday after just three games and 16 days following a crushing 33-13 loss to Australia.
England skipper Chris Robshaw rejected a late, potentially equalising penalty chance in favour of an attacking lineout when Wales won 28-25 at Twickenham 12 days ago.
And although that decision proved costly, Gatland believes there has been over-reaction from the media towards Lancaster.
"I think there has been a bit of assassination by the media, really," Gatland said, as he prepares his squad for Saturday's Pool A decider against Australia at Twickenham
"It's one kick. If they had potentially taken those three points, well, I don't think all this would have been the same.
At the end of the day, we are all in this together, aren't we? We all understand the pressures of professional sport and what you have to deal with.
"I rang Stuart during the week and left a message, and he texted me back and said he appreciated the support.
"At the end of the day, I said to him I gave him a call to give him that support and just hope he's okay, and more importantly, him and his family. To me, that's more important than the rugby.
"At the end of the day, we are all in this together, aren't we? We all understand the pressures of professional sport and what you have to deal with."
Wales have not beaten Australia since 2008, but a victory this weekend- would secure a quarter-final against Scotland or Japan.
A win for the Wallabies, though, and Wales will find themselves facing twice world champions South Africa in the last eight next week.
"We are desperate to win this game, as win this group and potentially your road through to quarters, semis and final is a little bit easier than the other side of the draw," Gatland said.
"We are desperate to finish off well and win this group, and hopefully give ourselves potentially a second seed team in the quarter-finals.
"The last five times against Australia there has been a score in it. We've been ahead in games and not been able to finish it off.
"You learn from that, and experience comes from that and it showed in the autumn against South Africa. We closed that game down, and were brilliant in the last 15 minutes against England, coming from behind and showing maturity to close that game down."
