Australian players were left "shattered" after World Rugby under-20 championship officials took the rare step of cancelling their crucial match against Ireland due to heavy rainfall.
After an upset loss to Italy, Australia entered Tuesday's game in Cape Town needing to beat Ireland to advance to the semi-finals.
But the pitch at Athlone Stadium was deemed unplayable and the teams were awarded two points apiece.
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That meant Ireland topped Pool B and advanced to the semis while Australia had to settle for second and a berth in the fifth to eighth playoff bracket.
Coach Nathan Grey, the former Wallabies centre, was livid.
"Bitterly disappointed for the players and the staff but the decision has been taken out of our hands and we don't get the opportunity to play Ireland and finish on top of our pool," Grey told RugbyPass.
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"We played two games of Rugby Championship in much worse conditions (on the Sunshine Coast) but a strong push from the Irish doctor seemed to work with World Rugby in cancelling the game."
Adding salt to the wound was the fact that the two games following Australia's at the venue – France vs Wales and South Africa vs England – went ahead as scheduled.
"The boys are shattered. We were very well prepared for this game and trained in worse conditions two days ago," Grey said.
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"It's an opportunity that has been taken out of their hands but I'm sure World Rugby are doing it for the right reasons, I just hope they are true…
"The conditions are fine. The surface water isn't that bad. Yeah it's boggy and wet but no worse than any conditions Ireland have played in before and certainly we've played in before.
"The conditions are probably better than what we played Italy in so it's a bit confusing."
Meanwhile, New Zealand's match against Spain in Stellenbosch was called off at halftime as the Danie Craven Stadium surface was also deemed unplayable.
New Zealand were leading 45-13 and were awarded the victory, as per competition rules.
New Zealand will meet France in the semis while Ireland will take on England.
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