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Worrying injury: Wycliff Palu
Scotland caused a major upset at Murrayfield on Saturday as - after some late drama - they won a largely dour encounter 9-8 against Australia.
There was very little to write home about in a Test fixture predicted to act as the Wallabies' ideal tonic after suffering a painful draw in Dublin.
But that was not the case as the gritty Scots managed to pounce on an off night for the tourists, who will also be concerned over Wycliff Palu after the vital number eight was stretchered from the action due to a neck injury.
The loss of Palu looks highly likely to see coach Robbie Deans bring in either George Smith or Richard Brown at the base when they tackle Wales next week.
Australia will also be slightly concerned regarding Matt Giteau's form from the kicking tee after the usually reliable fly-half converted just one attempt from a whole host of opportunities. The one that hurt the most was his wayward conversion shot of Ryan Cross' late try that would have spared the tourists' blushes.
It was the improving Scots' first win over Australia following a tough 27 years, with the filthy weather somewhat reminiscent of their last victory back in 1981.
Giteau was on hand to open the scoring on five minutes however, after home hooker Ross Ford struggled to find his man at lineout time early on.
Then it was the turn of a succession of injury issues for both coaches. Australia were deprived of loosehead Benn Robinson on eighteen minutes for Sekope Kepu, who was also off form in fumbling two simple passes.
Then Scotland captain Chris Cusiter hurt his shoulder with an excellent cover tackle on full-back Adam Ashley-Cooper and Rory Lawson was called into the fray, but not before the Glasgow man saved his side by holding up Stephen Moore.
But the driving maul was one area of dominance for Scotland and it won them a 27th-minute penalty which Godman arrowed between the posts to level matters, completely against the run of play.
Normal service soon resumed, Giteau pulling the strings wonderfully both with the boot and out of hand.
But with four minutes of the half remaining, he was left red-faced after missing a point-blank penalty when Scotland had infringed at a scrum.
Australia ran their next penalty but Giteau was again off-target with a simple drop goal.
Robinson withdrew the under-performing Morrison for Nick De Luca at half-time.
However, a returning Giteau's place-kicking woes continued two minutes after the restart, though his 40-metre miss was more forgivable.
Australia were picking up where they left off and captain Rocky Elsom bulldozed his way over five minutes in. Referee Romain Poite went to the video and, after a succession of replays, the try was not given.
Under all sorts of pressure, Scotland suddenly turned defence into attack when De Luca brilliantly kicked into the space behind, forcing Will Genia to concede a penalty. It was the start of a massive swing in territory.
The remarkable drama continued when Mitchell celebrated a 65th-minute try after more Australia pressure only to be hauled back for a horrible forward pass from Quade Cooper, much to the delight of the Scotland fans before Palu was carried off.
Scotland continued to make crucial tackles inside their own 22 to preserve their lead before replacement Chris Paterson dropped a goal from 25 metres with just four minutes to go.
That sparked the Wallabies to set up camp five metres from the home whitewash and, despite yet more heroic defending, Cross eventually went over in the first minute of stoppage-time to leave Giteau to win the game from wide out. He missed and Scotland claimed a famous victory.
Man of the match: Apologies to the winning team but Australia's utter dominance in terms of possession and territory means Wycliff Palu picks up the accolade for a destructive performance from number eight. Unfortunately, the Waratah left the field under an oxygen mask but he busted so many holes in the Scotland defence that his effort needed recognition.
Moment of the match: An out-of-sorts Matt Giteau missing penalties and a simple drop-goal proved to be the difference at Murrayfield.
Villain of the match: Maybe this is slightly harsh but so as not to let the gong go unassigned, Quade Cooper, after he blew a simple three on two with a long, forward pass out to Drew Mitchell when a simpler option was required.
The scorers:
For Scotland:
Pen: Godman 2
Drop: Paterson
For Australia:
Tries: Cross
Pen: Giteau
Scotland: 15 Rory Lamont, 14 Sean Lamont, 13 Alex Grove, 12 Graeme Morrison, 11 Simon Danielli, 10 Phil Godman, 9 Chris Cusiter (c), 8 Johnnie Beattie, 7 John Barclay, 6 Alasdair Strokosch, 5 Alastair Kellock, 4 Nathan Hines, 3 Moray Low, 2 Ross Ford, 1 Allan Jacobsen.
Replacements: 16 Dougie Hall, 17 Kyle Traynor, 18 Jason White, 19 Richie Vernon, 20 Rory Lawson, 21 Chris Paterson, 22 Nick De Luca.
Australia: 15 Adam Ashley-Cooper, 14 Peter Hynes, 13 Digby Ioane, 12 Quade Cooper, 11 Drew Mitchell, 10 Matt Giteau, 9 Will Genia, 8 Wycliff Palu, 7 George Smith, 6 Rocky Elsom (c), 5 Mark Chisholm, 4 James Horwill, 3 Ben Alexander, 2 Stephen Moore, 1 Benn Robinson.
Replacements: 16 Tatafu Polota-Nau, 17 Sekope Kepu, 18 Dean Mumm, 19 Richard Brown, 20 Luke Burgess, 21 Ryan Cross, 22 James O'Connor.
Referee: Romain Poite (France)
Assistant referees: Nigel Owens (Wales), Jérôme Garces (France)
Television match officials: Graham Hughes (England)
Assessor: Tappe Henning (South Africa)
Comments
Trinats says...
I see were your going. but what I'm referring to is that you finished bottom of the tri nations the year of, and after the world cup, you also lost to France and wales in tours. So you were fortunate that top teams knocked each other out. Very like how the Aussie Ice speed skater (Steven Bradbury) won in the winter Olympics, lucky.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lfQMJtilOGg
Posted 11:57 25th November 2009
ProudSaffar says...
My point is....
You cant state that we didnt beat the best in 2007, because we did. England beat Australia fair and sqaure. France beat the All Blacks and then lost to England. So the best teams of the Tournament were the two playing in the Final.
Posted 05:26 25th November 2009
Trinats says...
ProudSaffar:
When Australia won all their would cups they beat all the top teams, not 7th etc.
2007 we didn't win it ??? didn't even make it to semis, not sure what your point is.
Posted 11:52 24th November 2009
ProudSaffar says...
I don't agree with your. 1 win out of 4 games in 2009 against us gives you a record of 25%. I would say 75% is better wouldn't you?
1. Will Genia has made an impression, but when the forwards are going backwards his game cannot evolve. He is young and will get better but I don't think he is going to win you any games at the moment or near future.
2. Barnes is probably the most overrated player in Aus.
3. Gittau is good but do you waste him at 12 if you don't have a good 10? If you want to go this way rather put Cooper at 10 as I don't rate Barnes.
4.With all the politics (Isn't this nice to know that SA is not the only Team that suffers from this) Mortlock will not feature. I also think he is past his best.
5. Ashley Cooper and Mitchell I agree on, but you have to get them the ball otherwise it does not help.
6. Get O'Connor a position and stick with him there. This is the best player in Aus and I rate him highly.
Now for the record we did play, "USA FIJI TONGA ARGGIES ENGLAND" in WC 2007 and beat them all.
Their respective world Rankings at the time of WC 2007
USA - (14)
Tonga (15)
Samoa (11)
England (7)
Fiji (12)
Arg (4)
Australia played and their respective world Rankings at the time of WC 2007
Japan (18)
Canada (13)
Fiji (12)
Wales (8)
England (7) lost in QF
So we beat two of the world top 10 sides and Aus could only beat Wales and lost to England who played in the Final. The facts speak for themselves.
P.S your little chirps about age makes me wonder mentally how old you are?
Posted 13:24 23rd November 2009
Trinats says...
ProudSaffar:
bit of a better response, teacher help?
At 9 we have Will Genia (looking very good, in only his 3rd test) Barnes at 10, Giteau at 12 , Mortlock 13, Turner 14, Mitchel 11, Ashley-Cooper 15. With the exception of Genia the back line above trashed you last time we played not bad for NO STARS. They should be enough to compete ??? Or we could finish bottom of the Tri nations for a couple of years have an easy run in the world cup and play USA FIJI TONGA ARGGIES ENGLAND to win it, now that's funny !!!.
Posted 09:17 23rd November 2009
ProudSaffar says...
I love it when people can dish out but cant take it, then they try and belittle you.(TriNats)
I agree that the NH stepped up their game and they are really sticking it to the SH teams. In defence, their season is just starting and ours are just finishing. Perhaps we should have a similar serious SH vs NH when our International season starts in the NH. Would make for an interesting comparision.
WRT Australia. This teams needs a serious session with a coach to show them how to get over that try line. Robbie Deans is a very good coach and they are playing all the rugby but cant get over the try line. Aus is relying far too much on Gittau.
You need stars at 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 to score good tries. Aus only has stars at 10 and 15 and where Deans decides to play Drew Mitchel at the moment. You need to give James O'connor a game at 12 as he is going to better than any other player Aus ever had. Go buy some Fijian/Samoan/Tongan senters like NZ did with Walter Little and Frank Bunce and then Aus can compete for the World Cup.
Posted 08:14 23rd November 2009
Sanzarian says...
Aus are THE most overrated team in world rugby. Huge hype with nothing to show for it. This game just proved that again.
Posted 07:03 23rd November 2009
Trinats says...
Proudsaffar:
What's with the ha ha ha ???? are you 10 years old.
Surely I thought you would have had a more intellectual come back !
Difference is I can take it. We lost, we will get better (can't get any worse) But this very young side, we will win the next world cup and the one after. Not bad for a country that doesn't have Rugby in it's top 5 sports !!!! That's what must really hurt you.
Posted 20:53 22nd November 2009
catchyname says...
tut tut another SH side leaving a NH rugby ground red faced.
jmanngod, you must be living on another planet if you think there is a gulf in class. scotland are prob the weakest ,or second weakest team in the 6 nations by far, and they beat australia.
The boks are having an embarrassing tour aswell, with NZ only escaping defeat so far by playing the weakest of the NH, and france will send them home with their tails between there legs.
It shows where australian rugby is at.
Posted 20:02 22nd November 2009
bluelion says...
well done Scotland.
Not much to be said for Ausralia. Slim victory over England Saxons (too many injuries to be the firt team). A draw against a rusty Ireland. Five more minutes might have sank Australia. And losing to Scotland.
Posted 12:31 22nd November 2009
stuckinthemud says...
WOW!! Guts,Passion and Discipline!! Thanks Scotland you raised the hairs on my Kiwi neck and sent goosebumps down my arms. It has been a long time in international rugby that a team has shown as much open passion as the lads in blue did yesterday... Big scalp, also for a dumped england coach ;-)
Chuck in some consistancy with that effort and it can only bring good things!! I love it!!
Posted 11:29 22nd November 2009
TeddyF says...
The word is out, Dean's was sent to Australia to coach the Walllies how not to win a match, this is an All Blacks ploy......
Posted 09:56 22nd November 2009
armchaircritic says...
Australian chokers.
Posted 08:14 22nd November 2009
prospectdan says...
Things have to change. I've always supported Giteau but at the moment his game is not on, and Australia cant rely on him.
He's missed too many kicks, some of them very easy, and made alot of poor decision in the Ireland game, when constantly trying to break the line to no avail. It wasnt working, so try something else.
Also, shouldnt we have an alternative kicker, or even a competant right foot kicker because Giteau has been really struggling with any conversion or penalty from anywhere left of centre.
The forwards are working well, missing Sharpe though, but its our world class backs that arent clicking. I agree with the post above. James O'connor should be in the starting side,he's brilliant. Quade Cooper had an off night but is usually a great value, and Adam Ashley Cooper is in top form and had so much strength and determination to get to the line, that we should be doing everything to get the ball into his hands.
I believe we have the team to win the world cup, and this Grand Slam was so achievable, and now its gone, and to 2 SOFT losses.
Its SO diappointing, I could go on all day. I think Robbie needs to make some changes....but hey, what do I know?
Lets hope we bring it next week.
Posted 07:29 22nd November 2009
Daatchi says...
There is no huge gap between the Northern Hemisphere and the South anymore. I would have thought the November tests are proving that!
jmanngod - you should wait until after France run the AB's into the ground before you make such comments and consider yourself lucky they arent playing Ireland this year!
Posted 04:36 22nd November 2009
ProudSaffar says...
Ha Ha Ha. 8-9 to Scotland. Once again the Ausies ability to convert costs them dearly. They then got out couraged for the last part of the second half. It was only right that Gitaue missed the last conversion. I think it would have been unfair for the Ausies to snatch that one when they did not deserve it.
Trinats..... I am sure this feels like we felt a week ago only worse because it was Scotland.
Oh and something about anthems last week. Listen to this and relive the 8-9
O flower of Scotland
When will we see your like again
That fought and died for
Your wee bit hill and glen
And stood against him
Proud Edward's army
And sent him homeward
Tae think again
The hills are bare now
And autumn leaves lie thick and still
O'er land that is lost now
Which those so dearly held
And stood against him
Proud Edward's army
And sent him homeward
Tae think again
Those days are passed now
And in the past they must remain
But we can still rise now
And be the nation again
That stood against him
Proud Edward's army
And sent him homeward
Tae think again
Posted 04:03 22nd November 2009
Apefarmer says...
Well done Scotland for holding in there while Giteau had a nightmare, missing penalty after penalty. Sounds like it was a tediously lackluster spectacle by all accounts though.
Not a good day for Oz/NZ 10's? Giteau - yep, shocker. Never rated him as a goal-kicker. See how far forward he leans the ball when kicking goals? - This is where his inconsistency woes begin. They all seem to do it in Aus.. a spin-off of a bad rugby league habit, it appears. Anyway..
Carter? - A definitive 19 - 6 win over England, bagging 14 points, and taking top position as all-time highest points scorer for All Blacks with 980?? Also putting in some huge tackles and contributing to the All Blacks' continuing record of not conceding a try to a northern hemisphere side since 2007. By all accounts, no he didn't have a 'good' day, but a GREAT day.
Sure he missed two penalties, had a couple of handling mishaps, and made some dubious attacking decisions at times - But this is him mixing it around a bit and sometimes it doesn't come off.. but was still clearly able to dictate play towards a comfortable win. Just as well he wasn't having a 'good' day... eh.
Not to derail this thread though.. Well done Skirtland.
Posted 00:35 22nd November 2009
Geeooo says...
Trinats . . think the Wallabies just need better decision-making and on-field leadership. Taking the wrong option cost them 2 tries (DG attempt and ridiculous forward pass with a 3 on 2) and a strong captain would possibly have helped keep the troops focussed against Ireland last week. Wallabies midfield looked as if they didn't know what Giteau wanted from them, he was trying dummies and fakes all over the place - they just had to run a line and see what he decided to do, not the way to open a tough defense like they encountered today. Even Barnes and Mortlock would have been scratching their head with him today, but on another occasion that could have racked up 3 or 4 tries.
Just the way it goes sometimes.
Posted 00:29 22nd November 2009
jmanngod says...
oh dear! Only the ABs able to show the gulf in class NH v SH
Posted 21:19 21st November 2009
Trinats says...
Yes mate, i do agree. Great (braveheart) defense won the game for Scotland. What an effort. Would love to be there for the celebrations after a Scottish win, haven never experienced defeat there.
Still trying to figure out how we let that one get away (seem to be saying that too much lately) maybe the disruption with injuries ?? or is something not right in camp ??, we seem to not have the ability to close games out. Midfield is missing Mortlock and Barnes, Ryan Cross is not the key, O Conor should get the start ahead of him. Cooper at 10 and Giteau 12 ???.
On another night, Giteau would have landed the kicks and the missed opportunities taken. But credit to Scotland, well done. We didn't deserve to win..
Time to kick out the Kiwi and bring back Rod McQueen !!!
Posted 21:11 21st November 2009