Scotland 9 Australia 8
EDINBURGH - Scotland claimed their first win over Australia in nearly three decades after a defence-inspired 9-8 victory in their one-off test match at Murrayfield today.
Australia dominated possession throughout but the Scots, under new coach Andy Robinson, produced a world-class defensive performance to keep the Wallabies at bay despite conceding a last-minute try from Ryan Cross.
Matt Giteau went on to miss the conversion, leaving jubilant Scotland supremo Robinson, the former England coach, to label his side's display as the most courageous he has ever been involved with in rugby.
And he tried to play down his own influence on the victory, opting to heap praise on defence guru Graham Steadman and stand-in skipper Ally Kellock.
Robinson declared: "Graham has done a remarkable job. The defensive performance was also the best I can remember.
"We needed a bit of luck - but we worked so hard to earn that luck.
"If we can show the same degree of courage every time we play, we can grow this team.
"I would have preferred a little more width to our play, but that is simply evidence that we still have to improve. This is a platform for that to happen.
"Games are decided by inches. Matt Giteau narrowly missed a few penalties for them - and one of Phil Godman's penalties went over via the inside of the post.
"The crowd also played a massive part. This is what sport is all about - and why I am involved in it!
"I also have to pay tribute to Ally (Kellock), who took over as skipper when (Chris) Cusiter went off.
"His leadership was fantastic."
Aussie coach Robbie Deans sighed: "We got what we deserved for not taking chances.
"Credit to Scotland for their brave defence."
Giteau had broken the deadlock with a confidently-struck penalty from 35 metres.
Scotland were then unlucky not to bag a penalty as the recalled George Smith committed a blatant foul on Cusiter while he was airborne.
They were playing some attractive and flowing rugby, but without being able to carry the action out of their own half.
And when Godman had a great opportunity to propel them into the 22-metre zone for the first time, he miscued his penalty and failed to find touch.
The Scots support got a scare when Chris Cusiter suffered a head injury during a brave tackle on Adam Ashley-Cooper.
He was able to resume after a lengthy spell of treatment - and within second the skipper pulled off a try-saving block on Stephen Moore.
Unfortunately for the scrum-half he aggravated the problem and was forced to leave the fray to be replaced by Rory Lawson.
Having lost the services on Mike Blair in the build up to the contest, the departure of Cusiter was potentially a major setback.
The captain's armband was passed to lock Kellock as the heavy rain started to induce mistakes galore.
Having weathered the early storm, the Scots at last had the scent of points when Godman lined up a penalty from more than 40 metres.
And he atoned for his previous mistake by making light of the conditions to bang it between the posts for the leveller.
His effort merely sparked the Wallabies into a fresh wave off attacks - however there was a major surprise as Giteau fluffed a point-blank range penalty when the front-row were guilty of taking down the scrum close to their line.
Giteau then shook his head in disbelief as he also missed a simple straightforward drop-goal opportunity.
The spotlight was back on Giteau seconds after the restart as Allan Jacobsen was penalised for a high challenge.
And yet again the luck of the stand-off was out - the ball dropping short and wide.
Scotland heaved a further sigh of relief two minutes later when Rocky Elsom plunged over with a trademark charge and twist.
Video referee Graham Hughes ruled that Elsom had failed to ground the ball - thanks mainly to the last-ditch challenge from Jacobsen.
The excitement level of the crowd rose as they watched the Scots mount a rare breakout, with Nick De Luca sparking panic in the Aussie defence with a clever grubber kick.
They earned a penalty - only for the anticipation to turn to frustration when Godman's angled kick drifted past the far post.
The momentum had changed in favour of the home troops and there was real drama as Godman's next effort crashed off the inside of the woodwork and cleared the crossbar.
Scotland enjoyed another massive slice of luck as a Drew Mitchell try was chalked off for a forward pass - when the Wallabies had three men clear on the left.
The tension rocketed seven minutes from the end as substitute Paterson stroked over his superb drop-goal.
And then came the even more nailbiting climax when Cross went over, only for Giteau to miss the conversion.
- AFP
