Late penalty: Greig Laidlaw
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Scotland retained the Hopetoun Cup on Tuesday after recording a last-minute 9-6 triumph over Australia in terrible weather at Hunter Stadium.
An 80th minute Greig Laidlaw penalty sparked mass celebrations from the touring side, who made it back-to-back wins over the Wallabies.
But it wasn't pretty in Newcastle, a host venue that became the tenth Australian city to host a rugby international. This was shocking weather for it.
Scotland entered the game in the knowledge they had claimed the spoils the last time these two met. And because of the inclement weather it seemed a similar scoreline to either side was likely in their June opener, with Australia readying themselves ahead of this weekend's three-Test opener with Wales while Scotland were set to go on to Fiji on June 16 and Samoa on June 23.
The rain wasn't the only hampering issue in Newcastle as a strong wind - favouring the visitors in the first-half - meant territory was going to be in one country's corner either side of the break. Subsequently the Scots were in the ascendancy for most of the first 25 minutes.
A couple of Laidlaw penalties from his three attempts in the first 40 saw Andy Robinson's side take a 0-6 lead after half-an-hour, with the Wallabies struggling to get out of their half. But when they did enjoy a rare piece of possession and looked to kick out through the sheets of rain, the wind then promptly pulled them backwards. It was tough work.
But they did get on the board from a rare foray into opposition territory when New Zealand-born debutant Mike Harris sent over his first Test points seven minutes before the break.
That was how the score remained going into the break as Scotland took a slim advantage into the sanctuary of a dry changing room. They knew Australia would come hard though in the second-half as it would be now be the hosts enjoying the gale force wind at their backs.
And so it was as the Wallabies returned in much better form and promptly set up camp in the opposition half, picking and going on numerous occasions as Scotland did well to hold them out. They did get some reward for their efforts however when Harris levelled swiftly.
When replacement lock Rob Simmons was ruled not to have grounded the ball after several drives to the line from Australia, it seemed the Scots had weathered the storm. Indeed they had as, with only the dying embers of the game left, they set about having one last assault.
It paid off too as referee Jaco Peyper blew for an offence at the breakdown and Laidlaw stepped up to seal a workmanlike and much-needed win after what was a poor Six Nations.
Man-of-the-match: It was going to be Scotland openside Ross Rennie for 24 tackles made and zero being missed, but that was before the 80th minute. Well done Greig Laidlaw.
The scorers:
For Australia:
Pen: Harris 2
For Scotland:
Pen: Laidlaw 3
Australia: 15 Luke Morahan, 14 Joe Tomane, 13 Anthony Fainga'a, 12 Mike Harris, 11 Digby Ioane, 10 Berrick Barnes, 9 Will Genia, 8 Scott Higginbotham 7 David Pocock (c), 6 Dave Dennis, 5 Nathan Sharpe, 4 Sitaleki Timani, 3 Dan Palmer, 2 Stephen Moore, 1 James Slipper.
Replacements: 16 Saia Fainga'a, 17 Ben Alexander, 18 Rob Simmons, 19 Michael Hooper, 20 Nick Phipps, 21 Pat McCabe, 22 Adam Ashley Cooper.
Scotland: 15 Stuart Hogg, 14 Joe Ansbro, 13 Nick De Luca, 12 Matt Scott, 11 Sean Lamont, 10 Greig Laidlaw, 9 Mike Blair, 8 John Barclay, 7 Ross Rennie, 6 Alasdair Strokosch, 5 Richie Gray, 4 Alastair Kellock, 3 Euan Murray, 2 Ross Ford (c), 1 Ryan Grant.
Replacements: 16 Scott Lawson, 17 Jon Welsh, 18 Tom Ryder, 19 Richie Vernon, 20 Chris Cusiter, 21 Duncan Weir, 22 Tom Brown.
Referee: Jaco Peyper (South Africa)
Assistant referees: Craig Joubert (South Africa), Keith Brown (New Zealand)
By Adam Kyriacou
Comments
TheMascot says...
Goes to show what happens to the Wallabies when there backs get canceled out due to the weather conditions and there reliance is on forward dominance game. I still think Australia is extremely dangerous and will give Wales a good run for there money if its dry weather.
Posted 04:25 06th June 2012
passtheball says...
I think Australia should be commended for providing weather that made the Scots feel at home!
Posted 02:37 06th June 2012
Lovethisgame says...
Full credit to the Scots. Absolutely tenacious defence.
As for all this garbage about a weak aussie tight five...I seem to recall that right before that dubious scrum penalty, the scottish scrum was wheeled WELL beyond ninety degrees. The tight fives, throughout the game, were evenly matched. But so too were the backs. You can't tell me that anyone had the ascendency.
Still, for Oz not to capitalise on all the territory and possession, didn't deserve to win.
Enjoy the victory and a few "warm" beers lads.
Posted 01:39 06th June 2012
ruckingkiwi says...
jonesy2, "wallabies deserved to lose. they were uninterested in playing rugby tonight and didnt want to be out there at all in any capacity. scotland the opposite, well done"
... At all in any capacity... ??? They showed up didn't they?
Try another one. More like beaten by a better team given the conditions.
Accept it. Well done Scotland, I had predicted a close Australian and am surprised.. makes this Welsh series a big one, however I still expect them to win the series, possibly 2-1.
Posted 01:03 06th June 2012
tha_mai says...
Chicka, Brumbies have won 8 from 13, a 61% win record; not exactly world beating, though it is marginally better than the Wallabies win rate of 58% under Deans (33 wins from 57).
But take heart, George Gregan said before Scots game that "Australia have bridged most of the gap to World champions New Zealand. There¿s not too much of a gap between the two teams"
Good one George, can't wait for this weeks news according to GG.
Posted 01:03 06th June 2012
BillyMutt2 says...
Hahahahahaha... sorry, couldn't help it.
Posted 00:00 06th June 2012
Lasutaka says...
awesome game to the Scots..i think the aussies already had an eye on the Wales game and paid for it dearly. I think the Scots should be ok in Fiji as the weather's not too hot since Fiji's going through its own version of winter.Fiji did really well against Japan as they should have and it should be a good clash against the Scots.Definitely going to watch it!!
Posted 23:40 05th June 2012
forwardflank says...
@TVaddict Fair point. Anyone know the ranking points implications of these internationals? Could PR do a piece on it?
Posted 23:34 05th June 2012
bk47 says...
@ Chicka
I agree. I'm sorry but if Graham Henry had lost to Scotland twice, had a 10 game (pretty sure thats right) losing streak against Aussie and lost to Ireland and Samoa he ouldn't survive another day.
So much for the Henry vs Deans argument a few years back haha
Posted 23:01 05th June 2012
rugby_phile says...
A few stark facts about OZ, and this from an AB supporter.
5 Super Team worth of rugby players a test team do not make. Once you scratch the surface of the 1st choice 22 (or even 15) there is little quality underneath apart from the odd exeption. That is a fact, nothing OZ can do about it (competing with too many other codes) and its always a constant source of wonder how they can even stay competitive, but they do, so lets not read too much into it.
A full strengh OZ tean I feel would dispatch Wales, but they have more depth so this series is going to be a close ran thing, good for the nutrals like myself.
The only thing I hate about OZ is the TV coverage, especially the comical double act of Matto and Kearns, I don't know why they keep one eye open, they shoud shut them both. Better last night because I think Kearns was missing. And Kearns has won some media prize this year, GIVE ME A BREAK!!!!!
Finally a big well done to Scotland, 15 very ordinary players with hearts the size of watermelons,. Shows you what you can do when you have no egos, you don't believe your own puplicity and play for your team.
PS: We'll have Dingo Deans back if you don't want him, he can't make a silk purse out of a sow's ear. And for the record I did support Henry's appointment, doesn't stop me thinking he is a great coach with limited playing resources.
Posted 22:30 05th June 2012
StunTheMullet says...
Luckily Dingo brought home the world cup, Oh hang on....
Posted 21:33 05th June 2012
ruggaluva says...
If Scotland ever wins a big match in dry conditions then i might think of a wholehearted congratulations.... for now its just a 'well done'.
Posted 20:49 05th June 2012
scot_rsa says...
Still think Kellock should be captain, big presence on the field. Proud of whole team today though, push on lads!
Posted 20:42 05th June 2012
KiwiLad says...
Like a lot of players wearing the Yellow jersey, the weather looked very unAustralian.
Posted 20:30 05th June 2012
ruckingkiwi says...
Maybe Deans is a only good coach and possibly not a great coach and maybe Australia's players are only good players and not anything more. Well played Scotland though, credit where credit it is due.
Posted 20:23 05th June 2012
isthatrightref says...
To be fair the wobblies injury list is of 'phone book proportions; it was ever so cold, wet & windy in Newcastle, which is a hoodoo ground for them; the ref was a saffa; so was one of the AR's & the other was a kiwi; Deans is a kiwi, too; Scotland are a really, really good team, top-12 in the world & have the wood on oz atm... have I missed anything?
Must say that I expected oz's rubbish tight 5 to be compensated for by their better loose forwards & inside backs plus strike power out wide... didn't see the game as Channel 9 weren't showing it til 11:15 but it would appear that not only was the tight 5 rubbish so were the rest... wouldn't read too much into it in terms of Wales as the wobblies will make changes & were always going to but geez if I was a rabid ozzie ozzie ozzie like the master baiter I'd be a tad nervous right now.
@ tha_mai... reverse Grand Slam... genius!
Posted 20:15 05th June 2012
Jmanngod says...
just too bloody funny for comment - the Wannabies looked like the waratahs and played awful, gut-wrenching, uninspiring rugby. At tleast we might get Robbie Deans over to the blues by the end of this...
Posted 20:06 05th June 2012
Jediboy says...
Well done Scotland.
Posted 19:47 05th June 2012
brands says...
Robbie D cannot be blamed for this loss, after all you cannot mould gold out of poo.
Posted 19:40 05th June 2012
swiwi says...
@tvaddict - would think wales 3-0 would seem them move into the top 4, and australia drop out. This might help: http://www.irb.com/rankings/explain/index.html
Posted 19:26 05th June 2012