The Wallabies 2012 campaign got off to a less than ideal start last night as Australia went down to Scotland at a wet and wild Hunter Stadium in Newcastle.
More than 20,000 people have braved icy, wet and gale force Tuesday evening conditions to watch a hard fought contest dominated by strong defence but that ultimately saw the Scots triumph 9-6, thanks to a last minute penalty.
One of the highlights though was the performances of the HSBC Waratahs trio Berrick Barnes, Sitaleki Timani and debutant Dave Dennis.
Whilst a pair of penalties from Barnes’ boot was all the points, the flyhalf himself turned in a composed performance, despite having to play the first period into a howling wind.
Earning his second cap, big Sitaleki Timani had a solid 55 minutes before being replaced in the second half and debutant flanker Dave Dennis turned in a dogged performance, impressing on his debut for both his workrate and accuracy despite the horrendous conditions, throughout his 66 minute Test debut.
After the loss to the Scots, who have not won in Australia for 30 years, Qantas Wallabies coach Robbie Deans said, “We had enough possession to put the game out of reach and credit to Scotland, we just couldn’t put them away.
“We started the second half really well, we had momentum and in conditions like that when you don’t turn the score board over things get messier as the game goes on. We lacked co-ordination to get the job done.
“We’ve got another Test match on Saturday, first thing we’ll have to do is recover and look at the blokes.
“We’ll select 22 for Saturday, some who would have played tonight. We’ll have to assess how the guys pull up.”
“It was an excellent crowd here at Newcastle, they were excited and supported us well.
The majority of the opening half was played inside the Wallabies’ 22 however a solid defensive effort saw the Australian’s keep Scotland to just two penalty goals at half time.
With a penalty goal of their own in the 35th minute the Qantas Wallabies went into the half time break down 3-6 with the knowledge they would be running with the wind in the second half. Within three minutes they had levelled the scores through Mike Harris’ second penalty goal of the match and despite being camped inside Scotland’s half for virtually the entire period, the Wallabies couldn’t breach the visitors’ defence.
With just minutes to go, Scotland entered the Wallabies’ half for the first time, with a collapsed scrum after the siren Scotland affording Scotland the chance to kicking the winning penalty. Scottish flyhalf Greg Laidlaw held his composure to slot the straightforward attempt and deliver Scotland an historic victory.
The Wallabies now travel to Brisbane ahead of the first Test against Wales on Saturday.
Qantas Wallabies
15. Luke Morahan (Queensland Reds)
14. Joe Tomane (Brumbies)
13. Anthony Fainga’a (Queensland Reds)
12. Mike Harris (Queensland Reds)
11. Digby Ioane (Queensland Reds)
10. Berrick Barnes (NSW Waratahs)
9. Will Genia (Queensland Reds)
8. Scott Higginbotham (Queensland Reds)
7. David Pocock (captain, Western Force)
6. Dave Dennis (NSW Waratahs)
5. Nathan Sharpe (Western Force)
4. Sitaleki Timani (NSW Waratahs)
3. Dan Palmer (Brumbies)
2. Stephen Moore (Brumbies)
1. James Slipper (Queensland Reds)
Run on Reserves:
16. Saia Fainga’a (Queensland Reds)
17. Ben Alexander (Brumbies)
18. Rob Simmons (Queensland Reds)
19. Michael Hooper (Brumbies)
20. Nick Phipps (Melbourne Rebels)
21. Pat McCabe (Brumbies)
22. Adam Ashley Cooper (NSW Waratahs)
Half Time: Qantas Wallabies 3 – Scotland 6.
Full Time: Qantas Wallabies 6 – Scotland 9.
Crowd: 20,088.