By Darren Walton
November 23rd 2009 @ 6:15am
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Coach Robinson hails his Scottish bravehearts
As the Wallabies licked their wounds, jubilant coach Andy Robinson praised his Scottish bravehearts for pulling off one of the great rugby muggings at Murrayfield.
In just his second Test at the helm, Robinson’s charges tackled themselves to a standstill to end Scotland’s 27-year, 16-match losing streak against Australia with a famous 9-8 victory on Saturday.
The Wallabies possessed enough ball and field position to win three Tests, but could find no way through Scotland’s unflinching defence until an injury-time try to centre Ryan Cross – which Matt Giteau was unable to convert from 10 metres in from touch.
Under pressure throughout, the Scots were forced to rack up 109 tackles to just 58 by the Wallabies.
“I’ve said to the team that is the most courageous performance I’ve ever been involved in,” said Robinson, who was assistant coach to Clive Woodward when England scored their extra-time victory over Australia in the 2003 World Cup final in Sydney.
“The effort that was put in, the way the team got off the floor and defended was incredible. And credit to (defence coach) Graham Steadman, who has put this defence together.
“The amount of ball that we gave Australia to play with throughout the game and the courage that our players had to get up and keep knocking them over … we needed a bit of luck, but I thought the guys worked hard to establish that luck.
“If we can perform like that, with that same courage every time we go on to the pitch, then we can grow a team. That’s the base line for our performance. The guys have got belief now.”
Not even Scottish fans and journalists could believe their side had won and nor was Robinson – now with a two-from-two record after overseeing last week’s 23-10 win over Fiji on debut – was getting too carried away.
“Games are decided by inches,” Robinson said.
“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.”
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Dingbat said | November 23rd 2009 @ 12:03pm | Report comment
Lower your flags and march straight back to Australia, stopping at every home you pass by to beg forgiveness for a hundred years of theft, rape, and murder. Do that and your men shall live. Do it not, and every one of you will die today.
- William Wallace
Hell, those Scots did WW proud.
Geoff Pereira said | November 23rd 2009 @ 5:48pm | Report comment
I have to agree that the Scots deserved the win due to their defensive effort. The Aussies outplayed them in just about every aspect of the game. 76% in the opposing side’s half and still to loose! WOW I have to say I watched that game and sat on the edge of seat from the get-go. I have read on this site, that passion does not win games as does ability but I don’t care how much you analyse that game – it came down to the passion and desire of the Scots that won the day. If ever there was an example of passion over ability – this was it. Great game Scotland and a very deserved win.
tongstar said | November 23rd 2009 @ 9:58pm | Report comment
Scots were fantastic running on passion. Wallabies absolutely pathetic. I’ve watched every wallaby game since the 1984 grand slam, and love watching them play. But I’m almost at the point of wanting The Red Dragons to slaughter this feeble group… with the hope that the young guys realise they need to toughen up if they want to progress past the qtrs in the next RWC in 2011.
Even the Samoans against France showed more passion than the walllabies. Unfortunate Palu couldn’t pull off a massive hit like against the Irish…. O that’s right, the scots hardly ran the ball because they were tackling the whole time….
just PATHETIC Deans… Pathetic.
Hansie said | November 23rd 2009 @ 10:07pm | Report comment
All credit to Scotland for their magnificent and proud defensive effort.