There is an old saying about the facts speaking for themselves. This morning, they are both eloquent and condemnatory.
After 59 minutes of last night’s Wallabies v Scotland game in Newcastle, Wallabies No.8 Scott Higginbotham – working off a solid attacking 5m scrum – chose to run down a narrow blindside against the slight wheel of the set-piece and straight into the voracious Scotland back row.
Three minutes later, debutant Mike Harris was penalised for obstruction after a series of Wallabies attacks were repelled.
After 64 minutes, Australia botched a lineout drive and isolated captain David Pocock was blown up for holding on as Scotland’s replacement halfback, Chris Cusiter, attempted to rip the ball free.
In the 65th minute, Dave Dennis – a hearty contributor to the forward exchanges – was replaced by coach Robbie Deans for debutant Michael Hooper. Dennis had played in heavy conditions against the Hurricanes just three days previously as part of astonishingly unhelpful preparation window.
Almost immediately, a momentum shift in the scrum battle was perceptible. Australia’s left-hand side now consisted of James Slipper, who had played most of the Super season on the tight-head, replacement second-rower Rob Simmons and debutant Hooper. The most senior of that trio is 23, and they opposed seasoned tight-head Euan Murray, a British and Irish Lion.
Five minutes later, Australia were again penalised at the breakdown, with Digby Ioane hanging on to the ball with support slow to arrive – despite Scotland’s attack on the breakdown being signposted in neon before the game.
After 70 minutes, Dan Palmer, who had enjoyed a highly promising debut, was replaced by Ben Alexander, who took his place on the tight-head side, where he has served limited duty at the Brumbies this season. After two scrum collapses the Wallabies managed to clear the ball.
Two minutes later, Berrick Barnes skewed an attempted drop goal badly, hitting it wide right from about 30m from the sticks.
In the 75th minute, Harris connected horribly with a penalty on halfway and the ball hit the turf as it reached the posts. From the resulting re-start Barnes overcooked a bomb and Scotland took a mark inside their 22 to clear their lines.
Shortly afterwards, Harris launched a fateful, badly misjudged up-and-under inside his own 10m line that bounced beyond the Scotland in-goal area, bringing play all the way back to the same spot.
From the set-piece it was clear the visitors had sensed blood in the water. They drove the Australia scrum backwards by two metres before Slipper folded inwards, but referee Jaco Peyper’s call was play on.
After multiple phases against some passive defence, a misread on the right-hand side by another debutant, Joe Tomane, allowed Greig Laidlaw to make a half-break and the Scots advanced to the 22m.
From there, after the hooter had sounded, they set the scrums that decided the game.
The first one drove the Wallabies back three metres before they disintegrated and somehow avoided the penalty. But Peyper was just loading the bullet for the re-set.
Alexander has been named as the culprit for the next collapse in some dispatches, but the replay showed him to be still standing while Slipper, under immense pressure from Murray, had nowhere to go but down. Camera angles behind the set-piece revealed that culpability rested on other shoulders, too.
Hooper, showing the naivety of a newcomer, was a virtual non-contributor to the pushing effort, hanging off the side of the scrum in anticipation of a Scottish attack that was never going to come. Beside him, Simmons was caught horribly off balance by the initial hit and never recovered.
It was an grimly appropriate conclusion to a 21-minute spell in which saw the basics of Test rugby – ball security, kicking, set-piece – collapse one by one until only ruins remained.
As for the weather, it is a global game played in winter.
Besides, Australia had coped admirably in the opening 40.
None of the names mentioned above stand accused as individuals. From the sheer weight of errors it is clear this was a collective malfunction: a folly agreed to by the ARU, implemented (you sense with misgivings) by the coach and carried out by the players with deteriorating belief as the game wore on.
Congratulations to Scotland.
They are traditionally allocated the role of fighters, but the battle of the brain belonged to them as well. Australia were outwitted by the selection of dual opensides John Barclay and Ross Rennie.
For Australia, only misery.
Forget about the Wales series. Each Test should carry its own value. This is what abject failure looks like, pure and simple. Now the fans who pay the wages wait to see what accountability looks like.
7andabit
Guest
Hey look. Half that team were players who had byes. Oh look what will Wales use to tactically analyze Australia? Games vs Scotland? Do not think so. They are playing the guessing game. What do Australia have on the Welsh? Oh look 6N footage. Baabaa's match. All recent stuff. Get it?
jeznez
Guest
Phil, if you watch it again just focus on Slippers left shoulder - he rolls it in. That isn't Murray dropping him, that is Slipper turning inside. Slipper does that and keeps his hips up as his shoulders lower so he winds up on top even though he is the one dropping the scrum. I'm an Aussie fan, I would be happier if the Scots had cheated their way to that penalty but it just isn't what happened.
wannabprop
Guest
'Ireland are playing four tests – one against Barbarians, and three against New Zealand. Wales and England did the same. England and Wales are both playing midweek matches as well – I think.' The key here is that Australia has agreed to a 4th test - a very different proposition to an 'A' team, midweek games (provincial teams), or Barbarians (which is essentially what the team was). Delusion and arrogance from the ARU. 'If Scotland were doing the asking, then I can see why they picked Australia.' Ouch...
Phil
Guest
hi again had another look at the last scrum - the Scottish prop definitely took it down. Slipper ends up on top of him and when Slipper gets up the Scot is still on the ground! Still think the Scots deserved the win, but that was not the right call based on that last scrum alone. And Paul's call about Hooper is clutching at straws, he only came off the side when the scrum was going down.
Jutsie
Guest
Jarmen I dont know why you even brought this up, the article is nothing to do with which country has the worst supporters. Booing kickers whilst they line-up a shot happens world wide, it also happens in basketball when a player takes a free throw or in soccer when a player takes a penalty. But I have never seen before one player targeted non-stop by both the supporters and media of one country, even if cooper bought it on himself it was a poor look for the hosts of the show-piece tournament of our international game. If you cant see the difference between the two incidents then its you that is ignorant not CD. Its sad that your still trying to justify the behaviour of the minority of your countrymen 9 months later.
Cattledog
Roar Guru
Jarmen, please give the readers your take on why the Chiefs supporters booed the Reds as they ran onto Suncorp. The least you can do is articulate your position about sportsmanship. I repeat, the incidents are completely different. One was personal, the other an act of disappointment in the main. You having to resort to a personal attack on my standing on the Roar adds nothing to your argument, but does cast doubt on your ability to articulate your argument. My lot, as you so eloquently put it do have a love of their country. Your lot, to use the vernacular, should perhaps express a little more gratitude for what this country provides you, starting with that loudmouthed bunch of Chief's supporters at Suncorp.
Suzy Poison
Guest
Hi DCNZ. For Brussow, I was initially surprised at his omission. But looking at the Stats it makes sense. I only have the stats of the top twenty from Rugbyheaven. The players I chose to compare are; Marcell Coetzee, Heinrich Brussow and Bismarck du Plessis. Most Tackles Made: ….1. Marcell Coetzee (Sharks) 204 …..4. Heinrich Brussow (Cheetahs) 178 Most Runs:….. 5. Marcell Coetzee (Sharks) 129 Most Run Metres:…..18. Marcell Coetzee (Sharks) 697 Most Pilfers:…. 11. Heinrich Brussow (Cheetahs) 4 Most Penalties Conceded:…..9. Bismarck du Plessis (Sharks) 17 …..10. Heinrich Brussow (Cheetahs) 16 Most Turnovers:……2. Bismarck du Plessis (Sharks) 31 So you see why Meyer has left out Brussow for Marcel Coetzee. Brussow has only pilfered 4 balls, at a cost of 16 penalties. Bismark has 31 turnovers for a similar amount of penalties. But young Marcel Coetzee is way ahead of all the others when it comes, to runs and run metres, and despite this he is also way ahead of the others in tackle count, too.
Jarmen
Guest
Oh lord Cattledog you certainly make me laugh with your one eyed and jingoistic views. Your countrymen booed the Scotish Kicker and you can not even man up and admit your own are just as Bad at booing and fathom up some other incident to bag kiwis. Hell your countrymen booed their own wow how sad is that? Your Guru status is a disgrace to the Roar. About time you admit that your lot are no better than anyone else so its about time you got off that high horse CD. You talk about Glasses houses Ironic Much
Cattledog
Roar Guru
Well Jarmen, tell me precisely who they were booing? The kicker? He had a good game actually. You really don't get it, do you. Not surprising. And yes, happy to label Kiwis, not all, many are actually great citizens of Australia. However, at the Chiefs vs Reds match I was absolutely disgusted at the Chiefs supporters having the temerity to boo the Reds as they ran out...onto their own stadium, and them not even in their birth country. Thankfully, they soon shut up! Your in a glass house mate, keep the rocks in your pocket.
Jarmen
Guest
Mark what I was referring to mainly was many of the posters on this forum choose to take the moral high ground over the booing of QC however not a word was mentioned when the Canberra faithful also gave it to him, the booing of the Scots the booing of Pocock should I go on. I love it how those like Damo etc are still trying to claim some moral high ground or Cattledog simply choosing to ignore the fact his countrymen booed another countrys player. If anyuthing it shows that Australia is no more immune to booing than any other nation and therefore this ridiculous notion that New Zealanders are worse than anyone else is well and truly put to bed.
Jarmen
Guest
And still in Denial there CD I see. Love it how you forget to mention the booing at the end when Scotland were lining up the winning kick. Can you see the difference in your own ignorance, choosing to ignore certain points of a comment Cherry Picking Much Its ok CD I understand you don't like to be shown up for poor sports but more than happy to label others namely Kiwis.
Mark W
Guest
Appreciate the reponse Jarmen. The QC thing has been done to death and I was not in NZ so can't really comment with any real authority about the extent of it. Like you it seems I take offence to the holier than thou attitude by supporters from any country but it onlybelinfgs in pcokets. And whilst I dont boo at all, I can live with people booing for someone kicking at goal, a 50/50 refereee decison, the villian (eg QC) in the other team and this will never be eradicated. Most of us have played rugby and understand there is gamesmanship on the field - trust me I copped plenty as an Australian playing in Scotland for over 5 years but it was not usually personal - so this will take place off it at times as well. But you shake hands and move on.
Cattledog
Roar Guru
There is absolutely no correlation to the booing on Tuesday and the WC booing of QC. That was a personal attack on an individual, no question. The booing on Tuesday was as a result of a decision to go for goal rather than attack. A regular occurrence at most Super matches these days as we much prefer to see attacking rugby. Funnily enough, when the Wallabies decided to go for the line in the second half (an attempted 3 points may have been a better option), the crowd cheered. Can you see the difference? If you don't, I will understand...
Jarmen
Guest
Mark I never ever claimed the Scots didn't boo what I said is that it puts paid to all the sh@t thrown at Kiwis re the booing of QC during the WC. Only days ago many Australians were taking the moral highground and a holier than though attitude, What we witnessed on Tuesday night shows that Australians are no better than New Zealanders in this regard.
Phil
Guest
Now that you mention it, I haven't seen the through the 90 call for a long while. I think the first scrum and the way the Scots had cleverly worked their way into that field position may have had a bearing on the second scrum. But still feel like Slipper didn't go down first. Anyway it will be interesting to see how the scrum performs on Sat and who makes up the front row.
Jutsie
Guest
Yeah I agree, but the ARU should have never put the players or coaching panel in this position. It cant help for team morale, the amount (deserved) criticism they're copping after the game. And now they have to back up again in 4 days.
Albo
Guest
Ah yes but most just result in just a blackened face whereas Daffy has to deal with some serious bill dislocation...
Albo
Guest
I think I felt more sorry for his 50m effort. The wind died down just before he kicked it and picked back up again right after. He looked like he tapped it lighter expecting the assistance to come that never did.
anopinion
Guest
Bruski, You comments are like school on Sunday. No class. We lost. Well done Scotland.
mania
Guest
wow damo - and aus fans and players are upholding the spirit of rugby? quade didnt get booed because he was an excellent attacker. the fact that he's inconsistent and a sissy in defence is what kiwi's dont like about him. any kiwi rugby player that gets hidden on defence is an embarrassment and would normally get dropped in NZ. added to this is the fact that quade had numerous cheap shots at richie when richie was trapped in a ruck or maul. had quade stood face to richie and done what he did that would've been considered acceptable. quades immaturity , lack of humility and respect is what kiwi's dont like about him and why we're glad to be rid of him. and the difference between quades thuggery vs colinMeads and richardLoe is; loe and meads were real men that didnt shoot their mouths off , gave as good as they got and were still standing at the end of the pssing contest. eg quade when he was pushing richies face when stuck in a ruck suddenly walked away when richie stood up. quade wants glory but has no guts and again i iterate - booing quade was fun. even aussie fans are getting into it.