In one of the great escapes in Rugby World Cup history, Australia have moved into the semi-finals with a win over Scotland, kicking a penalty goal with just two minutes left on the clock to steal the game.
>> PUMAS STUN IRELAND
>> WALLABIES SCRAPE PAST SCOTLAND
>> ALL BLACKS CRUSH FRANCE
>> SPRINGBOKS ADVANCE PAST WALES
In a thrilling encounter, Scotland took the lead through a Mark Bennett intercept try with just four minutes to play as the rain began to tumble down at Twickenham.
It was the third time they’d crossed the line after an Australian mistake.
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Although they’d scored five tries to the Scots’ three, the Wallabies found themselves behind on the scorecard with only a few minutes left to conjure up an escape.
Fortunately for them, though, they won a penalty after the ball rebounded off a Scottish player following an untidy line-out. Bernard Foley then stepped up for Australia, with the pressure of a nation on his shoulders, and knocked the penalty over to send the favoured Wallabies into the semi-finals.
Earlier, it was the steady boot of Scottish captain Greig Laidlaw that punished the Wallabies in the first half, as they took a 16-15 lead into the break.
The sole try for the Scots came after a momentary lapse in defence at the ruck which saw centre Pete Horne cross in the 18th minute, giving Scotland a five-point lead.
This was in response to an earlier try from Adam-Ashley Cooper after the Scottish defence rushed up on Tevita Kuridrani, giving the Wallabies flier a clear run to the line.
Drew Mitchell crossed in the 30th minute for Australia before Stephen Moore made a shrewd call to go for the lineout in the 39th minute, allowing Australia to crash over for a try right on the stroke of halftime.
Bernard Foley failed to convert all three first-half tries.
Australia retook the lead swiftly in the second half, with Drew Mitchell scoring his second try of the game. This was after a yellow card had been issued to Scottish right winger, Sean Maitland, for a deliberate knockdown with the Wallabies on attack.
After a Laidlaw penalty, the Wallabies thought they were in again, but the TMO found a subtle knock-on at the ruck and the play was called back for a scrum.
A Bernard Foley penalty followed, giving Australia their six-point buffer back with 25 minutes to play.
But a charge-down from Scotland in the Wallabies half allowed Tommy Seymour to charge over for a try, cutting the lead to just one with 20 minutes left on the clock. Greig Laidlaw narrowly missed his first kick of the night.
Australia missed a couple of opportunities to put another try on the board, moving the ball from side to side. But eventually the pressure told on the Scots, who couldn’t prevent Tevita Kuridrani reaching out to score the Wallabies’ fifth try of the game in the 64th minute.
Foley converted to give Australia an eight-point buffer. A penalty to Laidlaw cut it to five points with 11 minutes on the clock.
Then horror struck for the Wallabies.
As the rain pelted down for the first time in the match, James Slipper threw a risky ball in his own half which was pounced on by the Scots for a converted try.
So with just four minutes left on the clock, Scotland was ahead by two.
That lead didn’t last long, At a defensive line-out, the ball bounced around like a pinball, came off a Scottish shoulder, and was eventually picked up in front of the offender.
Referee Joubert blew his whistle and awarded a penalty to Australia.
Bernard Foley stepped up, steadied himself, then struck the ball sweetly through the posts.
Scottish hearts were broken as the Aussies celebrated.
The Wallabies escaped to fight another day against Argentina in the semi-final, with the winner of that match playing the winner of the All Blacks-Springboks battle on the over side of the draw.
Davo
Guest
Just want to point out although World Rugby apparently ruled the penalty an incorrect decision, it doesn't mean a Scottish victory was certain. Alternative? Two minutes to go scrum feed just outside the opposition 22. A kick would likely have decided this encounter anyway by who else than.... I'm not saying the above scenario is guaranteed, but neither was a Scottish victory (with or without that penalty). One thing is certain, the psychological experiment on the wallabies will continue.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Because I'm not saying that. In their careers at Stade Francais and their last Super Rugby appointments, McKenzie was marginally more successful. Cheika after 14 tests has a better winning ratio than McKenzie with the Wallabies, but McKenzie's career started and finished with 5 games against SA & NZ, so that means he played the top teams more regularly. Cheika has played them a total of 3 times, in a single abbreviated rugby championship. As Foley showed on the weekend with his goal kicking, you can sneak through a few lucky games. You won't do it over a long period though. A favourable TRC draw COULD be a few lucky games. When Cheika coaches a full TRC next year he will either replicate similar results, and prove he is superior, or won't and the questions will be asked. What I'm saying is RIGHT NOW, comparing McKenzie & Deans Wallaby careers to Cheika's is apples and oranges due to the lopsided draw (compared to regular draw) Cheika's Wallabies have had in his first full season. Cheika has coached 14 games and faced the All Blacks and Springboks 3 times. (21% for both, 14% for AB's) Compare that to McKenzie. He faced them a total of 10 times in his 22 games. (45% for both, 27% for the AB's) Compare that to Deans who faced them something like 31 times in his 75 games. (41% for both, 22% for AB's). Both Deans and McKenzie faced the AB's alone more frequently (Marginally only) than Cheika's Wallabies have faced both the AB's and Boks. Next October this will have evened out.
Muzzo
Guest
Still can't see why you say McKenzie was more successful, when he never ever, beat the AB's. OK he drew with them once, but that is not a win. Shall we just wait till Cheika's tenure is over before we compare, as at this stage, he is ticking a few boxes with possibly a few more to tick. In regards to Dean's, if you would like a better insight to his coaching ability, I would suggest that you try reading Anton Oliver's book, "I Anton Oliver", as it does tell a few home truths. Cheers.
kezablonde
Guest
Joubert's instincts were that a possible Wallaby try was thwarted
kezablonde
Guest
or higher!
Antoni
Roar Rookie
Wow, you appear to be really hurting that the Wallabies won. Post after post of the very extreme comments. Try to get over it, it is just a game you know.
Antoni
Roar Rookie
He got a very difficult shot for goal that won the match in the rain under enormous pressure. Yes, he made several errors and missed several goals. That doesn't change what he did with that kick. He deserves credit for that. And criticism for the poor aspects of his game. One doesn't cancel out the other the way you describe it.
DT
Guest
It wasn't the Strauss/Phipps contact that was the problem. Ball bounces off Strauss's shoulder and Phipps' arm almost simultaneously. Then, Scottish number 8 plays at it, gets a faint touch, ball goes forward and is then grabbed by Scottish replacement player in an offside position. Deliberately playing the ball in an offside position is a penalty.
Lancaster Bomber
Guest
He also missed a penalty shot in first half.
Pandanus
Guest
I've rewatched the game and now have absolutely no sympathy for Scotland. They were so absolutely cynical at the set piece (scrum and breakdown). The illegal play by the Scotish loose heads and number 6 was appalling. They opted to milk the scrum for penalties rather than to win the ball and do something creative. Typical cynical NH rugby and I for one am glad that they lost. Jouberts refereeing of the scrum was appalling and it was only those penalties against the Wallabies that put Scotland in a position to maybe challenge for a win. Their lack of grace in the fulltime interviews was also a diagrace.
Cliff (Bishkek)
Guest
Still be ungracious in his speeches at the end of a game
Cliff (Bishkek)
Guest
I will - they will be at the bottom of the 6 Nations - apart from Italy
Cliff (Bishkek)
Guest
Seems you have a very small vocabulary. Same words on same thread. And no changes. Must be a poor education.
Cliff (Bishkek)
Guest
I am afraid an appointment with your optometrist is recommended. If you look at the try that was disallowed, Genia did not knock on, it was a Scottish hand knocked it down. And Foley - he nearly lost it for us. Not saying QC would have done better but Foley was poor although his last kick - thank you very much!
Rob na Champassak
Roar Guru
Scotland should have gone a man down before halftime for collapsing a maul that was rumbling towards the line anyway. As far as I'm concerned they fully deserved the yellow even if not for the reason it was eventually given.
StuMac
Guest
That team a year ago for all of the reasons listed, had it continued like that, would have likely lost to Wales this time and probably England & gone out. By fixing the team in the key areas, the WBs were able to beat them both (just) & lead the group into the so called easier side of the finals. Just because we beat Wales consistently in the past counted for little in this RWC, Wales are a much better side & so are the WBs. In March 15 the IRB rankings were England 4, Wales 5, Australia 6 (lowest ever) That's the point.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
He may in hindsight also think it wasn't the best call. May also be very glad. Who knows.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Yeah McKenzie was sacked. As was Cheika. But McKenzie's record was more successful. It you're a Super Rugby team looking for a coach it's a good omen. I don't get how the lack of preparation time for the EOYT makes Cheika a good coach. The team performed poorly. That may be an excuse to say he's not a bad one but it's excusing poor results, and then complimenting his ability without achieving anything. McKenzie was sacked from the Waratahs, he also coached them to a final (possibly 2, not certain) the year he was sacked. The next 2 coaches achieved worse than he ever did. Perhaps it wasn't the right decision? Cheika is a good coach. His 14 games as coach though, have also had an easier draw than any of his predecessors. Let's see him coach at least one full length rugby championship or more before we compare him to coaches who played the All Blacks and Springboks close to 40% of their career games.
mtiger
Roar Rookie
Agree with IronAwe. That was under 10 error. But the other two gifts, (1) a clear charge down prospect, yet no respect for your opposition, gifted another try, which would be a full on 7 everytime (with Laidlaw), and a prop in the 10 pocket double pumping a pass? that made both ball and receiver a target. Those two gifts are why we talk about the flyhalf
Muzzo
Guest
OK so he won one, but I'm pretty sure, that he was possibly involved in a final, or semi, in the other,. Remembering that, McKenzie was sacked from Stade, along with the Waratah's, & never beat the AB's. But why mention Dean's? He was only, just a good super rugby coach, if that.. After his performance with Mitchell, as assistant coach to the AB's,myself along with more than a few Kiwi's would've been happy that he never ever got the top job, & that's not having a tunnel vision. But apart from that, I do reckon that Cheika is a very good coach, considering, he was virtually, thrown into the job. Like 3 or 4 days to prepare for a Nh tour, last season.