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Matt Giteau - Source: Reuters -
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Australia's rugby season reached a shocking new low with an
humiliating 9-8 loss to Scotland at Murrayfield on Sunday.
Five-eighth Matt Giteau missed a conversion attempt two minutes
into injury time that would have saved Australia's blushes after
Ryan Cross had scored the game's only try in the 81st minute.
The stunning victory was Scotland's first over Australia since
1982, ending a painful run of 16 successive losses to the
Wallabies.
Compounding Australia's woes were worrying injuries to key forwards
Wycliff Palu and Benn Robinson.
The game had to be stopped for several minutes midway through the
second half as Palu was transported from the field with his neck in
a brace after he collided heavily with Scotland forward Nick de
Luca.
Robinson lasted just 17 minutes before he was forced off with a
shoulder injury.
Despite the set back, plus the withdrawal on match eve of explosive
centre Digby Ioane, Australia should have had more than enough
class to put lowly-ranked Scotland to the sword.
But the writing was on the wall with the score 3-3 at halftime
after Giteau missed a routine penalty goal in the 37th minute and
also pushed a drop goal attempt wide seconds from the break.
Scotland's points came from two penalty goals from Phil Godman and
a Chris Paterson drop goal.
The Australians play Wales next weekend.
Scotland 9 (Phil Godman 2 pens Chris Paterson drop goal)
Australia 8 (Ryan Cross try Matt Giteau pen)
