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Debutant stops Italians with disputed try
Greg Growden in Padova Chief Rugby Correspondent | November 10, 2008
WHILE Wallabies novice Quade Cooper won the Test with a "dream come true" moment, Italy argued that his match-winning try, which saved Australia from embarrassment, should not have been awarded.
The scatty Wallabies, who trailed Italy in the first half and were under enormous pressure when the scores were level at 20-20 in the last quarter of the game, had to rely on a great individual try from Cooper in the 71st minute to keep intact their unbeaten record over the improving Six Nations opponent.
A player can not do any better on his Test debut than to win his country an international, which was why an ecstatic Cooper was in a state of disbelief after the match.
However, Italy's coach, Nick Mallett, countered that Cooper's magical moment would never have been if the referee had done his job.
Mallett argued that Cooper's try, which came after a frantic midfield run and several perfectly timed sidesteps, should have been called back by New Zealand referee Bryce Lawrence because an Italian defender had been deliberately taken out.
"I was very disappointed with their second try because there was blocking, and [No.8] Sergio [Parisse] was knocked off his feet in front of the ball. That try should never have been awarded," Mallett said.
"That's why I believe the International Rugby Board should allow referees to have a look at video in instances where there appears to be obstruction. It's embarrassing when your captain is put on his arse, and the guy runs straight through the hole he was in. You don't want to lose a game on a try like that."
The Wallabies were unaware of the obstruction. And Cooper, who had come onto the field only 10 minutes before scoring to replace the injured Timana Tahu, was unconcerned with the Italian complaints.
"So many dreams came true tonight," he said. "To play with some of my idols and then to score a try like that is fantastic. The space opened up. I saw the line, the adrenalin was pumping through me, and I ran as fast as I could. It was just instinct.
"This is amazing, as I know there are millions of people back in Australia who would love this opportunity. I was lucky enough to get it, and I've taken it with both hands."
The Italian protests were just part of a confusing afternoon, which saw the match played on a field clearly smaller than the usual dimensions. The Wallabies team management had complained before the game that the length of the field was about five metres too short, the in-goal was minimal, and the width of the field had been tightened. But there was nothing anyone could do about that because the field was surrounded by an athletic track.
Then after the match, the Wallabies team bus broke down, and they had to use the opposition team bus to get back to their hotel.
It was not much better during the game, with the Wallabies often breaking down. Their midfield kicking was dreadful - one from halfback Luke Burgess even went backwards - the decision making in attack was all over the shop, and they often seemed to forget the fact that the easiest way to upset Italy was to run straight at them up the middle of the field. Instead, the Wallabies tried to push too many passes, reacting without thinking.
While he was pleased that the Wallabies held up in the final 15 minutes, coach Robbie Deans was irked that they were "ill-disciplined in our own half, and ill-disciplined on attack in terms of our decisions in carrying the ball".
"Hence we alleviated pressure when we were starting to get on the front-foot by losing ball," Deans said.
"It's been indicative of our season that we've let the opposition in too easily. At the 65th-minute mark, it was game on. At that moment the switch was flicked, and we got the response we've been seeking. Thankfully, that response we got from the 65th to 80th minute was pretty remarkable."
And even in praising his new loose-head prop Ben Alexander, he was sure to sting Wallabies who struggled elsewhere.
"Ben had an outstanding game, being active in the set-piece, but also around the ground," he said. "He made some great decisions for a bloke who was playing his first game in a long time, let alone in a Test match. His decisions in the carry were exceptional. I might get him to have a word to a few of the backs."
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