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Scotland have pulled off a famous victory at Murrayfield in Edinburgh this morning overcoming the Qantas Wallabies 9 – 8.
Flyhalf Matt Giteau slumped in despair after missing with a conversion attempt two minutes into stoppage time that would have saved Australia after hard running centre 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.
‘‘We’re very disappointed. We definitely didn’t come here to lose,’’ Wallabies captain Rocky Elsom said.
‘‘The error rate was something that really hurt us. The Scottish defence was very good and probably the key to them getting on top at the end of the match.
‘‘But we definitely added to that. I don’t think every one of our mistakes was forced.’’
Australia dominated possession throughout but the Scots, under new coach Andy Robinson, produced a world-class defensive performance to keep the Wallabies at bay.
Jubilant Scotland supremo Robinson, the former England coach, labeled his side's display as the most courageous he has ever been involved with in rugby.
And he tried to play down his own influence on the victory, opting to heap praise on defence guru Graham Steadman and stand-in skipper Ally Kellock.
Robinson declared: "Graham has done a remarkable job. The defensive performance was also the best I can remember.
"We needed a bit of luck - but we worked so hard to earn that luck.
"If we can show the same degree of courage every time we play, we can grow this team.
"I would have preferred a little more width to our play, but that is simply evidence that we still have to improve. This is a platform for that to happen.
"Games are decided by inches. Matt Giteau narrowly missed a few penalties for them - and one of Phil Godman's (Scotland’s flyhalf) 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!
"I also have to pay tribute to Ally (Kellock), who took over as skipper when (Chris) Cusiter went off.
"His leadership was fantastic."
Australian coach Robbie Deans sighed: "We got what we deserved for not taking chances.
"Credit to Scotland for their brave defence."
Compounding the Wallabies’s woes were suspected tour-ending 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 on a medicab with his neck in a brace after he collided heavily with Scottish forward Nick de Luca.
Robinson lasted just 17 minutes before he was forced off with a shoulder injury.
Despite the setbacks, plus the withdrawal on match eve of explosive centre Digby Ioane, Australia should have had more than enough firepower to put lowly-ranked Scotland to the sword.
But the writing was on the wall with the scores locked at 3-3 at halftime after Giteau missed a routine penalty goal attempt in the 37th minute and then also pushed a drop goal attempt wide seconds before the break.
Elsom looked to have put the Wallabies ahead when he crashed over in the 46th minute, but French referee Romain Poite ruled no try after consulting the video referee.
‘‘I felt that I had enough pressure on the ball that it was down on the ground,’’ Elsom said.
Australia dominated possession and territory throughout the match, but found themselves behind 6-3 when Scotland flyhalf Godman landed a 57th-minute penalty goal which struck the left upright before falling over.
A drop goal four minutes from fulltime to replacement pivot increased Scotland’s lead to 9-3 before Cross dived over off a Giteau pass after some 20 phases of build-up from the Wallabies.
Alas, Giteau’s conversion attempt from 23 metres out and about 10 in from the left-hand sideline missed to the left.
The Wallabies head to Cardiff on Sunday ahead of one final Test next Saturday against Wales with their hopes of completing an unbeaten tour of the UK and Ireland now ended.
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