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Bouncing back Strong second half lifts Aussies over Scotland
EDINBURGH (Reuters) -- Fullback Chris Latham scored a crucial second half try on Saturday as world champions Australia bounced back from a disappointing first half to beat Scotland 30-9 at Murrayfield. The teams were level at 9-9 at halftime after Scotland had defended superbly and put the Wallabies under intense pressure in the scrums and lineouts. Australia winger Matt Burke and Scotland flyhalf Gregor Townsend both kicked three penalties before the break. Ten minutes into the second half, Latham cut through the Scotland line to run in from 25 meters. The score seemed to lift the Wallabies who had struggled for long periods to play running rugby. Winger Joe Roff then dived in at the left-hand corner in the 64th minute and Burke, who kicked three superb conversions from difficult positions, raced in near the right-hand corner flag in the 70th minute to put the outcome beyond doubt. The right winger finished with a personal tally of 20 points. It was not a vintage performance from the World Cup holders, however. Their backs struggled to make an impact in the first half and their handling will need to be sharper when they take on a stronger English outfit at Twickenham next Saturday. Their forwards will also need to be more dominant in the set pieces. The home pack caused the Wallabies major problems in the lineouts and scrums from the start and lock Scott Murray was a dominant figure for the Scots in the lineout. "We sort of looked a bit lost in that first half," said Australia coach Rod Macqueen. "But we able to come back in the second half, I think probably the structure started to come. "Particularly in that second half we started to show a bit of structure. We always knew they would be good. They've obviously done a lot of work on the lineouts in particular. "They have probably been the best side we have come up against as far as their lineouts are concerned. They made it very tough for us. All credit to them, I thought they played well." Townsend came within a few centimeters of giving the home side the lead seconds before the break when his 30-meter penalty kick rebounded off the posts. Scotland deserved to be level with the world champions as the Wallabies, experts at multi-phase rugby, failed to find a way through the well-organized Scottish defensive line. Their ferocious tackling made it impossible for the Australian backs to find any space. The Wallabies seemed to be missing the speed and creativity of halfbacks George Gregan and Stephen Larkham who have been unable to tour because of injury. Flyhalf Rod Kafer, who was replaced by Elton Flatley early in the second half, and scrumhalf Sam Cordingley worked hard but failed to produce the attacking flair of Gregan and Larkham. The Wallabies really needed Latham to give them the initiative in the 50th minute when he cut through the Scottish line at speed to run in from 25 meters. Burke converted to give the world champions a 16-9 lead. The Wallabies then seemed to have more belief that they could score tries with the ball in their hands. As the Scots struggled to keep their defense as tight, the opportunities opened up for Roff and Burke to show their finishing speed out wide. Scotland tried hard to score in the later stages but the Wallaby defense held up well. "The lineout was excellent," said Scotland coach Ian McGeechan. "I believe we have a world-class lineout. The Australians aren't often beaten in the lineout. "We are disappointed that we gave scores away. Their defense is excellent. They regroup faster than any other international side."
Teams: Australia - 15-Chris Latham; 14-Matt Burke, 13-Daniel Herbert, 12-Stirling Mortlock (22-Nathan Grey 72), 11-Joe Roff; 10-Rod Kafer (21-Elton Flatley 56), 9-Sam Cordingley (20-Chris Whitaker 77); 8-Toutai Kefu (18-Mark Connors 69), 7-George Smith, 6-Matt Cockbain (19-Jim Williams 41), 5-John Eales (captain), 4-David Giffin, 3-Fletcher Dyson (17-Glenn Panoho 48). 2-Michael Foley (16-Jeremy Paul 41), 1-Bill Young.
Copyright 2003 Reuters Limited. All rights reserved.
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