Scotland 9-8 Australia, Murrayfield, November 21
Robinson's Scotland raise the roof
Huw Baines
November 21, 2009

Andy Robinson's status as Scotland's favourite Englishman will have been confirmed after his side produced a wonderful defensive performance to blunt Australia's attack at Murrayfield.

It was Scotland's first victory over the Wallabies since 1982 and came in a style that may not have been pleasing on the eye but was packed full of guts and commitment. With the rain teeming down across Edinburgh Scotland rolled their sleeves up and got stuck in, throwing everything at the tourists for the full 80 minutes.

There had been panicky editorials in the Australian press all week following their draw with Ireland at Croke Park and their worst nightmares came true at a Murrayfield still showing plenty of empty seats. Chances are that the swathes of blue will be slightly less visible next weekend against the Pumas as Scotland look for a remarkable 100% return on their autumn series.

This win will bring a feel-good factor in Scottish rugby; the task now is to sustain it through to the Six Nations. There is still a lot to do, Scotland's gameplan was as one-dimensional as it was brave and they were battered up-front by Sekope Kepu and the Wallaby front-row.

Phil Godman has waited a long time to be No.1 in the Scottish pecking order and he is beginning to look the part. The fly-half was composed and brave, with only a single kick going awry. Chris Cusiter will be disappointed to have missed the majority of the game after taking a knock to the head, but he can hit the hay tonight knowing that his instinctive lunge to prevent Stephen Moore form scoring proved vital.

In the back-three there remain questions, as there is a decided lack of cut and thrust. If Scotland are going to play on this little possession, which is not out of the question, then perhaps the razor-sharp likes of Thom Evans might be a decent bet ahead of the solid likes of Simon Danielli and Sean Lamont.

John Barclay had a majestic game against the old-stager George Smith on the openside and in Clermont flanker Jason White and Scotland's all time caps-holder Chris Paterson Robinson had the trump cards. Paterson's drop-goal exemplified his worth, he really has been there and done that and will remain an invaluable resource.

Robbie Deans and Australia will have a tough week. They play Cardiff Blues on Tuesday and Wales next weekend, with the challenge now not the Grand Slam tour that they set out to achieve. Now they have to avoid an ignominious tour record of played four, won one, drawn one and lost two.

Make no bones about it; they should have won this game at a canter. Their profligacy in attack was second only to Matt Giteau's startling lack off accuracy with the boot. Ryan Cross's try came after over 80 minutes of territorial dominance, overwhelming possession and several gilt-edged try-scoring opportunities.

Giteau lined up the conversion and Murrayfield's wish came true, as his kick joined two missed penalties and a drop-goal in the 'what might have been' pile. Stephen Moore, Rocky Elsom and Drew Mitchell all crossed the Scottish line but were denied thanks to a combination of superb defence and their own errors.

Wales have not been good this autumn, but the Millennium Stadium has been a bogey ground for the Wallabies in recent years. Their only win there since 2005 came at the 2007 Rugby World Cup and last year's 21-18 defeat will be fresh in the memory. Giteau will have to erase this game from his memory. Rocky Elsom, young in his captaincy, will need to find a way of geeing up a squad that is staring in to the abyss.

The midweek side has a key role now in picking up momentum on Tuesday at the Cardiff City Stadium. They have to wallop the Blues and hope that the win provides fresh impetus.

© Scrum.com
Huw Baines is the Assistant Editor of ESPNscrum.

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