Dawson slams Aussie approach
London
November 19, 2000

England scrum-half Matt Dawson admitted he was "very disappointed" by Australia's time-wasting tactics after the world champions slipped to a 22-19 defeat at Twickenham.

Speaking as a television analyst ahead of Ireland's Test against South Africa on Sunday, Dawson, a second half replacement for Kyran Bracken at Twickenham, said: "I was very disappointed because it's not the way Australia became world champions.

"I am a huge fan of southern hemisphere rugby, particularly Australia and New Zealand and the set-ups they have there.

"But it was no surprise there was so much injury time in our match.

"They [the Wallabies] were running up to line-outs then collapsing with cramp.

"Journalists told me that even they could hear on the TV coverage [the referee] Andre Watson saying to them he'd seen them doing it. But if a prop goes down with cramp you have to stop the game."

Dawson, the Lions scrum-half in their series victory in South Africa in 1997, said he would be cheering for Ireland to complete a weekend sweep over the Sanzar unions.

"I'm right behind the Irish today," he said. "If they can beat South Africa it could be a major step forward for all of us."

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