The Wallabies dodged the guillotine in winning their first rugby international in France in eight years, Australian press reported on Monday.
Australia prevailed 18-13 in Paris on Saturday thanks largely to a woeful kicking performance by David Skrela, with the Toulouse flyhalf missing five penalties and a drop goal.
”It was far from a complete performance by the visitors as their task was made so much easier by Skrela missing five of his seven shots at goal, including several crucial kicks in the final 10 minutes,” the Sydney Morning Herald reported.
”As Skrela also blundered a relatively easy drop-goal attempt, 18 French points went begging, helping the Wallabies to enjoy a great escape in Paris.” The Herald said the Wallabies seemed intent on making life difficult for themselves.
”What could have very easily been the defining, and ultimately embarrassing, moment of the Test came just before half-time when the Wallabies’ scrum collapsed on the French line, which led to South African referee Craig Joubert awarding a penalty try,” it said.
The Australian newspaper, while conceding the Wallabies had ”burgled” the French, praised the coaching of Robbie Deans for helping Australia to win back-to-back Tests against major nations for the first time since 2000.
Deans was forced into backline positional switches late on match day when outside centre Ryan Cross was ruled out with gastroenteritis.
Fullback Adam Ashley-Cooper was switched to outside centre, winger Drew Mitchell dropped back to fullback and bench back Digby Ioane was elevated to the wing.
”It was testimony to Deans’ mix-and-match policy in training that Ashley-Cooper, Mitchell and Ioane all played outstanding rugby, but as part of a wider Wallabies operation that took its chances without ever taking charge,” The Australian said.
”Deans was intent on putting an end to the Wallabies’ boom-and-bust cycle, but while they have finally followed up a major victory under their new coach by then winning the next Test, this was a much less convincing performance than last week’s showing against England at Twickenham.” – Sapa-AFP