Australie 23-32 Samoa.
Ca commence mal…!.
ROBBIE Deans described it as an awakening, perhaps because the Wallabies had just experienced the nightmare scenario of recording one of the biggest upset losses in Australian rugby history.
Not since the Wallabies were stunned by Tonga in 1973 have they dropped a game to a so-called second-tier nation. Now in the first game of the World Cup year, with only four Tri-Nations Tests before the Cup in New Zealand the Wallabies have been humbled again on their own soil.
At no point in their 32-23 defeat did the Wallabies lead, being outscored four tries to two by a more physical, committed and enthusiastic opponent.
It began ominously enough when the Wallabies lost possession at the kick-off, but it became a sign of worse things to come.
You could certainly understand the Wallabies not being at their best, because this was not their best team. Eight members of the 40-man squad – Luke Burgess, Ben Daley, Salesi Ma’afu, James O’Connor, Wycliff Palu, David Pocock, Tatafu Polota-Nau and James Slipper – were unavailable because of injury, while Deans rested six members of the Queensland Reds Super Rugby winning team – James Horwill, Rob Simmons, Saia Faingaa, Anthony Faingaa, Quade Cooper and Radike Samo.
Deans tried to bring players from the five Australian provinces together in one week, which was difficult, as well as introducing several players to Test rugby, including Nick Phipps, Rod Davies, Beau Robinson and Sitaleki Timani, who were left wondering if they would ever play another Test.
While that could explain why the Wallabies looked so disjointed, it still does not excuse the fact they were beaten so badly in the physical exchanges, notwithstanding the fact the Samoans are renowned for their toughness and aggression.
« We got beaten in terms of the physical exchanges, » Deans said. « They defended strongly. They knocked a lot of ball out, attacked the breakdown and turned the ball over and then they profited off that. Obviously, they’re a good combination. We knew that because it’s a globally selected side. It’s a World Cup combination. We are just starting. It has given us an awakening in terms of what’s going to be required to be competitive (against the Springboks in Sydney) in six days. »
Captain Rocky Elsom denied the suggestion Australia did not respect the Samoans after he turned down several easy shots at penalty goal in the first half to kick for touch and have an attacking lineout. « The thing that let us down was that we were not effective enough in our attack, » Elsom said. « We had the opportunity to create things, but we didn’t because we weren’t good enough at what we were doing. »
After being ambushed by the Samoans, the cavalry will arrive this week in the form of the Reds players that Deans rested.
Most of the injured players will remain in the casualty ward, but openside flanker David Pocock is certain to play. Deans admitted Pocock, who has had a foot irritation, could have played yesterday, but it was decided not to risk aggravating the injury.
Playing in front of a crowd of 29,808, which included many Samoans, Samoa raced to a 17-0 lead in the first 28 minutes, following tries to giant winger Alesana Tuilagi and fullback Paul Williams.
The Wallabies trailed 17-10 at half-time after winger Digby Ioane, of Samoan heritage, scored in the 37th minute and five-eighth Matt Giteau kicked a penalty goal after the siren.
Giteau reduced the deficit to four points with another penalty goal just after half-time and the Wallabies’ resurgence seemed about to occur. But it never came. The injection of halfback Will Genia and fullback Kurtley Beale in the 55th minute added some spark , but it was not enough. Instead, Samoa extended its lead to 16 points with tries to secondrower Kane Thompson and outside centre George Pisi before Giteau gave the Wallabies some hope with a try in the 70th minute following a chip and regather by replacement number eight Scott Higginbotham.
, le il y a 12 années et 9 mois.
