Hoiles steals Wallaby win
26 May 2007
Stephen Hoiles scored an injury-time try to secure a 29-23 win for Australia over Wales.
The late score was a cruel blow for the Welsh, who at one stage lead 17-0. They looked to have won their first Test in Australia when James Hook sunk a drop goal with eight minutes to go. But an expansive passage of play eventually saw Hoiles dive over in the corner.
Given that this was the season opening Test, it would be unfair to expect a fluent contest. But both sides will know that there are significant gains to be made as their season progresses. The new look Wallaby backline looked as impotent as their 2006 predecessors while the Welsh lineout was an absolute shambles.
If the partisan crowd were hoping that this match would signal a new begining for the Wallabies after their indifferent form last season, they would’ve been highly disappointed. Wales had opened a significant lead within 20 minutes, with both their tries coming as a direct result of Wallaby errors.
The host’s desire to get width on their game cost them early on. In the second minute of the match a wayward long-range pass by Matt Giteau drifted behind Sterling Mortlock and spilled loose. The ball was hacked ahead and collected by Hook who popped to Gareth Thomas who muscled his way over the chalk. Australia completely dominated the possession and territory stakes in the first-half, but the Welsh defence stood firm and forced the Wallaby backline into a lateral attack.
That pressure defence was central to their second try, when Julian Huxley was forced to throw a 50-50 pass that was easily intercepted by Jamie Robinson. Hook slotted a penalty shortly after to give his side a 17-point lead in a half they had been second best in. In fact, the Dragons made their first foray from structured play into the Wallaby 22m in the 25th minute.
To their credit though, the Wallabies stuck to their structures, and got themselves into the match when Wyclif Palu crossed after 13 phases. They continued to pound up at the Welsh defensive line who stood firm. But a slipped tackle by Brent Cockbain allowed Nathan Sharpe to barge over from 5m out, and Australia were back in business. The hosts continue to shift the ball wide, with Giteau’s service from the ruck base a highlight of the game. The Force man’s allround performance was excellent, with his sniping breaks around the fringes getting the Australians good go forward.
It was a blend of Giteau brilliance and Welsh incompetence that allowed the No 9 in for the Wallaby’s third try, 15 minutes into the second-half. Giteau picked up and went blindside, only to be presented with an unguarded fringe and strolled in to make it a one point game.
At that stage Wales had wrestled the momentum from Australia and had camped in their half in the third quater. But ill discipline in promising positions cost them, and allowed Australia to creep back into contention. A Mortlock penalty took his side ahead for the first time, before Hook missed his first kick of the match.
But the flyhalf made sure eight minutes from the end, with a drop goal that looked to have sealed victory.
The Wallabies launched an all-out assault on the Welsh line with numerous attacks being thwarted through some spirited defence. Ultimately Wales were forced to send to many players into the rucks and the opportunity present itself out wide where Hoiles sent the Telstra Stadium into a frenzy.
Australia - Try: Wycliff Palu, Nathan Sharpe , Matt Giteau, Stephen Hoiles Conversion: Stirling Mortlock (3) Penalty: Mortlock
Wales - Tries:Gareth Thomas, Jamie Robinson Conversions: James Hook (2) Penalty: Hook (2) Drop goal: Hook
By Ryan Vrede
Australia – 15 Julian Huxley, 14 Mark Gerrard, 13 Stirling Mortlock, 12 Adam Ashley-Cooper, 11 Drew Mitchell, 10 Stephen Larkham, 9 Matt Giteau, 8 Wycliff Palu, 7 Phil Waugh (c), 6 Rocky Elsom, 5 Mark Chisholm, 4 Nathan Sharpe, 3 Guy Shepherdson, 2 Stephen Moore, 1 Matt Dunning.
Subs: 16 Adam Freier, 17 Benn Robinson, 18 Dan Vickerman, 19 Stephen Hoiles, 20 George Smith, 21 George Gregan, 22 Scott Staniforth.
Wales – 15 Lee Byrne, 14 Gareth Thomas (c), 13 Jamie Robinson, 12 Sonny Parker, 11 Chris Czekaj, 10 James Hook, 9 Mike Phillips, 8 Iestyn Thomas, 7 Matthew Rees, 6 Adam Jones, 5 Brent Cockbain, 4 Rob Sidoli, 3 Colin Charvis, 2 Gavin Thomas, 1 Jonathan Thomas.
Subs: 16 Richard Hibbard, 17 Ceri Jones, 18 Michael Owen, 19 Scott Morgan, 20 Gareth Cooper, 21 Ceri Sweeney, 22 Gavin Henson.
26 Comments
26 May 2007, 10:29 am
hmmm…. we going to be allowed to post comments on live games?
26 May 2007, 11:02 am
Got the Green and Gold on,going to the rugby pub in town to hurl abuse at the Pomms
26 May 2007, 11:03 am
lol #2
26 May 2007, 11:03 am
Enjoy Oxshark, it’s your turn bro!
26 May 2007, 11:05 am
Morning Pirlet,still a bit miffed was supposed to play a touch tournament in Paris but got let down by visa probs,how is the weather your side?
26 May 2007, 11:07 am
Morning Pietman,you are rite,I had a ticket to the Bok v Pomm game at Twickers that we lost so I need a bit of a payback
26 May 2007, 11:14 am
will be interesting to see how many English chaps turn out to watch the game in the pubs -
26 May 2007, 11:19 am
Looks like Andy Farrell and Peter Richards will also miss the test: from the BBC:
England have been forced into two more late changes before Saturday’s first Test against South Africa.
Centre Andy Farrell and scrum-half Peter Richards are the latest victims of the stomach virus sweeping the camp.
Farrell is replaced by Toby Flood, while Andy Gomarsall, 32, comes in for Richards for his first Test since 2004.
Prop Nick Wood and wing David Strettle have already had to be replaced, while Shaun Perry, Anthony Allen and James Simpson-Daniel come onto the bench.
Interview: Jonny Wilkinson
Gloucester’s Wood, who was to make his England debut in Bloemfontein, tore a chest muscle in training and will play no part in either Test against the Springboks.
“I feel sorry for Nick because he has a really good Premiership season and has fully deserved an opportunity to play,” England coach Brian Ashton told BBC Radio Five Live.
He has been replaced by Saracens’ Kevin Yates, who wins his first England cap for 10 years.
The 34-year-old won his last cap against Argentina in 1997, and breaks John Bentley’s England record of nine years and 44 days for the longest wait between caps.
“I never gave up hope,” said Yates, whose England career was curtailed when he received a six-month ban for biting the ear of London Scottish flanker Simon Fenn during a domestic cup game in 1998.
Fenn required 25 stitches but Yates has always maintained his innocence
606: DEBATE
One of our few attacking threats is out – great!
DM
Strettle, meanwhile, was hospitalised with the virus on Wednesday, and sees his place go to Iain Balshaw.
“I obviously feel for David as it is his first tour, but Iain is an experienced player and will do a good job for us,” Ashton said.
“The virus seems to vary in its intensity. Some players have been sick, some players have just had stomach cramps. Some have recovered within 24 hours but others have taken a couple of days and they are still not feeling much better.”
Saracens’ Dan Scarbrough and Bath prop Matt Stevens have joined the squad as additional cover.
Wing Scarbrough has flown in from England Saxons duty, while South African-born Stevens flew by private jet from his parents’ home in Cape Town.
The injuries and illness are just the latest blow for Ashton, who is already fielding a massively under-strength team with about 30 first-choice players missing.
The struggling world champions have not won away from Twickenham for 15 months, while South Africa will go into the match in Bloemfontein on a high after two of their teams fought out the Super 14 final on Saturday.
26 May 2007, 11:21 am
really wanted the Boks to have a go at Farrell – Looks like the Poms are having all the luck!
26 May 2007, 11:33 am
Farrell is awful. Must be one of the slowest centres in the world. This is a blessing for England.
Weather here in Belgium is ****.
Can’t wait for the game. Hope there will be a nice big crowd after all!
26 May 2007, 12:05 pm
waltzing matilda.. how I love international rugby ! hehe
26 May 2007, 12:06 pm
i was looking forward to watching farrell for the first time. is he really bad pirlet cos all i’ve heard is that he’s a League legend. maybe he’s a bit like wendell, too good in league and average in union?
26 May 2007, 12:07 pm
that blonde singing the anthem.badly designed dress,pulls her right *** down.looks tacky.
try wales!!!!!
26 May 2007, 12:07 pm
HAHAHA try wales
26 May 2007, 12:10 pm
#12, he might be a legend in league, but I promise you I’m not being biased when I say he is ****. He’s way too slow. England just has no one to fill that position at the moment.
26 May 2007, 12:12 pm
Jeez knock on after knock on for AUS. They have really lost it.
26 May 2007, 12:14 pm
12 – likewise….
26 May 2007, 12:19 pm
What are the Aussies thinking with Giteau at 9. WTF? Connelly is a bit like Jake, he’s asking the media to stop the bashing but I’m afraid he jsut like Jake at times is making shocking selections.
26 May 2007, 12:22 pm
haha 14-0
26 May 2007, 12:23 pm
And Wales is quite a **** team, they’re even resting players. Watch out SA we could be in for a tough match with Eng if we don’t play hard.
26 May 2007, 12:23 pm
good try that one pirlet.aussies are kak at the telstra stadium nogal.
26 May 2007, 12:23 pm
Giteau is just plain **** at 9, poor Aus
26 May 2007, 12:24 pm
I agree Pirlet.
Giteau is probably the best inside-centre in the world, I can’t think of any one that can match him. So the coach takes him, and sticks him at scrum-half where his attacking skills can’t be used, and drops Gregan.
You can say what you want about Gregan, but he sure as hell knows how to control a backline. And that is what Australia needs with a pleb at 8, a debutant at 10 (is Norton-Knight or Larkham playing), and a guy who has barely played centre, at 12.
26 May 2007, 12:25 pm
#20 Pirlet you must be joking?
26 May 2007, 12:26 pm
17 – 7 Boks v Wales in the irb sevens in london
26 May 2007, 12:26 pm
No, if SA start making konck ons all ovver the palce like Aus it could…but it won’t happen hehe.