International - Robinson hails best-ever defence

AFP - Sun, 22 Nov 09:29:00 2009

Scotland's new coach Andy Robinson hailed his side's efforts after they claimed their first win over Australia in nearly three decades in a defence-inspired 9-8 victory at Murrayfield.

Scotland's Sean Lamont, left, Nic of Luca, center, and Alex Grove celebrate after winning against Australia - 0

Australia dominated possession throughout but the Scots produced a world-class defensive performance to keep the Wallabies at bay - and Robinson lavished praise on defence coach Graham Steadman.

"Graham has done a remarkable job," said Robinson. "The defensive performance was also the best I can remember.

"We needed a bit of luck - but we worked so hard to earn that luck.

"If we can show the same degree of courage every time we play, we can grow this team.

"I would have preferred a little more width to our play, but that is simply evidence that we still have to improve. This is a platform for that to happen.

"Games are decided by inches. Matt Giteau narrowly missed a few penalties for them - and one of Phil Godman's penalties went over via the inside of the post.

"The crowd also played a massive part. This is what sport is all about - and why I am involved in it

"I also have to pay tribute to Ally (Kellock), who took over as skipper when (Chris) Cusiter went off.

"His leadership was fantastic."

Aussie coach Robbie Deans was philosophical about the result.

"We got what we deserved for not taking chances," he said. "Credit to Scotland for their brave defence."

AFP

Comment 1 - 14 of 14

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  1. Shame Robinson isnt available to manage the english­ sack of S***te.
    Oh.
    He was?
    Really?
    Oh well.
    Show the­ english rfu know what they are doing.
    Long may jonston­ rule.

    From jacob.waugh, on Mon 23 Nov 10:18AM

  2. They've peaked.

    From Donald D, on Mon 23 Nov 9:29AM

  3. Well done Scotland. As an Irishman its great to see you­ playing so well

    From Sean, on Mon 23 Nov 8:51AM

  4. Well done Scotland, good to have you back.

    Hope this­ is the start something new for the­ Scots.

    Congratulations.

    From Cymro, on Mon 23 Nov 12:53AM

  5. This a fantastic result and Scotland deeserved to win­ and beating the wallabys is a very big achievement and­ I think it was defensively down yo the two wingers who­ were very good on the outside.

    From Rory, on Sun 22 Nov 6:00PM

  6. Maybe we should get the football team to watch the­ rugby team defend.I know they are two different sports,­ but Scotland's football team are rubbish. Maybe if­ we had a good manager...

    When will England win in the­ rugby!?!

    From mcfadden99, on Sun 22 Nov 5:50PM

  7. Scotland game was compulsive viewing, you couldnt­ script a finale like that. Was out of my seat and­ wiiling the missed conversion with all of the Jedi mind­ force I could muster, and I'm a Welshman in my­ Swansea living rom. Can only imagine the atmosphere­ around Scotland.(Hope the defence is not so formidable­ in the 6 nations!). ;-)

    From Lee R, on Sun 22 Nov 5:44PM

  8. Amazing Scottish defence & real guts to hold out­ for so long. It was poetic justice that the conversion­ failed. OK, Scotland still need to do a lot of work,­ but they are obviously on the way back. The same could­ be said for most of the rest of us. Suspect if England­ had produced a performance like that they would now be­ wittering on about how they were certs for the next­ World Cup. I've already heard them explaining that­ their inspired performance against the All Blacks­ practically guarantees them the 6 Nations­ Championship,if not the Grand Slam. Quite looking­ forward to the Calcutta Cup game personally.
    A Welsh­ rugby fan, who felt very Scottish for an hour and a­ half last night....

    From olwen, on Sun 22 Nov 4:57PM
  9. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    maybe not one to get too carried away with- Australia­ threw it away rather than being beaten....

    From Duncan, on Sun 22 Nov 2:23PM

  10. Who said Scottish rugby was dead ?
    Welle done Scotland­ !
    From an Irishman

    From Dean O, on Sun 22 Nov 1:23PM

  11. Great win by the Scots yesterday. But they were lucky­ that Giteau was off form !! Can we get Thom Evans back­ into the backs instead of Danielli and maybe we will­ score good tries as well as defend well. I want to see­ some tries on the board !

    From Cumble, on Sun 22 Nov 12:31PM

  12. good on you scotland,if you can beat them we will whip­ them

    From Phillip, on Sun 22 Nov 11:41AM

  13. In my childhood Scottish Rugby thrilled me with the­ likes of winger Arthur SMITH and full back Ken SCOTLAND­ and in more recent times Andy IRVINE and Gavin HASTINGS­ to name but a few! I never thought those great days­ would return but the efforts of the Scotland team in­ beating Australia rank up there with the best. It­ reminded me of England's win over the All Blacks I­ believe in Wellington. Go for it Scotland in the 6­ Nations from small acorns mighty oak trees can grow! A­ really great win! Proud to be Scottish!

    From sutherland229, on Sun 22 Nov 10:50AM

  14. at last a scottish team to be proud of not like those­ footballing numpties

    From Fiona, on Sun 22 Nov 10:12AM
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