Wallabies Strike Out in South Africa

The Wallabies Tri-Nations campaign has gotten off to a poor start in Pretoria tonight with the Australians suffering a heart breaking 22-16 defeat at the hands of the Springboks.

Australia led 13-6 at half time and were ahead by three points midway through the second half, but a late South African onslaught saw the home side snatch victory in the closing minutes much to the delight of the capacity crowd at the Securior Loftus Stadium.

With the scores level at 16-16 heading into the final 10 minutes it was Springbok fullback Percy Montgomery who broke the deadlock as he slotted home his fourth penalty goal of the match and then as the fulltime siren sounded fly half Andre Pretorius landed a drop goal to ensure the Wallabies remained winless in Pretoria.

After all of the controversies that have plagued the Wallabies in their two week stay in South Africa they were hit by more bad news shortly before kick-off with David Lyons ruled out with a virus leaving coach Eddie Jones no choice but to perform a quick restructure that saw John Roe moved to no.8, while Phil Waugh and George Smith filled the flankers spots.

The reorganization of the line-up saw the Wallabies start slowly falling behind 3-0 to an early Montgomery penalty goal, but two Matt Giteau penalty goals saw the visitors in front before a drop goal late in the first half from Montgomery levelled proceedings at 6-6.

The teams looked likely to head to the break locked at 6-6, but George Smith changed all of that crashing over adjacent to the posts after receiving a clever ball from his captain George Gregan just a minute out from half time to send the Wallabies to the sheds full of momentum at 13-6.

South Africa hit back early in the second half with a beautiful back line movement sending winger Breyton Paulse away untouched and with Montgomery’s conversion the teams were tied up once again (13-13).

Australia got themselves back in the lead once more thanks to another Giteau penalty goal, but the Springboks drew level yet again in the 62nd minute with Montgomery’s second penalty goal of the game.

Both sides had their chances over the concluding stages of the match, but in the end it was the boot of Percy Montgomery that sealed the win for the Springboks as he steered his long range penalty attempt through in the 72nd minute to consign the Wallabies to yet another fruitless South African tour.

It was not all doom and gloom for the Australians though as their six point defeat was good enough to secure a valuable bonus point that could come in handy when all is said and done.

The Tri-Nations competition continues next weekend in Cape Town with the All Blacks opening their campaign against Springboks, while the Wallabies will be back in action in two weeks time when they welcome the New Zealanders to Telstra Stadium for their Tri-Nations/Bledisloe Cup clash.

SOUTH AFRICA	22
Tries: Breyton Paulse. Conversions: Percy Montgomery. Penalties: Percy Montgomery 3. Drop Goals: Percy Montgomery, Andre Pretorius
AUSTRALIA	16
Tries: George Smith. Conversions: Matt Giteau. Penalties: Matt Giteau 3.
@ the Securior Loftus Stadium, Pretoria.   Referee: Paul Honiss (NZ)   Crowd: 48,000 Weather: Fine, Sunny.   Surface: Good.   Half Time: Australia 13-6.