Wallabies win on back of solid defence

Australia nailed a gutsy 23-18 win over South Africa at Suncorp Stadium, the defensive line holding firm as the visitors pressed at the death for a last-gasp win.

Instead the Wallabies line held firm and it was South Africa that eventually broke down when a wild pass was snatched up by the Australian defence in the 84th minute.

When Matt Toomua was able to punt the ball over the dead-ball line, it triggered wild scenes of celebration for the Wallabies after one of their bravest performances since the last World Cup. The win snapped a fourmatch losing streak and relieved pressure on coach Michael Cheika.

It wasn’t pretty but Australia overcame the disruption of losing Israel Folau and Adam Coleman to grind out an important result and revive their Rugby Championship campaign.

After two tries apiece in the first half, the only points in the second came through a pair of Toomua penalties which settled the match in the home team’s favour. Toomua contributed 15 points all up to cap a strong outing in his first start for two years.

The win was Australia’s first since the opening test of their June series against Ireland, although critics of Cheika will not have been convinced by their performance.

After David Pocock (neck) was scratched from the team originally named by Cheika on Friday, the Wallabies had another two late withdrawals before the match, with fullback Folau still hampered by his ankle injury and lock Coleman sitting out due to family reasons.