Angry Cheika vows changes
– Wallabies coach Michael Cheika (above) has demanded greater urgency from his players and promised team changes in the wake of their spluttering Test defeat to Scotland.
The Australians gave away two tries and could not make up the leeway despite dominating territory and possession to go down 24-19 to the resilient Scots in Sydney on Saturday.
The loss will have ramifications with an imminent slump to sixth in the next world rankings – behind Ireland, Scotland and South Africa – the Wallabies’ lowest position since early 2015.
The Scottish defeat comes against the backdrop of a demoralising Super Rugby season for Australian teams and the negativity over the drawn-out Sanzaar saga to cull three teams from next year’s competition.
Cheika, who cut a frustrated figure, said the Wallabies were “half-a-yard away all the match”.
Compounding the loss was the Wallabies’ self-inflicted wounds during a dreadful opening half.
The Scots led 17-12 at half-time with both their tries coming off Australian mistakes.
Centre Duncan Taylor swooped on a poor Will Genia pass and flyhalf Finn Russell charged down Genia’s clearing kick for another try.
Only two tries from Israel Folau – one from a long ball from Bernard Foley and the other when the athletic fullback soared spectacularly to snatch Foley’s pinpoint crossfield kick – kept the Wallabies in the first half.
Yet despite the intensity ratcheting up after half-time and Australia hitting the front at 19-17 midway through the second half, Scotland roared back with a magnificent converted try by openside flanker Hamish Watson. – AFP