Aussies counting the toll after stuttering victory

Australia 31 Scotland 17


GLASGOW - It was an Australian advance of sorts, but a fairly stuttering one.

With a little more luck, not least with an opening Australian try that never should have been, and with a little more control in a fast and loose second half, Scotland might have claimed the scalp of the World Cup runners-up in the freezing bowl of their national soccer stadium.

A late try by their captain, George Gregan, took the Wallabies 14 points clear by the end, but on the ebb and flow of the play there was less than that between the teams.

Indeed, as Scotland's Aussie coach, Matt Williams, was quick to observe: "Take away the try that wasn't and it would have only been seven points."

As it was, though, a blatant George Smith knock-on went unpunished, Lote Tuqiri claimed a steal of an opening score and Australia registered their second win over the Scots in three weeks.

Still, there was much to console the Scots, none more than the brilliance of Chris Cusiter, an international debutant in February but a halfback of burgeoning distinction.

As for the Wallabies, they might have got back into the winning groove after a demoralising defeat against France but they hardly escaped without damage. Centre Stirling Mortlock and first five-eighth Stephen Larkham are out of the tour and winger Clyde Rathbone is rated only a 10 per cent chance of facing England at Twickenham on Saturday.

Mortlock went off in the third minute with a depressed fracture of the cheekbone, Larkham fractured his forearm and went off just before the break at the same time as winger Rathbone, with a groin strain.

Wendell Sailor, Elton Flatley and Mat Rogers came on as replacements and will start against England, but the Wallabies could be lucky to find three backs for the bench.

They need reserve halfback Matt Henjak and uncapped utility Drew Mitchell to recover from minor injuries sustained in the Australia A match last week to sit on the bench with Morgan Turinui.

If either Henjak or Mitchell is unfit, coach Eddie Jones said he would consider recalling the retired Matt Burke, who is playing for English club Newcastle.

The drastic injury situation could have a twist if Rogers is called to face an Australian Rugby Union disciplinary hearing this week for his involvement in an incident outside an Edinburgh nightclub a fortnight ago.

Rogers avoided police action after being accused of assault, but the union is to decide this week if he is to face internal discipline.

- INDEPENDENT