EDINBURGH - Australian goal kicker Matt Giteau says missing the last-second conversion attempt that would have beaten Scotland rates "up there" with the emptiest feelings of his career.
Named last week on the shortlist for the world player of the year award, Giteau was brought crashing to earth in theshock 9-8 loss at Murrayfield.
The record-setting playmaker left his kicking boots at home, completing an unwanted set of misses with his wayward conversion, penalty and drop goal attempts ultimately costing Australia victory in the Edinburgh wet.
Giteau was left shattered after pushing his attempted conversion of Ryan Cross' stoppage-time try midway between goalposts and sideline to the left of the posts, the reprieve handing Scotland their first win over Australia since 1982.
The five-eighth - who this year racked up an Australian-record 72 points during the Tri Nations tournament - also missed a routine penalty in the 37th minute and failed to slot a drop goal from in front of the posts just seconds before halftime.
"Unfortunately, I didn't hit it really well. It's disappointing, there's not a real lot else to say. I mis-hit it."
Giteau's off night followed a mixed afternoon with the boot last Sunday in Dublin when he hooked two penalties before nailing a sideline conversion to give Australia a 20-13 lead minutes before Ireland pulled out a converted try to snatch a 20-20 draw.
Wallabies captain Rocky Elsom admitted he wasn't sure what to expect from Giteau's kick at the death on Saturday but had no doubt he was still the man for the moment.
"I didn't really know where that kick was going to go, so I didn't feel home and hosed [after Cross' try] that's for sure," Elsom said.
"But if I was going to give a crucial kick to anyone, it would be Matt. He's our kicker, he's the best we've got and that's why he kicks our kicks."
