August 24, 2008

CAPTAIN Stirling Mortlock was the hero in Durban last night as the Wallabies ended an eight-year drought in South Africa.

The match-winner in 2000 with a last-ditch goal, Mortlock scored a stunning solo try in the second half of last night's Tri-Nations match to seal a 12-point victory.

Trying to hold off a fast-finishing South Africa with 14 minutes remaining, the Wallabies skipper charged through three defenders to score a try through sheer will power.

The improbable try perfectly summed up a tough Wallabies performance, which was full of character and self-belief.

After weathering a fierce Springbok onslaught in the first half, the Wallabies not only refused to buckle but motored away from the world champions in the second.

Leading 10-0 at halftime, tries to Lote Tuqiri and Mortlock after the break consigned the world champions to their second straight loss at home after also going down to the All Blacks.

The win keeps Australia's hopes of winning the Tri-Nations alive, but sinks those of the Springboks. The loss will place huge pressure on their new coach Peter De Villiers, who was booed after the game.

Penalised heavily by referee Lyndon Bray, the ill-disciplined Boks felt hard done by, but once their game plan of bash and disrupt was negated they had little else to worry the Wallabies defence.

Matt Giteau was superb with the boot, Rocky Elsom was named man of the match on his return from injury and Tuqiri and Mortlock were immense.

The win came at a cost, though, with shoulder injuries to Berrick Barnes and Daniel Vickerman.

"It's been a long time between drinks,'' Mortlock said.

"I'm certainly happy with the way we got stuck in today. It was a great win.''

The Wallabies led 10-0 at halftime after a bruising first half. They signalled their intention in the first minute when stoutly defending their goalline from an early Springboks onslaught.

Giteau slotted a penalty goal in the seventh minute after Springboks prop CJ Van der Linde headbutted Sam Cordingley at a ruck.

It was an act that should see the South African miss next week's Test in Johannesburg.

The Boks missed with a penalty shot in the 21st minute but were largely on the wrong side of the referee, who continually pinged them for ruck infringements.

After a long raid in the Boks' 22, prop Benn Robinson burrowed his way over for a try and pushed the Wallabies' lead out to 10-0.

Butch James nailed a penalty in the 47th minute, but in the 51st Giteau replied with a three-pointer of his own and the battle raged back and forth for the next 20 minutes.

Sensing the hosts might be ready to crack, Robbie Deans inserted Timana Tahu in the 60th minute, but it was another rugby league convert who sliced through two minutes later.

Giteau threw a long floating pass to Tuqiri, who beat Fourie de Preez and raced 25 metres to the line for a try. Giteau hit the conversion for a 17-point lead with 15 minutes to go.

The Boks bounced back immediately. Following a neat Jean De Villiers midfield break, they found space on the right. Centre Adi Jacobs plucked the ball from an ensuing ruck and dived over untouched to score.

The lead was down to 10, but Mortlock scored a spectacular try soon after to secure the win.

Fulltime

AUSTRALIA 27 (Stirling Mortlock, Benn Robinson, Lote Tuqiri tries Matt Giteau 3 cons 2 pens) bt SOUTH AFRICA 15 (Adrian Jacobs 2 tries Percy Montgomery con Butch James pen) at ABSA Stadium. Referee:Lyndon Bray (NZL). Crowd:48,123.