Australia grind out win with power play

AUSTRALIA opened their five match Irish itinerary against Connacht at the Sports Ground, Galway, yesterday and, as expected, duly won their first assignment. However, the manner and execution of their success most certainly did not follow the anticipated pattern.

The 17 point winning margin in many respects flattered the Wallabies, who maintained their 100 per cent record on this tour, having won the six matches on the Scottish leg of their visit.

It was a performance lacking in any level of authoritative play by the Australian backs. It was the power of their pack which steered the side to victory. An uncharacteristic approach from the Wallabies, it proved productive nonetheless.

"We are reasonably happy with our performance; we won, and that is seven wins from seven matches," said Australian coach Greg Smith, whose words did not match the stern nature of his countenance.

I have never seen a bigger attendance at a match in the Sports Ground and the Connacht side gave the spectators the reward of a full hearted display. Their first half effort was particularly commendable. Indeed, at the interval Connacht led 12-7, with four penalty goals from out half Eric Elwood.

Elwood, playing his second match in 24 hours, played really well in that period and well enough throughout the match to give substance to the view that he is back to his very best form.

The match was marked, too, by a remarkable innovation that brought Connacht a try in the 80th minute. Elwood found touch with a superb kick just short of the Australian line. Connacht brought 13 players into the line out - all but the hooker and scrum half. The ball was won by Graham Heaslip and the assembled Connacht horde pushed over the line. Shane Leahy got the touchdown. It brought the biggest cheer of the day and the score to 20-30.

The Australians got another converted try in injury time, leaving them with a flattering scoreline.

Australia's only reward for what was quite frankly a very indifferent first half was a try from their accomplished second row Tim Gavin. Converted by full back Tim Wallace, the try arrived in the 21st minute following a scrum.

In that period, Connacht gave as good as they got and their tackling was excellent. Their back row trio stopped the Australians breaking over the gain line and when Australia tried to spin the ball wide they met a solid midfield defence. Elwood kicked the penalties and the Australians knew they were in a match.

"If they came in expectation of a romp, they got a bit of a surprise," said Connacht coach Warren Gatland. "I thought our young side did very well and their first half display was especially good and the tackling was excellent. They changed their tactics in the second half and reverted to forward power and that took its toll on our pack."

That is an extremely accurate assessment as Australia used the maul and drive in the second half to break Connacht down. David Campese scarcely saw a ball on the wing. Australia also brought Wallace up from full back to outhalf in that second period as they opted for the power game. They had the resources to make it pay dividends.

Yet, when Elwood kicked his fifth penalty, just after the interval, and Connacht led 15-7, there was the possibility of a major upset. However, a fine break by number eight Owen Finegan from a scrum opened the way for a try from George Gregan in the 47th minute. Wallace converted to bring Australia to within a point of the home side at 15-14.

Wallace then kicked a penalty before Gregan got a second try to move Australia 22-15 clear with 20 minutes remaining. A try by the hard working Finegan and a penalty from Wallace left the Wallabies comfortably placed at 15-30 as the game entered its final moments.

Then came Connacht's 13 man line out. "It was a ploy we used on our tour of Sweden at the start of the season," said Gatland.

"We have a few other innovations, too, but did not get the opportunities to try them."

The Connacht tackling was indeed very good and Australia did not have the subtlety and ingenuity to break them down behind the scrum. "The were tenacious and tackled very well and it was hard to play an expansive game against them. Elwood also kicked very well," said Smith.