Wallabies stunned in tour opener

http://www.abc.net.au/sport/content/200611/s1779260.htm

Wallabies stunned in tour opener

Australia's rugby tour of Europe got off to a losing start as they went down to a stunning 24-16 defeat by a largely second-string Neath-Swansea Ospreys side in Wales this morning.

The defeat came just days before Australia's return to the Millennium Stadium on Sunday, where they will try to avenge last year's defeat by the Welsh.

Rugby purists might quibble that as the team representing the visitors was billed as Australia A, that this result was not quite up there with the great tour upsets, including Swansea's own victory over Australia in 1992 and fellow Welsh side Llanelli's defeat of New Zealand 20 years earlier.

But the fact was that Australia took the field with 13 internationals while the Ospreys were minus 13 first-choice players, including legendary All Blacks scrum half Justin Marshall and Wales centre Gavin Henson.

Wallabies assistant Coach Scott Johnson says his side made too many mistakes.

"I think we let ourselves down a little bit you know, we didn't complete as well as we wanted to," he said.

"I think with a couple of positional changes guys were not sure exactly what to do and where to go.

"We let ourselves down trying to hurry a few things along so we put pressure on ourselves. And look, it was great endeavour by them and you've got to reward endeavour."

All was going to plan for the Wallabies when they went ahead through centre Adam Ashley-Cooper's try after good work by full-back Cameron Shepherd.

But the Ospreys hit back to level at 13-13 with hooker Barry Williams's try, before Chris Mustoe intercepted a pass from Wallaby fly-half Mark Gerrard and sprinted in some 40 yards with time running out.

Shaun O'Connor, the home side's fly-half, kicked 14 points, including an important drop-goal and was named man-of-the-match.

Australia's defeat was compounded by the sight of Wallaby blindside flanker Hugh McMeniman, who played against Wales last year, being carried off after eight minutes.

McMeniman, 23, who was injured in the second line-out of the game, was making his comeback six months after undergoing a shoulder reconstruction.