Deans Dejected as Australia Suffer

The only way is up for the Wallabies after they begin their 2012 international campaign with a 9-6 defeat to Scotland at Hunter Stadium in Newcastle.

In atrocious conditions made even worse by a strong, swirling wind, the home side had plenty of opportunities to put the game out of reach but repeatedly turned over possession, leaving them at the mercy of a potential late upset.

Scotland pulled off the shock with the last action of the match when Greg Laidlaw potted his third penalty goal of the match. Wallabies prop Ben Alexander was penalised by referee Jaco Peyper for collapsing the scrum and Scottish fly-half did the rest

The Wallabies have only themselves to blame after pouring on the pressure for much of the second half and dominating possession for long periods. The Scots held firm through a combination of solid defence and indecisiveness from the home attack.

Earlier, Scotland kicked out to a 6-0 lead on 28 minutes after two Laidlaw penalty goals but the Wallabies hit back through Mike Harris and the scores were all tied up three minutes into the second half at 6-6.

The home side's futility was summed up in the 72nd minute when a Berrick Barnes drop goal attempt went closer to corner flag than the posts.

The result is the second boilover in successive season openers for the Wallabies - last year they were embarrassed by minnows Samoa in Sydney.

It was the second successive defeat to Scotland, with Australia left shell-shocked by a 9-8 loss at Murrayfield in 2009.

Robbie Deans's side now has just four days to recover before they face Wales in the first match of a three-game series in Brisbane on Saturday night.

The dire conditions ensured kicking for territory was almost impossible for the Wallabies kickers in the first half.

However, overall Australia were disciplined in defence and only presented Scotland play-maker Laidlaw three opportunities to make the most of the wind advantage and post points.

A crowd of 20,088 turned out despite the conditions for the first ever rugby Test in Newcastle.

Coach Robbie Deans said Australia didn't have it "in their DNA'' to close out matches they're expected to win.

"We learnt that we weren't all on one page. We lack a bit of clarity around our direction in terms of just banking games like that and I guess it's not in our DNA,'' said Deans.

"It's an art we've got to develop.

"We had enough possession to put the game out beyond reach. But credit to Scotland. They got one opportunity in the second half and took it.

"We weren't accurate enough in closing the game out it was that simple.''

Deans said the Wallabies must learn the same quick lessons if they want to trouble Wales in the first of three Tests in just four days time.

"It's a similar circumstance, but something good came out of that so that'll be our intention in this instance,'' he said.

Deans said the scheduling of the match just two days after a Super Rugby weekend and four days before another Test was out of his hands but denied the Wallabies had underrated the Scots.

"You're talking to the wrong bloke really. There's a lot of respect from our group. Total respect. It's a test match,'' he said.