Aussies have the last laugh in Rugby World Cup history

Australia's Scott Fardy wins the ball during a lineout against Scotland in the quarterfinal of the Rugby World Cup.

London - Penalty in dying minutes helps Wallabies silence Scots on way to semifinals

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By AFP

Published: Mon 19 Oct 2015, 12:00 AM

Last updated: Tue 20 Oct 2015, 12:38 PM

 Australia's last gasp win over Scotland made it an all Southern Hemisphere semifinal line up for the first time in Rugby World Cup history on Sunday.
Australia's 35-34 victory over the Scots at Twickenham saw them seal a last four berth back at Twickenham next Sunday against Argentina - who thrashed Six Nations champions Ireland 43-20 earlier in Cardiff.
Two-time world champions South Africa will play defending titleholders New Zealand in the other semifinal also at Twickenham on Saturday.
Australia's hero, or for the Scottish the anti-hero, was Bernard Foley as he landed a last minute penalty, contentiously awarded by South Africa referee Craig Joubert.
"It's a penalty and that's how it works, that's life," said Wallabies coach Michael Cheika.
Foley - who failed to land a kick in the first-half and saw a chip blocked and result in a Scottish try in the second period - repeated his heroics of the Super Rugby final last year when he landed a last minute penalty to break Scottish hearts.
Australian fans had the last laugh as they silenced the Scots.
Scotland fans were bouncing around in delirium as their team seemed set to pull off a shock victory and become the only northern hemisphere side in the last four.
But Bernard Foley's last-gasp kick meant the Aussie minority got the upper hand, despite the boos ringing round the stadium.
Supporters heading to the ground were treated to a clarinet rendition of "Waltzing Matilda" and a kilted bagpiper playing the "Star Wars" theme tune.
Scotland supporters were clearly in the majority among the 77,110 at the home of English rugby.
They were joined by Queen Elizabeth II's daughter Princess Anne, patron of the Scottish Rugby Union, who was in the VIP seats wearing a tartan scarf.
After full-throated renditions of "Flower of Scotland" and "Advance Australia Fair", Scotland's Finn Russell got the match under way.
Despite Australia scoring a try and dominating the opening 10 minutes, it was the Scots making all the noise in the stadium.
And they had plenty to cheer as captain Greig Laidlaw's kicking and Peter Horne's try put Scotland 13-5 ahead, sending chants of "Scotland! Scotland! Scotland!" rolling round Twickenham again.
Foley missed a third conversion just before the break, giving the Scots a 16-15 lead to contemplate at half-time. Malcolm Thomson, from Edinburgh, wearing a horned Viking Scots hat, said despite the scoreline, Scotland would probably lose.
"It's a big surprise. I didn't expect us to be so competitive early on," he said. "They've far exceeded expectations. But the Aussies look like real class. I don't even want to dream about victory."
The heavens opened with 10 minutes to go, which seemed to fire up Scotland fans even more.
And there was delirium in the 74th minute when Mark Bennett intercepted a James Slipper pass and charged in under the posts, a try converted to give Scotland a 34-32 lead.
But when Foley kicked his winning penalty - despite deafening boos - the Aussies had the final word.
 

AFP

Published: Mon 19 Oct 2015, 12:00 AM

Last updated: Tue 20 Oct 2015, 12:38 PM

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