17 Nov 2008

Win as good as Blacks triumph

5:50 am on 17 November 2008

Australia's coach Robbie Deans ranks the Wallabies' 28-14 victory over England at Twickenham

alongside their stirring Bledisloe Cup triumph over the All Blacks this year.

There was no major gloating or talk of revenge for last year's humiliating World Cup quarter-final loss in France, more a palpable sense of relief among the Wallabies that they'd answered their critics after a week's condemnation of their scrum in the British press.

Deans says he's delighted for his players after an inspired second-half revival and a record goalkicking performance from five-eighth Matt Giteau earned the Wallabies their first win over England at rugby's spiritual home since 2004.

Forced to effect twice as many tackles as England, the Wallabies refused to yield after falling behind 14-12 in the 51st minute.

In a powerful display, the Wallabies forwards - led up front by Al Baxter and Benn Robinson and hooker and man of the match Stephen Moore - shoved England off their own ball twice in the game.