SYDNEY, 2 November 2003 — Scotland and South Africa joined the World Cup quarterfinalists in contrasting fashion yesterday while Australia were given an almighty scare by Ireland before holding out for the win.
Scotland’s proud record of never having failed to reach the last eight was three minutes away from ending against fiery Fiji before prop Tom Smith rumbled over for a last-gasp try which brought his side a thrilling 22-20 victory.
But if the Scots took the honors, the admiration went to Fiji’s flying winger Rupeni Caucaunibua who scored two breathtaking first-half tries to send his team in 14-6 up at the break. An injury slowed the flyer for the second-half, which saw Scotland’s forwards take command with a series of punishing charges down the middle of the field, well away from the Fijian danger-man.
The Scots next go up against reigning world champions Australia in Brisbane on Nov. 8 in a game they will go into with nothing to lose. They will have been encouraged also by the Irish display against the Wallabies in Melbourne, which saw them draw to within one point of the Australians with just 14 minutes to go.
Ireland could have snatched victory in the closing minutes but a towering drop goal from replacement flyhalf David Humphreys drifted agonizingly wide.
In the end, the Australians stood firm and ran out grateful 17-16 winners.
“We’re happy to have got through that,” relieved Australia skipper George Gregan said afterward. “We didn’t play as well as we wanted to but that was probably to do with the way the Irish performed.
“They had most of the pressure and possession and field position but we hung in there and won a tight match which is always a good thing to do.” The defeat means Ireland will take on France in Melbourne on Nov. 9 for a place in the semifinals.
South Africa made sure of reaching the last eight with a 60-10 demolition of a Samoan side unable to recapture the magic of their losing performance against England last week.
The Springboks will likely have to settle for runners-up spot, with England looking certain to defeat Uruguay for first place today, and that will likely mean a quarterfinal date against New Zealand.
