Giteau makes no excuses

Fly-half insists Wallabies defeat was just "one of those games"

By Rachel Griffiths   Last updated: 22nd November 2009   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Giteau makes no excuses

Giteau: No excuses

You've just got to take it like any other kick. Unfortunately, I didn't hit it really well

Matt Giteau
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Matt Giteau insisted it was just "one of those games" after his poor kicking form sentenced Australia to their first defeat against Scotland in 27 years.

The 27-year-old usually accurate boot was off target in the Murrayfield clash as he somehow missed a penalty from close range before following up with a failed drop goal attempt and another miss from 40 metres out.

The final nail in the coffin came in the closing seconds when Giteau stepped up knowing his conversion attempt would seal a Wallabies win.

Instead the number 10 watched on in horror as his attempts to add the extras went wide, sealing a stunning win for the Scots on home soil.

"There's not a real else lot to say other than I mis-hit it," said Giteau after Australia's 9-8 defeat.

"You've just got to take it like any other kick. Unfortunately, I didn't hit it really well. I had other opportunities to knock earlier ones over that would have made it a lot easier.

"It was just one of those games."

Errors

Giteau was adamant his earlier errors and the excitement of the home crowd had not affected him when he stepped up for the stoppage-time decider.

"You just worry about what you've got to do at that point and that's all I was trying to do," he added.

"We obviously understood the scoreline and the importance of the kick."

Australia head coach Robbie Deans said the loss, which saw two disallowed tries for the tourists, was the lowest point of his time in charge.

"Personally, it's probably up there," acknowledged Giteau. "We had our opportunities - three times where we crossed over and we didn't get a try.

"We just weren't good enough."

Giteau, who admitted the team were "pretty quiet" in the dressing room after the defeat, believes Australia must compensate for ending their 16-match winning streak against Scotland by fighting back in their remaining matches.

"From a team point of view, it's how we bounce back," he added. "We've still got two games to go. I think it's a real test of character."