Deans's joy as rugby slam bid starts with England win

LONDON (AFP) - – Australia coach Robbie Deans praised the "courage" of his side as they started a quest for a grand slam over the home unions with an 18-9 victory against England at Twickenham.

The Wallabies are attempting to mark the 25th anniversary of the lauded 1984 side's achievement in beating England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales on the one tour with a first slam bid since a star-studded team featuring Mark Ella, Michael Lynagh and David Campese swept all before them.

However, at 9-5 down at half-time, Australia looked like falling at the first hurdle against an England team buoyed by the return of three World Cup winners in star fly-half Jonny Wilkinson, hard-working hooker Steve Thompson and rampaging flanker Lewis Moody.

But novice Wallaby scrum-half Will Genia, the man-of-the-match after a display belying his 21 years, made sure Australia were on the scoreboard Saturday thanks to a smartly taken try before experienced stand-off Matt Giteau kicked the Wallabies into the lead.

And, with nine minutes left, full-back Adam Ashley-Cooper shrugged off a couple of poor attempted tackles to score the match-clinching try.

With rugby union, rugby league and Australian rules all competing for talent at home, the Wallabies have traditionally made up for a relatively small playing base through intelligent coaching and smart on-field thinking.

However, after a Tri-Nations where Australia finished a distant third to South Africa and New Zealand, there were those questioning whether Kiwi coach Deans was the right man to guide the side.

But while victory over an injury-hit and limited, if gutsy, England is unlikely to still the debate over Deans, there was no denying the his players' composure as they worked their way back into the match.

"I'm proud of the boys," Deans said after Australia had won for only the second time in eight Tests. "They had to work hard through the first-half.

"We had a sense that it was coming but we haven't always shown a lot of patience in recent times, and belief, to be fair.

"But, in this instance, we showed a lot of courage. Defensively, we worked hard and we used a bit of nous just in terms of field position.

"Ultimately, that weight of territory and possession told."

Six Nations champions Ireland are next up for Australia and Deans, looking ahead to the Dublin clash, added: "Croke Park is a great venue and it will be very challenging.

"It's not dissimilar to today - the first 20 minutes will be full on, very passionate, and we have to weather that."

Australia might have won by a greater margin had they not made a mess of a couple of try-scoring chances in the second-half.

Former All Black full-back Deans though said: "I was happy with the way we kept our composure and wore them down.

"The guys didn't become frantic after the missed opportunities and that trust and patience paid off and that's a habit we want to keep."

However, England's lack of try-scoring threat was summed up by Wallaby captain Rocky Elsom, a familiar foe to many in the home side after starring for Leinster during the Irish province's European Cup triumph last season.

"I didn't feel like we were being really stretched," said the flanker.

"Our blokes were working hard on the inside. We adjusted well and when we were scrambling, we didn't give away any penalties either."