Oxford University were heroes as they took on the world champions Australia at Iffley Road yesterday, eventually going down 52-27.

Indeed, for a few glorious minutes, there was a chance that the gallant Dark Blues might pull off one of rugby's greatest shocks.

When scrum half Dan Taberner raced 60 metres for their third try, Oxford trailed only 31-27 and the Wallabies were clearly worried.

However, they raised their game a notch and scored three more tries to establish a comfortable victory.

But the glory belonged to Oxford, whose discipline (they conceded just five penalties all match) was exceeded only by the strength and the commitment of their defence.

Hardly a tackle was missed throughout, and it was only when they ran out of numbers that their defences were breached.

Inspired by Simon Miall, Oxford held their own in the line-out and suffered very few turnovers as they made the second-string Aussie outfit work for every point.

The tourists, who play England at Twickenham this Saturday, took 13 minutes to open their account when full back Chris Latham was put clear for a try converted by fly half Manny Edmonds.

Oxford stand-off Seb FitzGerald, who had an assured game, replied with a penalty, before tries by Graeme Bond and scrum half Chris Whittaker, one of which Edmonds converted, put the Aussies 17-3 ahead just before the break.

The game then came to life with a remarkable try from Oxford winger Will Rubie. Bond dropped the ball just as he appeared to be going over for his second try.

Rubie gathered the loose ball and set off for the tryline about 100 metres away.

Latham tried to chase him, but the lightning-fast Rubie outsprinted them all and even had time to raise his arm in triumph before crossing the line.

This try raised the roof as the 5,000 crowd gave him a standing ovation. FitzGerald's conversion incredibly made it 17-10 at half-time.

The Australians, who made a number of handling errors that cost tries, piled on the pressure early in the second half with converted tries from Scott Staniforth and flanker Phil Waugh sandwiching a neat drop goal from FitzGerald to make it 31-13.

But Oxford came storming back with two tries of their own.

Prop Kevin Tkachuk forced his way over following concerted pressure on the Wallabies' line, and then Taberner raced over for his interception try. With Fitzgerald converting both, Oxford were suddenly only four points adrift.

That was as near as they got, as the tourists responded with second tries for Latham and Staniforth either side of an effort from replacement centre Nathan Gray. Edmonds converted all three for a personal tally of 12 points.

However, Oxford, never let their heads drop in a game - and an occasion - they will never forget.

**Oxford Univ: Marsh, Rubie (79), T Robinson, Adlen (Thompson 79), Ellerby, FitzGerald (Fuchigami 79), Taberner (Scholes 79), Tkachuk, Nicholas (Brooks 79), Nwume (Lehner 55, Hughes 79), Russell (Edwards 46), Miall, Sherriff (McBride 77), Bolger (Hallett 67), B Robinson (Gemmell 23).

Australia: Latham, Tune, Staniforth, S Kefu (Gray 75), Bond, Edmonds, Whitaker, Young (Stiles 70), Cannon, Moore (Darwin 70), Bowman, Connors, Cockbain, Waugh (Finegan 56), Lyons (Smith 60).

Referee: D Gillet (France).

Attendance: 5,500.