Just one point...it’s agony for Scotland against Wallabies
A LATE converted try by Australia saw them defeat Scotland 23-22 in an end-toend Test match at BT Murrayfield yesterday.
The Scots had led 17-10 at the break and they were still 22-16 to the good when Australia replacement Will Skelton was yellow-carded in the 68th minute.
However, 14-man Australia rallied and they scored what proved to be the winner with five minutes to go, centre Tevita Kuridrani going through some poor Scotland tackles to reach out and get the try under the posts.
Stand-off Bernard Foley converted and they added to their win over Wales from last week, but this had been was far less convincing.
In attack Huw Jones, in his first start, was the star for Scotland in defeat with two tries.
Australia skipper Stephen Moore said: “That was a bit hairy, Scotland played some good rugby and put us under pressure.
“Credit to my guys though they did not panic and we kept going at them even with 14 men and we got the reward late on. Plenty to work on though that’s for sure.”
Centurion Ross Ford led out the hosts and his achievements seemed to spur on his team mates as they got off to a flying start.
Full-back Stuart Hogg’s jinking run set-up centre Alex Dunbar in space and he made 40 metres.
From there Scotland nearly scored a try, but they did kick a penalty through skipper Greig Laidlaw.
Australia then had some pressure before one player from each side – Scotland No.8 Ryan Wilson and Australia second-row Adam Coleman – had to leave the field injured.
Scotland scored the game’s first try in the eighth minute when a great chip by stand-off Finn Russell bounced nicely for Jones and he ran in under the posts from 40 metres. Laidlaw converted.
Second-row Richie Gray then went off injured before Australia bagged their first try.
It came after a slick backs move, centre Reece Hodge the man finishing it off. Foley converted and it was 10-7.
Gray then returned to the field before Australia drew level in the 23rd minute when a Foley penalty crept over the bar.
That man Jones was at it again in the 28th minute, a pass from tighthead prop Zander Fagerson setting him up for try number two. Laidlaw converted.
Before the break Scotland had plenty of possession and John Hardie, on for Wilson, and fellow back-row John Barclay did some great defensive work as it stayed 17-10.
Australia then got off to the perfect start in the second half with a second Foley penalty after 42 minutes.
Scotland’s third try came six minutes later, though, a great break by Hogg eventually setting up Jonny Gray to go over after the referee checked with the TMO.
Laidlaw’s conversion hit the post, but it was 22-13.
Debutant prop Allan Dell went off injured after a good shift to be replaced by Gordon Reid at loosehead. Soon after Australia won a kickable scrum penalty and Foley did the job.
With 15 minutes to go some more Hogg magic nearly created a fourth Scotland try, but winger Tim Visser just failed to collect his chip into the visitors 22.
Australia's Skelton was then yellow carded for an off the ball hit on a Scotland defender in the ruck.
Into the closing stages it really was a nervy time and Australia managed to grab a try.
It was a cracking finish by Kuridrani, but the Scots defence was not as it should have been. Foley converted and the visitors led 23-22.
That was how it ended to leave Vern Cotter’s men wondering what could have been. because we could and perhaps should have closed things out.
“However, looking at the bigger picture I was very pleased with what I saw from my team. We adapted well to losing our No.8 Ryan Wilson early on and the boys put in a real shift.
“Huw Jones is just a young boy, but he has some talent and an eye for a gap while new props Allan Dell and Zander Fagerson stood up to the test well.
“We know that to win Test matches we have to stop giving as many penalties away. We’ll look at that this week ahead of Argentina.”