Watson grabs revenge for Scots’ World Cup misery

A SENSATIONAL try by Hamish Watson helped Scotland beat Australia in Sydney and avenge two consecutive narrow defeats, including a controversial World Cup exit, to the Wallabies.

Returning Down Under for the first time since 2012 and their famous 9-6 in atrocious conditions in Newcastle, Scotland were determined to put to bed that controversial 35-34 defeat in the 2015 World Cup as well as a 23-22 heartbreak at Murrayfield last October.

Saracens centre Duncan Taylor got things going for the Scots who also had Finn Russell signing off with a charge down try before linking up with the Lions.

Each try were answered by one from Israel Folau for the Aussies who trailed 17-12 at the break before going two points up when Will Genia crossed just before the hour.

But it wasn’t to be for the hosts as Scotland, who moved up to fourth in the World Rugby rankings as a result of their win, showed the flair they are starting to get renowned for as a 40metre sweeping move involving half a dozen of players was finished by Watson.

“It was fantastic,” said Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend. “I’m really proud of the effort the players put it in. The last 15 minutes of those defeats were fresh in our minds, so it required a lot of effort.

“If you have to defend ten to 15 minutes against a team as brilliant in attack as Australia, you need strong bonds, and that is what this team has.”

The Scots had the best of the early exchanges and it wasn’t long before they were in front, through full-back Greig Tonks’ long-range penalty goal on three minutes.

Taylor then brilliantly red a blind pass from Tatafu Polota-Nau to intercept and run untouched from 30 metres. Russell’s conversion made it 10-0.

But the Wallabies hit back when Bernard Foley found Folau with a huge gap out wide for the full-back to storm over.

But Foley was binned for a late tackle on Russell who went on to charge down Genia’s clearing kick to restore Scotland’s ten-point lead.

It was Scotland’s turn to lose a man to the bin with Ryan Wilson shown a yellow card for killing the ball and a minute later Foley found Folau with a pin-point crossfield kick for his second score.

Genia burrowed over for a try to edge Australia in front for the first time on 57th minute but it didn’t last as Scotland went back on the attack and Watson sealed the win in style five minutes later.

Australia head coach Michael Cheika said: “We have had big contests in the past, they are a well-coached team, and they have had some big results in the Six Nations. We knew what we were in for and got exactly what we expecte.”