Young Scots overwhelmed by Australia

Wallaby rugby would seem to have a bright future judging by the performance of the Australian Schools against Scotland under-19 at the Oriam indoor centre yesterday.

They displayed power, pace and a good deal of rugby nous in out-gunning Scotland by a 7-2 try margin. The score might have been bigger had the visitors’ skilful full-back, John Connolly, not been shown a red card for foul play in the second half.

The young Scots were for the most part on the back foot, defending against a side that ran clever lines behind the scrum and which in the forward battle had the beef and technique to boss the breakdown.

Scotland coach Ben Cairns was full of praise for the visitors and said: “They’re a very good team at the end of a successful tour. They play some terrific rugby and are very talented.”

The young Australians showed their scoring potential with an early try by flanker Carlo Tizzano, the prelude to scores by scrum-half Spencer Jeans and No 8 Will Harris, all three converted by stand-off Reejan Pasitoa, who also kicked a penalty.

Just before half-time Scotland were awarded a penalty try after the visitors had pulled down a maul, but Australian Schools quickly restored their dominance in the second half, scoring through Angus Bell and Max Douglas and a conversion by Pasitoa before another penalty try put Scotland into double figures.

In a late flourish Australian replacement Thomas Lambert dotted down for the final score.