Scotland can now be taken seriously. At least, that was what was suggested by the Scottish centre, Huw Jones, earlier this week, as a possible conclusion to defeating Australia and ending their autumn campaign on the up.
After a loss to South Africa and wins over Portugal and a Fijian B team, a taming of the Wallabies was a necessity, before hosting Italy in the first round of the Six Nations, to prove that Scotland had not started to flounder under head coach Gregor Townsend.
Australia were washed away with the departing Storm Bert at Murrayfield – and their hopes of a first home nations grand slam since 1984 went down the drain with them – but Scotland fans should not start hanging the bunting quite yet.
This was by no means a classic, with the Wallabies looking a shadow of the side which stormed Twickenham and ransacked Cardiff on consecutive weekends, and Scotland did not have to be close to their best to beat them. Make no mistake, after all the promise of Joe Schmidt’s side over the past fortnight, and renewed optimism for a competitive Lions tour next summer, this was a step backwards; the endeavour, the enterprise, the energy all gone. Victory next week in Dublin against a refreshed Ireland looks a tall order.
By the end, and after a cagey first half that offered more by way of niggle than quality, Scotland were running riot, scoring stylish tries virtually at will. The Wallabies were chasing shadows. Captain Sione Tuipulotu, the Australian-born centre, gave his side a half-time lead as he crossed off the back of an over-the-top line-out, but it was the try from replacement Josh Bayliss that put the match to bed. Darcy Graham, Scotland’s wing, burst onto a Huw Jones offload, behind finding Bayliss out wide. The Bath back-rower had plenty to do, but he beat three Australian defenders to score in the corner.
Duhan van der Merwe had already started to purr down the left, crossing just after half-time, but with Scotland’s handsome cushion the hulking wing started to enjoy himself. Van der Merwe burst clear in midfield, cut right, located Blair Kinghorn inside, and the full-back fed Finn Russell to score and put the result beyond doubt. A 21-point lead with 10 minutes to go? Not even a wing as magical as Harry Potter could halt Scotland’s procession to victory; but, the Australian debutant, formerly of Leicester, did bag a late consolation, getting on the end of Tate McDermott’s hack.
Australia scrapped for another score to restore scoreboard respectability, but one final goal-line stand underlined Scotland’s superiority. How much this means ahead of the Six Nations remains to be seen, but Scotland did their job.
03:37 PM GMT
Blair Kinghorn
We wanted to end the year on a high, having done a good performance against South Africa we knew we could have done better. To end the year on a high in front of our home fans is amazing.
It was a physical game, made it a little bit clunky in parts but we brought out attacking game in that second half and scored some really nice tries. Really happy.
It’s our small skills, a couple of times I’ve made errors in that wide channel. It’s down to individual skills I reckon because our shape is good, but I’m buzzing for the boys, they have worked so hard all campaign.
It’s the most special thing in the world playing in front of your own fans, pulling on the Scotland jersey. Just want to say a massive thank you to everyone who came out, you’ve been awesome.
03:32 PM GMT
FULL-TIME: Scotland 27-13 Australia
Good touchfinder from the Wallabies sets them up for a maul in Scotland’s 22, forwards getting the short carries. Somehow not held up over the line or a try, the Wallabies are a metre out.
Australia knock on over the line and that’s the game! A real statement that from Scotland who bossed most of the game and eventually wore the Wallabies down, with three second-half tries.
03:29 PM GMT
79 mins – Scotland 27-13 Australia
Final minutes now as Kinghorn is named player of the match. But, another bad Scottish lineout close to the Australian line costs them a try-scoring opportunity, which won’t make Gregor Townsend happy.
03:25 PM GMT
TRY POTTER! Scotland 27-13 Australia
Harry Potter thinks he’s scored on debut with a bit of wizardry (sorry) trying to race after McDermott’s kick and dotting down. It needs slow-mo to confirm but he has done really well to get the ball down before his legs hit the touchline. This should be given but it’s taking a while… given! Making the most of the large Murrayfield in-goal area. Lolesio converts.
03:19 PM GMT
TRY RUSSELL! Scotland 27-6 Australia
That will be that. Van der Merwe’s break, stepping defenders, before passing out to Jones and then back inside to Kinghorn and then Russell to score. Australia have made so many tackles and now they are being ripped apart with their tackle count rising above 120. No conversion, but he’s over 400 points for Scotland.
03:17 PM GMT
69 mins – Scotland 22-6 Australia
Australia clinging on now as Kinghorn goes through, before Gleeson comes up with a turnover. There won’t be an Aussie grand slam tour, which is a shame after the first two games.
03:14 PM GMT
TRY BAYLISS! Scotland 22-6 Australia
Great break from Graham, great finish by Bayliss of Bath! As he has done so often the wing nips through a bad tackle, throws a wide ball to Bayliss and the replacement back-row stands up the defender before using his speed to get on the outside and finish. Very good, his fifth try in 10 Tests. No conversion from Russell.
03:12 PM GMT
66 mins – Scotland 17-6 Australia
Spilled by Lolesio in the tackle after a steady attack from the Wallabies, giving Scotland a scrum on the edge of their 22 – and another penalty as the Wallabies collapse again. That’s two in a row. Russell clears to touch around halfway.
03:10 PM GMT
64 mins – Scotland 17-6 Australia
Shambles of a lineout from Scotland, botching it off the top, and Australia hack on through Valetini and counter up the length of the field! McDermott tries a cross-field kick five metres out which Tuipulotu snuffs out, deary me. Cleared by Scotland to touch.
03:08 PM GMT
62 mins – Scotland 17-6 Australia
New Scottish front row on now, as is the lively McDermott for Gordon at scrum-half.
Long attack for Scotland ends with Australia straying offside. About 45 metres out for Russell, posts or corner? It’s the corner.
03:03 PM GMT
59 mins – Scotland 17-6 Australia
Here come the Aussies, attacking well as another penalty comes against Cummings at the breakdown. Australia find touch five metres out… and Scotland shut down the maul! Scrum for the hosts, who are scrapping well and now get a scrum penalty too for their troubles against the new Wallaby front row.
03:00 PM GMT
54 mins – Scotland 17-6 Australia
Tuipulotu stepped by the lively Ikitau and then Australia win a breakdown penalty, Matt Fagerson off this feet. Australia’s lineout is a mess though, knocked on under pressure from Ritchie for a Wallaby scrum.
02:58 PM GMT
TRY VAN DER MERWE! Scotland 17-6 Australia
Back come Scotland, they have to make the most of this time of posesssion. A good run from Van der Merwe, then wide to the other wing where Graham cuts inside.
This time Van der Merwe steps infield and goes over to score! Good ball from Kinghorn. It’s absolutely been coming and Scotland finally capitalise. Russell converts.
02:53 PM GMT
50 mins – Scotland 10-6 Australia
Australia shaping up well off the lineout with a big run from Wilson, but it’s turned over and Scotland counter well, great offload off the ground from Kinghorn to put White into space, he chips Wright and is taken out before the ball is touched down.
Referees having a look at this… has Wright illegally blocked him there? Didn’t look as though he stepped into it. Long TMO check, but it is play on, Chris Busby deems that Wright was just bracing himself. Fair enough.
Excellent composure from the officials in front of a baying Scottish crowd. Wright did not change his line at all, stood his ground, and White ran straight into him. The Australian full-back is not obliged to move out the way. A great call.
02:51 PM GMT
47 mins – Scotland 10-6 Australia
Scotland trying to move the ball wide but Kinghorn knocks on taking Graham’s pass. Scrum for the Aussies after Ashman gets some treatment.
Penalty Australia – Zander Fagerson pinged for popping up. Australia find touch in Scotland’s 22.
02:47 PM GMT
PENALTY LOLESIO! Scotland 10-6 Australia
Tizzano hits straight back for Australia with a turnover penalty on Kinghorn from the restart. Instant response, three more points from the No 10.
02:45 PM GMT
PENALTY RUSSELL! Scotland 10-3 Australia
It’s taken a while but Scotland capitalise on all that territory and possession at last.
02:45 PM GMT
42 mins – Scotland 7-3 Australia
Another lineout for Scotland in a good position which goes to waste! It’s lost forward, chance for Australia to clear, which they do with a short kick that Graham returns with interest. Australia pinged again for not releasing and this time Scotland will go for the posts.
Are Scotland allergic to taking three points? If so, could their team doctor offer some medication? And quickly!
02:43 PM GMT
Teams are back out
Can’t see any changes yet. Kinghorn’s restart is won back by Scotland who go on the attack and win a penalty for not rolling away. Three points for Russell? No, corner!
02:28 PM GMT
HALF-TIME: Scotland 7-3 Australia
Australia might want to get this off the park but the scrum is reset. Second time goes better and they do just that. Fun game that despite the low score, could go either way. Suaalii not coming back is a shame.
Second half on the way.
02:25 PM GMT
39 mins – Scotland 7-3 Australia
Scrum penalty Australia! Alaalatoa and Skelton on that right side powering through Schoeman. But from the lineout Gilchrist makes a steal and Scottland counter from deep, Kinghorn making metres towards the 22 before Scotland are held up in the tackle again; Wallaby scrum. Sums up the half really, very well matched, cancelling each other out through errors.
02:22 PM GMT
38 mins – Scotland 7-3 Australia
More Scottish pressure, Graham busy off his wing again, but knocked on by Fagerson as he went to pass before a big tackle. Australia have scrapped well here to keep Scotland scoreless since that Tuipulotu try. That’s five handling errors now for the Scots.
02:21 PM GMT
36 mins – Scotland 7-3 Australia
Seems like Suaalii won’t return, which means Potter moving to centre and Jorgensen on the wing.
Gordon clears to touch with a box kick but doesn’t get great ground.
02:18 PM GMT
34 mins – Scotland 7-3 Australia
Ashman hits Gilchrist and it’s played quickly off the top… but forwards! Brutal, that. Scrum for the Wallabies backed up near their own line.
02:17 PM GMT
33 mins – Scotland 7-3 Australia
Scotland warming up now, taking a bad lineout from Australia which fell Ashman’s way and building another long attack as Jones gets into the 22.
Graham with a good bump and run, Scotland five metres short. Australia not rolling away so a penalty coming, switch of play from Russell nearly works but no advantage. Points or corner for Scotland? They go corner…
02:15 PM GMT
29 mins – Scotland 7-3 Australia
Now good defence from Australia, holding up Tuipulotu in the tackle through Tizzano and Ikitau to win a scrum on the edge of Australia’s 22.
They clear and Scotland try to build from near halfway, Jones stepping back in and making ground. Van der Merwe slips a tackle, Cummings hitting a half gap.
Graham on an arcing run, switching to Tuipuloty who gets hammered in the tackle by Suaalii! That looked painful, maybe a shoulder stinger? Was there a wrap? Looks like it on the replay.
Scotland still going, nearly 20 phases but Australia turn it over on the five-metre line! Tuipulotu and Suaalii having a bit of a chat afterwards and a laugh. Suaalii actually coming off, maybe his mouthguard pinged leading to a head injury assessment. From the penalty Australia clear to touch.
Real spice here. Tuipulotu comes out the better of a massive collision with Sua’ali’i and the Wallaby takes umbrage with the way the Scottish captain, Australian-born, goaded him after the collision. But Australia’s superstar departs with an injury, taunted by Van der Merwe as he departs. A shame we won’t see more of that.
02:09 PM GMT
27 mins – Scotland 7-3 Australia
Magical kick by Potter (sorry) with the debutant pinning Scotland right back ino the corner. They win the lineout and White gets good ground, finding touch near the 10-metre line.
From the lineout Australia are turned over by Ritchie! Not the first time Scotland have caused breakdown havoc and they clear out of their half.
02:07 PM GMT
24 mins – Scotland 7-3 Australia
Back come Australia, Suaalii winning the restart before they win a penalty and stick it into the corner.
Wallabies go to the maul but that’s disrupted well by Gilchrist, turning it over and Scotland clear from five metres out.
02:06 PM GMT
TRY TUIPULOTU! Scotland 7-3 Australia
The captain’s over! Long lineout and Tuipulotu barrels through to score. No one happier than his granny Jacqueline in the stands after flying over from Australia.
We have a try, but that was pathetic defending from Kellaway and Ikitau. They might as well not have bothered. “Your man.”
02:04 PM GMT
21 mins – Scotland 0-3 Australia
From 33 metres out Russell… hits the post! Wilson cleverly calls a mark as it comes off the post and Australia clear upfield.
Off the lineout Scotland attack before the Wallabies go off their feet. Few penalties building up against Australia in the last few minutes. Scotland’s lineout 10 metres out…
02:01 PM GMT
20 mins – Scotland 0-3 Australia
Ikitau getting some treatment but good to continue. Scotland end up with a penalty because the Wallabies are in front of the kicker. Shot for Russell.
Quite a few little digs off the ball with each stoppage, White and Wright not getting on, which is quite fun. Otherwise, lacking a bit of quality so far.
01:59 PM GMT
18 mins – Scotland 0-3 Australia
Couple of kicks exchanges before one from Russell bounces into the in-goal, with Australia passing it behind the posts until Kellaway clears to touch. Good position for Scotland here, and they try to find Kinghorn out wide but it’s a forward pass.
Possession so far, 74 per cent for Australia.
01:56 PM GMT
16 mins – Scotland 0-3 Australia
Another Scotland penalty against Tizzano for hands on the floor. Scotland go to the corner…
Here comes the maul, stopped well by Australia. Then wide to Russell who tries a kick, he was under pressure from Suaalii and it goes slightly too far for Graham to catch up with it. Dropout for the Wallabies.
01:54 PM GMT
14 mins – Scotland 0-3 Australia
Skelton with a big run into White before Gordon clears to touch with a box kick. But from the lineout it’s a Scotland penalty for Skelton playing a man in the air. Scotland into the corner…
01:53 PM GMT
PENALTY LOLESIO! Scotland 0-3 Australia
Clean strike and Australia get the reward for their early territory.
01:51 PM GMT
11 mins – Scotland 0-0 Australia
Sloppy from Scotland, going long at the lineout to Fagerson but the throw isn’t straight.
Promising position for Australia here. Bell with a big run, penalty coming. Suaalii with a good carry and another penalty coming. No progress so we’re back for a penalty after Scotland went offside. Lolesio lining up a shot.
01:48 PM GMT
8 mins – Scotland 0-0 Australia
Another penalty for Australia after Scotland illegally take out that maul. Now the Wallabies go right into the corner…
Promising position but Graham slips in there for the turnover! Great work, Australia can clear.
Darcy Graham: best jackaller per kg in the world?
— Charlie Morgan (@CharlieFelix) November 24, 2024
01:46 PM GMT
5 mins – Scotland 0-0 Australia
Scotland come into the side at a ruck, Darge, so Australia have a penalty inside Scottish territory. Lolesio sends it to touch just outside Scotland’s 22.
01:45 PM GMT
Our man on the ground
Storm? What storm? Sitting here in the press gantry at the home of Scottish rugby and you would have no idea that over the past 24 hours Edinburgh had been battered by what the city’s denizens would term a “blirtie”. The snow fell thick and fast yesterday – no doubt the Australians felt right at home – but today the inclement weather has cleared and the Scottish capital is a picture. Some gusts remain but otherwise there is barely a cloud in this northern sky – which should suit both of these teams, who love to rip it up and play rugby which is both fast and furious. Before the autumn began, this was shaping up as a cracker; with the way the Tests have progressed, this week, it became the game of the weekend. Nothing seen so far around Murrayfield would suggest it will not live up to its billing.
01:44 PM GMT
2 mins – Scotland 0-0 Australia
After a few phases Ikitau threads a grubber through which Scotland clear up and clear to touch. From the lineout Australia get a little loose and come through for an early turnover.
01:42 PM GMT
Kickoff!
We’re off and it’s a nightmare from Lolesio but Scotland knock on, meaning a scrum for the visitors.
01:38 PM GMT
Teams are out, blazing sunshine
Flower of Scotland a joy as ever. Time for kickoff.
01:30 PM GMT
Looks fresh
01:27 PM GMT
Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend on TNT
Preparation has been slightly different [given the weather]. We trained indoors on our first training day, were able to come here on Thursday and on Saturday we were back here in the snow. It is fortunately much better weather today with a dry pitch and the sun shining.
Apart from injuries it is [Scotland at full strength]. We know this is a very tough game and we have to select our best team, and we have a lot of experience now, probably the most caps we have had in a starting XV. That should count in the big moments today.
Australia are a massive threat, quality individuals, very well-coached. They have a gameplan they all know having played it all year, often a team that controls possession. They’ll be confident after those two wins, particularly the one a Twickenham. To win on the last play gives you such a big boost. We know the challenges ahead today.
01:22 PM GMT
Australia head coach Joe Schmidt on TNT
I just felt we built pretty well through the Rugby Championship. We got close to the All Blacks, managed to get a win over Argentina before falling off the cliff with the second half of the second game. I felt we were heading in the right direction, maybe accelerated that a little bit through the Twickenham game and Wales last week was probably a good confidence builder. Also, there is a reality coming here in that Scotland are outperforming both those two teams, so it’s going to be tough today.
Getting to this end of the season and still looking at growth for next season, we’re trying to keep things balanced. At the same time, we’ve had a few knocks and little bit of illness. Those things don’t help, but hopefully don’t hinder us too much as well. Hopefully [those coming in] will take confidence from getting a start today.
Finn has been a regular there, Blair Kinghorn, Darcy Graham and Duhan van der Merwe, Scotland are even stronger than they have been in the past. Sione Tuipulotu is an outstanding, punchy character but very skilful. There is a lot we are going to have on our plate and we’re going to have to be absolutely nailed on.
01:08 PM GMT
Confirmed teams
Scotland: 15 Blair Kinghorn; 14 Darcy Graham, 13 Huw Jones, 12 Sione Tuipulotu (c), 11 Duhan van der Merwe; 10 Finn Russell, 9 Ben White; 1 Pierre Schoeman, 2 Ewan Ashman, 3 Zander Fagerson; 4 Grant Gilchrist, 5 Scott Cummings; 6 Jamie Ritchie, 7 Rory Darge, 8 Matt Fagerson
Replacements: 16 Dylan Richardson, 17 Rory Sutherland, 18 Will Hurd, 19 Alex Craig, 20 Josh Bayliss; 21 George Horne, 22 Tom Jordan, 23 Kyle Rowe
Australia: 15 Tom Wright; 14 Andrew Kellaway, 13 Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, 12 Len Ikitau, 11 Harry Potter; 10 Noah Lolesio, 9 Jake Gordon; 1 Angus Bell, 2 Brandon Paenga-Amosa, 3 Allan Alaalatoa; 4 Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, 5 Will Skelton; 6 Rob Valetini, 7 Carlo Tizzano, 8 Harry Wilson (c)
Replacements: 16 Billy Pollard, 17 Isaac Kailea, 18 Zane Nonggorr, 19 Nick Frost, 20 Langi Gleeson; 21 Tate McDermott, 22 Ben Donaldson, 23 Max Jorgensen
01:04 PM GMT
Some late team news
Jeremy Williams has pulled out for the Wallabies, so Lukhan Salakaia-Loto comes in to form an enormous second row partnership with Will Skelton.
12:49 PM GMT
Not sure you will see a better video this week
I won’t ruin it, just enjoy…
Skyscanner and Scottish Rugby presents: The Ultimate Reunion
Sione and Mosese qualify for Scotland through their grandmother in Australia, but she’s never seen them play in a Scotland jersey before. That is, until our friends at @Skyscanner came up with an idea to bring the… pic.twitter.com/rrpZFg6M9o
— Scottish Rugby (@Scotlandteam) November 20, 2024
12:40 PM GMT
Welcome
Afternoon everyone, hope those of you in Scotland have not been hit too hard by the recent weather. Australia were unable to train yesterday given the elements and I’m told that our reporter on the ground today at Murrayfield, one Charles Richardson, had a lively flight up to Edinburgh this morning.
France-Argentina on Friday night was a strong contender but this feels like the game of the weekend, doesn’t it? Scotland’s stop-start autumn going from facing Fiji to South Africa to Portugal now culminates against an Australia side who have made big strides since the Rugby Championship.
Two things on the Wallabies; they’re exciting to watch again, giving the ball plenty of width and not afraid to push their offloading game. Just look at the final try to win to defeat England and how many clever passes preceded Max Jorgensen being put away on the wing.
The second thing is that this Wallabies side have a lot of intriguing talents who after a tough couple of years going from Dave Rennie to Eddie Jones and now Schmidt are beginning to find their feet. Angus Bell, Fraser McReight, Tate McDermott, Ikitau, Andrew Kellaway and Tom Wright are all players you need to know more about before the British and Irish Lions tour next summer. Ikitau has been their best player on tour, Rob Valetini is genuinely close to world-class and you know all about Will Skelton, while the arrival of Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii from rugby league has given them a bit of stardust.
As for Scotland, the 15-32 scoreline against South Africa just was not a fair reflection of how the game went, as assessment shared with South African colleagues at Murrayfield with everyone believing Scotland blew a real chance. Thrashings of Fiji and Portugal were good steps but this is the big finish, on an emotional day for Sione Tuipulotu, captaining Scotland against the country of his birth. Scotland also have their strongest side out. Time to make a statement.
Kickoff coming your way at 1.40pm!
