Scotland Ended Aussies Triple-Crown Dreams

 

Scotland ended the year on a high beating Australia 27-13 in a disciplined display of quality rugby. A real statement from Scotland who bossed most of the game and eventually wore the Wallabies down, with three second-half tries.

Australia scored the first points of the match when Noah Lolesio converted a penalty after thirteen minutes of play in the first half. Australia "dominated" the early exchanges at that stage.

Ten minutes later, Scotland's captain, Sione Tuipulotu, bulldozed his way past the pathetic defence of Andrew Kellaway and Len Ikitau to put Scotland in the lead for the first time in the match. Finn Russell converted.

Scotland should be disappointed in their 07-03 at the halftime break, especially considering the eleven penalties conceded by Australia in the first half.

After two minutes of play in the second half, Scotland's Finn Russell converted a penalty, to which Aussie Noah Lolesio replied almost immediately to restore Scotland's four-point lead at the halftime break.

Scotland eventually were rewarded for their attacking mindset when Van der Merwe stepped infield and scored Scotland's second try to extend their lead to 17-06 following the Finn Russell's conversion.

A great break from Darcy Graham ended with a brilliant finish by Josh Bayliss, who had a lot of work to do to score in the corner. Five minutes later, Duhan Van der Merwe's brake started the movement, which led to a splendid try by Finn Russell.

With five minutes to play, Harry Potter scored on debut for Australia, winning the race after Tate McDermott kicked into the Scottish in-goal area. Scotland deservedly beat Australia 27-13.

Scorers:
Scotland: Tries: Sione Tuipulotu, Duhan van der Merwe, Josh Bayliss, Finn Russell. Conversions: Finn Russell (2). Penalty: Finn Russell.
Australia: Try: Harry Potter. Conversion: Noah Lolesio. Penalty: Noah Lolesio (3).

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, 8 Matt Fagerson, 7 Rory Darge, 6 Jamie Ritchie, 5 Scott Cummings, 4 Grant Gilchrist, 3 Zander Fagerson, 2 Ewan Ashman, 1 Pierre Schoeman. 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-Akuso Suaalii, 12 Len Ikitau, 11 Harry Potter, 10 Noah Lolesio, 9 Jake Gordon, 8 Harry Wilson (c), 7 Carlo Tizzano, 6 Rob Valetini, 5 Will Skelton, 4 Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, 3 Allan Alaalatoa, 2 Brandon Paenga-Amosa, 1 Angus Bell. 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.