mens
nations-championship
Wallabies captain Harry Wilson acknowledged the “step forward” the Aussies have made despite losing to Scotland 15-12 at Murrayfield, insisting the group will be up for the challenge against a confident Welsh side next week.
The Wallabies have now lost four matches on the bounce, but their most recent defeat was the clash with the Scots. Former Wallabies fullback Jack Dempsey put the hosts ahead during the first half, and it was a lead they were not going to relinquish.
Finn Russell hit a penalty kick in the second period to make it a 10-point game with just over five minutes left. But Max Jorgensen gave the Wallabies a chance, making it a one-score game with a crucial try in the dying stages.
But Scotland held on, controlling more than 70 per cent of the Test and playing with most of the possession in the final 10 minutes. The Wallabies also conceded three of the last five penalties as they failed to mount a comeback.
While the Wallabies are looking to end a losing streak dating back to the Bledisloe Cup series All black peoplethey will have to overcome a Welsh side that just beat the New Zealanders. Wales claimed their first victory over the All Blacks in over 70 years, winning 35-28 on Saturday.
“We’ve got to take a good look at this,” Wilson said after the game.
“It was a step forward, but it wasn’t a victory. We want to win.”
“We saw what Wales did New Zealand on weekends. They will be a tough opponent with a lot of confidence, but this group, we will be up for the challenge.”
The Wallabies started November Nations Championship phase with a 45-22 defeat of England, with Henry Pollock making a powerful strike after the break. Pollock came on as a winger and scored two tries as the hosts ran away with a convincing result at home.
But the Wallabies were looming as a chance to potentially bounce back. Harry Potter was the first to score for the Aussies against Scotland, but the visitors didn’t score another point until Jorgensen nearly 70 minutes later.
2026 John Eales Medalist (Wallabies player) Fraser McReight led the way with 29 tackles, while ‘Jorgo’ topped the charts with three line breaks. Although it wasn’t to be for the Wallabies, Wilson was pleased with how the team had strengthened.
“I’m really proud of the group coming back. We weren’t happy with that last week and we wanted to come out and show some physical intent and try to impose ourselves physically, but I think we did that,” Wilson said.
“We’re not happy with the result, but Scotland in Scotland, it’s a tough game. Their boys were in front as well. We weren’t far there at the end, which is just disappointing.”
“The guys showed up. It was a hand-to-hand fight… but we have to be better at freezing those big moments, but I’m really proud of the group’s fight to the end. Even with a minute on the clock we didn’t give up and we almost got there.”