women
international women
Scotland captain Rachel Malcolm admitted she was “frustrated” with her team’s performance following their 56-12 defeat by Australia in Sydney.
Desiree Miller and Amelia Whitaker each scored a goal for the hosts, while Maya Stewart, Waiaria Ellis, Brittany Merlo and Eva Karpani scored.
Scotland have now won just once in 2026 – their only win was in April.
It was Scotland’s second successive defeat against the Wallaroos, following a 30-10 defeat at the Hive in Edinburgh last month.
The defeat also made an already miserable situation worse WXV Global Series in which Evie Gallagher’s return to world-class form is the only thing worth writing about.
Under interim head coach Dave Butcher, the mood in the Scotland camp seems to have improved. The results, however, are yet to follow.
“I’m just frustrated,” Malcolm admitted in her full-time interview. “I think we’re probably better than what the last two results have shown.
“Australia were outstanding, the way they physically raised their game and brought it to us.
“That’s the part we’re probably not getting right. We’ve got to be a little more ruthless in how we take our chances.”
“Definitely frustrated. But it’s a young team and we’re fighting. I think you see that when the subs come in and make an impact.”
It’s easy to forget when watching the full-time scoreline that Scotland actually opened the scoring with a blistering start at the Accor Stadium.
Frankly, much of what followed Katie Buchanan’s try in the opening exchange would be forgotten very quickly.
In the end, the Wallaroos scored eight tries to Scotland’s two. The visitors lost the ball an incredible 17 times, and received as many as 10 penalties.
It’s hard to maintain momentum when you’re giving the ball back to your opponents about every five minutes.
Malcolm and her teammates will have just six days to prepare for their third Test against Australia when the two teams meet at GIO Stadium in Canberra to conclude their WXV Global Series 2026 campaigns. And there is work for visitors.
“When we had the momentum early in the game, we probably could have converted more of our points,” she said.
“Then, when we don’t have momentum, we don’t score as many points.
“It’s really a maturity thing, learning to deal with the ebb and flow of the game and not giving up so many points when we don’t have that momentum.”
