mens
nations-championship
Scotland he pulled off a hard-fought 15-12 victory for the hosts Australia but they couldn’t get the bonus point they craved Nations Championship a match that didn’t light.
Matt Fagerson and Jack Dempsey scored in the first half and Harry Potter hit back for the Wallabies.
A late Finn Russell penalty eventually gave the hosts some breathing room before Max Jorgensen’s 80th-minute try offered the visitors a glimmer of hope, but the Scots held on for a victory that lifted them above Wales to fourth place in the Northern Hemisphere table.
However, the failure of Gregor Townsend’s side to pick up the bonus point means they are unlikely to catch the runners-up England or third place Ireland even if they are able to win by a large margin Japan next weekend.
Scotland suffered a pre-match blow after captain Sione Tuipulotu had to withdraw with a knee injury. Tom Jordan he came off the bench to take the number 12 jersey and Stafford McDowall was added to 23 as a substitute. Rory Darge took over as captain.
The Scots – trying to bounce back from their loss to New Zealand – started strongly and made a breakthrough in the ninth minute when Ben White chipped the ball to the right for Fagerson to score after prolonged pressure in front of the Wallabies line. Russell hit the post with his conversion attempt.
But Australia leveled within two minutes, opening up the Scottish defense all too easily as they put the ball through their hands for Potter to slot down the left after avoiding a meek Russell clearance. Ryan Lonergan was off target with his conversion.
Scotland thought they had regained their lead in the 24th minute when Darcy Graham ran in to knock down a loose ball after Kyle Steyn – chasing Russell’s grubber – kicked it behind the line, but it was ruled out as Steyn was deemed to have been in contact as he stuck out his right boot to keep the attack alive.
The hosts suffered a blow when lock Scott Cummings was forced off injured and replaced by Max Williamson.
But Scotland went ahead in the 28th minute when Sydney-born Dempsey, who won 14 caps for the Wallabies before switching allegiance in 2022, headed over from close range. Russell added extras.
Australia looked set to hit back seven minutes later when Billy Pollard crossed the back of a line-kick but it was flagged for obstruction, meaning the hosts led 12-5 at the end of a poor-quality first half.
The Wallabies booked Pollard in the 46th minute for a head-on collision with Blair Kinghorn, but the Scots failed to make the extra man count as the second half went without a further goal for either side until Russell’s 75th-minute penalty.
Jorgensen’s late try down the right, with the extras added by Ben Donaldson, meant the Scots were pushed all the way before they could celebrate a fifth win in six meetings with Australia.