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'I feel heartbroken': Second World Cup defeat pains Scotland
By PA
Scotland head coach Bryan Easson said he felt heartbroken after their defeat to Australia left them on the brink of a Rugby World Cup exit. Easson’s side led 12-0 at the break in Whangarei thanks to a score from hooker Lana Skeldon and a penalty try.
But Australia - who finished with 13 players after Ashley Marsters and Adiana Talakai were sent off in the closing stages - scored 14 second-half unanswered points to seal a dramatic victory.
“It was always going to be tough,” Scotland boss Easson told ITV. “We knew the wind was really strong first half and we probably could have done with another few points. We knew Australia were going to pressure us. We had to keep the ball and build phases, but it just wasn’t to be that second half.”
Scotland suffered an 18-15 defeat to Wales in their tournament opener when Keira Bevan kicked an 84th-minute penalty to clinch victory. They now have to beat New Zealand next Saturday to keep alive hopes of staying in the competition.
Easson said: “These guys are so close, it was the same against Wales. They are playing some good rugby. You see the passion that’s in them, the fight that they give. I feel heartbroken for everybody because of the work that they’ve put in.”
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Latest Comments
I think Italy were always targetting this match and intended to win. They needed to exorcise the 2023 RWC. I think they could have done with a bit more help from other 6Ns particularly from Ireland to knock more holes in NZ and their confidence.
Mentioned before the Italy Argentina match was a virus that ripped through the Italy camp early that week. In general play Italy were competitive albeit with a high error count and crucial missed tackles.
Ive said it before the era of NZ turning up unprepared for all comers and triumphing is definitively over. If a Tier1 team target NZ and NZ do not prepare accordingly they are in with a major chance of losing. It used to occur the odd time in RWCs against France, now it can occur v any Tier1. The competition has improved. NZ can still be at the top but their talents must be deployed sufficiently into dismantling teams as with their attack then allowed to exploit.
They dismantled Ireland pretty well in Dublin which went largely unnoticed. That allowed them scoreboard advantage and attacking opportunities of which one was enough.
That Italian team beat Wales and significantly Scotland last year. They used the loss to NZ in the most positive way possible. No doubt NZ prepared but I would assume it was similar to versus Argentina: 3/4 arsed at best. These test matches are rare and this was another chance to practice dismantling a determined and prepared opponent which was lost. If Italy had scored a 7 pointer at 17-6....an Italian win was on.
Go to commentsGB = England, Scotland, Wales. UK = England, Wales, Scotland, NI
Nothing to stew son.
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