'I feel heartbroken': Second World Cup defeat pains Scotland
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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Not a fan of Penney to be fair as I don’t see him able to perform at SR level. However he has stepped into a bit of a mess with so many long service players leaving. No matter how good a coach us he can’t wave a magic wind and turn young pups into Crusaders in 5 mins. Wheaven to accept this is a complete rebuild of players and culture. Have some patience just as the other teams have had in years gone by
Go to commentsWhat is Ben’s point exactly? Cause if it’s that the ABs should’ve won that game, then yes I think every AB fan would agree with that. But the DIDN'T. You need luck to go your way and it went the Springboks way, just as it went the ABs way in 2011. Given that this article is written 6 months after the final shows that Ben is still incredibly butthurt. Time to move on Mr Smith. Maybe join something that suits your bias… i’m thinking the Australian commentary panel?
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