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Scotland win thriller against Australia
By Dejan Kalinic
Scotland held on for a thrilling 24-19 Test win over Australia in Sydney on Saturday.
Israel Folau scored two first-half tries for the Wallabies at Allianz Stadium, but they were unable to fully capitalise on their opportunities.
A 61st-minute try from Hamish Watson proved decisive for Scotland, who ended a three-match losing streak against Australia and claimed a first ever win in Sydney.
Will Genia had crossed just five minutes earlier to give the Wallabies their first lead.
Eto Nabuli started on his Wallabies debut, with Australia searching for a fourth straight win over Scotland, although the previous three encounters had been decided by a total of eight points.
The visitors were without Greig Laidlaw, Tommy Seymour and Stuart Hogg – all on British and Irish Lions duty, although the latter has suffered a tour-ending facial injury.
Scotland went ahead through a Greig Tonks penalty from distance, while Bernard Foley missed an easy chance to respond with the boot for the Wallabies.
The visitors were on top in the opening exchanges and they deservedly went over first through Duncan Taylor, who intercepted a pass and crossed untouched in the 14th minute.
Just five minutes later and the Wallabies responded when Folau scored.
Australia shifted the ball left and Foley put Waratahs team-mate Folau into a huge gap out wide.
Foley was then shown a yellow card for a shoulder charge before Scotland went 17-7 up, Finn Russell charging down a kick from Genia to cross for an easy 26th-minute try.
Ryan Wilson was sent to the sin bin for Scotland just before half-time and Folau managed to produce some magic prior to the interval.
The former rugby league star leapt high and over Tonks, taking a Foley kick in the right corner to score his second try.
Both teams made a scrappy start to the second half before Genia scored, sneaking over from the base of a ruck in the 56th minute, with the Wallabies taking the lead via Foley's conversion.
But Scotland responded soon after, a fine team try finishing with Watson going over in the corner.
The Wallabies pushed hard in the final 20 minutes but were unable to get past a gutsy Scotland defence as the visitors held on.
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Latest Comments
John, McKenzie was 10 years ago and he only lasted 15 months until the disgustingly unfair affair that brought him down. I thought that if he didn't get another gig over Eddie V2 then he was done. I read that he had been approached but declined to put his name in the ring.
There are no potential Wallaby coaches outside of McKellar unless you have some inside info?
Go to commentsThe way they are defending is sometime pathetic to be honest. Itoje is usually on the inside of the rush and he is paired with a slower tight forward. Unable to keep up with the rush we have seen the line become disconnected on the inside where the big boys are. How many times have we seen Earl rush past the first receiver almost into no mans land covering no attacker. It looks like a system without any guidance. Tome Wright, Ikitau and a number of Wallabies went back to this soft centre as did Williams, Jordan and several others. Also when the line is broken the multiple lines of defence seems to be missing. The rush is predicated on a cover and recovery system with multiple lines of defence but with England you dont see it any more. Fitness and conditioning seems to be off as well as players are struggling to keep up with the intensity of the rush. Felix Jones has left a huge hole. The whole situation was and is a mess. Why they insist on not letting him go and having him work remotely is beyond me. Its leading to massive negative press and is a hot button issue thats distracting from the squad. Also the communication around Jones and his role has been absolute rubbish and is totally disjointed. While some say he is working remotely and playing a role others are saying theres been no contact. His role has not been defined and so people keep asking and keep getting different answers. England need a clean break from him and need to start over. Whatever reason for his leaving its time to cut the rope before the saga drags the whole Borthwick regime down. As for Joe El Abd well good luck to him. He is being made to look like an amateur by the whole saga and he is being asked to coach a system thats not his and which has been perfected and honed since 2017 by Nienaber, Jones, Erasmus and Co and which was first started by White in 2004. He is literally trying to figure out a system pioneered by double world cup winning coaches at the highest level and coach it at the same time. Talk about being on a hiding to nothing.
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