Gregor Townsend’s men have beaten the Wallabies by 24-19 in Sydney with a stunning display of tenacity and skill.
In a total 23 man effort Scotland ran and tackled themselves to a near standstill but, despite constant waves of Australian attack, they proved too much for Michael Cheika’s men.
There are very few finger nails left in Scotland this morning, but there plenty of broad smiles as the boys in blue achieved an outstanding victory in Sydney.
The last two matches against Australia weighed heavy on the memory, narrow single point defeats at Murrayfield and, of course, the infamous 2015 World Cup Quarter Final. You could be forgiven for turning away from the screen in the last five minutes of persistent Australian pressure and huge Scottish defence, but redemption was today.
The story of the game was very similar – huge tackles and defending as a unit, as the Wallabies looked increasingly uncomfortable.
The opening quarter of an hour Scotland looked lively and played front foot rugby, with Finn Russell showing from the outset why he deserves a Lions call up. However, the dominant possession wasn’t reflected in the score board, with only an early penalty giving Scotland the lead.
That was until Duncan Taylor made a cheeky interception from a scrappy Aussie ruck and whizzed straight over the line. Russell added the extras to take it to 0–10.
As often happens against a world class team like Australia, the response was swift and you wondered if Scotland had awoken the beast. Isreal Folau was that beast, as he came from deep to be on the receiving end of a polished passing move and score.
Scotland replied in no time with Finn Russell charging down a clearance kick and scoring. Scotland were taking the opportunities presented to them. You cant say that too often.
The half ended with another period of pressure from Australia, but Barclay and the back row were putting in some great tackles to hold the Aussies. That was until just before the break when Folau found himself on the receiving end of a cross field kick, before towered over fullback Tonks to dot down.
Half Time Score: Australia 12 – 17 Scotland
The second half started nervously for the Scots with waves of pressure in their 22. Thankfully, a mixture of sloppy finishing for Australia and good defence from Scotland kept them out. More often than not, the Wallabies were giving away penalties in sight of the Scottish try line, spilling the ball forward, giving them the opportunity to boot the ball back up field and reset.
It was 57 minutes before Australia finally found their way through to take the lead for the first time in the game. 19 -17
Australia had Finn Russell’s number in the second half, trying to put pressure on the fly half who had caused such havoc in the first 40. However it was from his turn in our own half that Scotland put together a great team try. Tonks and Taylor were right there in support to receive the ball, Taylor drawing his man to create the space for Hamish Watson to score a lead restoring try.
Thea ball went through five sets of hands from the 22 for the score and this time it wasn’t an opportune interception or charge down, this was a solid attacking move. If this is Townsends influence, we should be delighted, it was as good a try as Scotland have scored in recent years…and against Australia to boot!
With ten minutes to go, the mind wandered to the pain at Twickenham two years. Australia were putting on the pressure and spreading the ball wide, but Scotland were making last man tackles with the pack absorbing short balls through the middle.
Barclay was having a great game in defence. Ball in hand Scotland were not making yards, but they were keeping their composure in their own half.
That defence was certainly needed with wave after wave of Australian attacks. But the hits were so frequent and the competition for the ball so fierce, that the Wallabies simple couldn’t break through.
It was a nervy finish though, and with 4 minutes left on the clock Australia knocked on from the line out in our corner, leading to a scrum on our 5m line. Rather than panic, replacement no.8 Josh Strauss picked from the base of the scrum to make it safe and take the contact. In games gone by Scotland would have buckled, but this kind of mature decision making showed how far this team have come.
All the way to the whistle Australia could see the try line but there was no last gasp winner today in Sydney, just a famous victory and sweet revenge for Scotland.
Final Score: Scotland 24-19 Australia
We were robbed at the World Cup
Fuckeb oath yous were, coming from a ABs fan lol
Still hits me in the feels bro
Well worth gettin up at daft o’clock for….. #asone
Well done Scotland, a great performance in both attack and defence for all 80 minutes!
Good result guys!
Great win played great rugby and Townsend carried on where cotter left off.
out off all the coaches, going to miss Cotter the most….
Shaun Alba Gu Brath
Kirsteen Boxall Arthur Gavin Boxall whoo hoo! x
Yes !!!!!
What a result. Get in.
What a day to be a Scozzie
Well played Scotland! Revenge is sweet!
Alba Gu Brath.
Well done Scotland worth getting up early for.
Well done Scotland
Gatland are you watching
Fantastic result and to achieve it with key players missing makes it even better.
#asone
Great performance
Great result, you deserve that .. X
does anyone know a site to watch a replay of the game ??
Wow just wow!
Rebecca Goodison
Great result, hard fought.
And they don’t warrant a call up to the Lions?!? I think they should snub Gatland even if he does call!
What a performance & result
Great result. Remember the world cup fiasco 2015, robbed by the ref.
And the Scots don’t travel well (according to Gatland). What would the score have been if they did?
Rory Lindsay
https://scotlandrugbynews.com//2017/06/watch-highlights-scotlands-win-australia/
Calum MacNeil MacLeod
Brilliant
Hamish Oatley
Awesome result, proud of the team
Alex Kenney
Get in Scotland, well deserved win & very sweet win over the wallabies
Well Done. My 2nd team beat my first team.
It’s a great result but doesn’t avenge the World Cup game!
my son told me the news and I say that result has made my day!!!!
All these saying “gatland are you watching” leave it out Scotland are building a good team but they have also had the worst team in recent years carry on then next lions tour you might have a few more called up.
But not this year, when we finished above you.
It the 6 nations yeah you did, but you can’t pick players on having a good couple of games. I think that’s the point Wales have had one of the best teams in the world in recent years obviously got to bring young ones up now, England won it and have an amazing team atm as much as it pains me to say. Tbh you’d have had a lot more called up if the ref in the World Cup wasn’t against you.
but you can pick them on the basis of their reputation from a couple of years ago…? It’s called “form”. And gatland’s selections so far have been vindicated, right…?
Gregor Townsend….
Fab result
Hamish
Well played Scotland, a well deserved win., from an Australian who loves Scotland.
Boom!
Benjamin Rezos
Kevin Anderson gutted never seen it but wat a result
Asbjørn Fog
Well done Scotland! What a brilliant game won by the best team!
Well done boys
Congratulations to the guy’s, great result.
Simon Mcleod well done to your boys
Yassss
Sorry Ryan how did you get on in the world cup . Do believe Scotland got to quarter finals and bar a shocking decision by a south Africa ref we had a better chance than Wales off getting to the final ,not bad for a terrible team as you put it . Wales have had quite a poor couple of years. But I believe that’s more down to the coaching staff rather than the players, as you can see in the lions tour ,no cohesion between any of the players . One of bits and bobs. Scotland playing good stuff for a couple of years now Wales not looking great.
Great result for the boys. So we are now up to 4th in the world rankings but according to Lions coaches Scots players are not as good individually as other home nations players. Surely that must mean that the failings of teams like Wales who are below us must be down to the coaches. Who are they? Oh yes Gatland and Howley. Really says it all. Even my Welsh buddies can’t believe the Welsh players he has called up to the Lions!!