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Scotland player ratings vs Australia | 2024 Autumn Nations Series
By Bryn Palmer at Murrayfield Stadium, Edinburgh
Scotland player ratings: Scotland finished off their Autumn Nations Series in style with an ultimately convincing 27-13 victory over Australia at Murrayfield, ending the Wallabies’ Grand Slam hopes in the process.
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Sione Tuipulotu’s smartly-taken try – against the country of his birth – was the highlight of an error-ridden first half, with both sides struggling to find attacking fluency.
But Gregor Townsend’s side took command after the break, tries from Duhan van der Merwe, replacement Josh Bayliss and Finn Russell settling the outcome before a late consolation score for Australia’s debutant wing Harry Potter.
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This victory, their fourth in five meetings against the Wallabies under Townsend, will send the Scots into the Six Nations – which they begin with home games against Italy and Ireland – with a spring in their step.
Here is how the Scotland players fared:
15. Blair Kinghorn – 8.5
Restored to his favoured role after starting on the wing against South Africa, the Toulouse full-back over-did his first clearing kick but looked dangerous in attack, using his footwork to good effect to make yards. A knock-on from Graham’s pass stymied one attack, but a brilliant counter and offload to White showed his class, as did his try-scoring passes for Van der Merwe and Russell. Named player of the match.
14. Darcy Graham – 8
His speed into the breakdown won a turnover penalty with the game still scoreless and Australia pressing hard, and repeatedly came off his wing to get involved in attacks on the opposite side of the field. One slightly wobbly pass to Kinghorn cost a possible try, but his dancing feet on the counter created the game-breaking score for Bayliss. Back where he belongs.
13. Huw Jones – 7
The Glasgow centre’s combination with Tuipulotu didn’t quite click into gear in the first half, a Jones knock-on killing one promising attack. But always a threat to the Australian midfield and was involved in the moves which led to three second-half tries.
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12. Sione Tuipulotu – 8
Big day for the new Scotland captain, with his 77-year-old Greenock granny – the reason he is eligible for Scotland – watching him play for the first time since he left home in Melbourne. Conceded an early offside penalty but a brilliant moment when he collected Ashman’s lineout over the top and powered through Ikitau and Kellaway to score his third Test try. Also carried hard and showed his soft hands time and again to put others away.
11. Duhan van der Merwe – 7
After almost capitalising on a wayward Australia kick-off right at the start, took him nearly half an hour to have any further serious involvement in the game. But far more influential in the second period, one strong carry creating the platform for his own game-breaking score, a barnstorming finish for his 30th Test try returning him to the top of Scotland’s all-time list. His stepping break also created the fourth try for Russell.
10. Finn Russell – 7.5
Frustrating first quarter with a couple of loop moves in midfield not quite clicking and slightly too much on a kick to the in-goal area for the chasing Graham. But started to get more zip on his passes for willing runners to move onto and authority grew as match went on, finishing off a brilliant move for his ninth Test try. Having landed 27 of his last 28 kicks at goal for Scotland, only landed three from six here, but still the leading man.
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9. Ben White – 8
Sent hurtling backwards by the man mountain that is Will Skelton, but wasn’t fazed and took the fight to Australia. Kicked well from hand and his service was generally tidy. One brilliant support line onto Kinghorn’s offload before being impeded by Wright, when he looked to have a clear run onto his chip ahead. Also alert to retrieve Lolesio’s probing chip in defence. Re-established himself as the main man at nine.
1. Pierre Schoeman – 7
The Edinburgh loosehead was far more prominent with ball in hand this week, carrying hard into contact to raise the ‘Schooo’ levels from the Murrayfield crowd. Pinged at one scrum for wheeling to let Australia off the hook in their own half, but otherwise helped the Scottish front row get on top in that area.
2. Ewan Ashman – 6.5
One early lineout not straight and a second one at the start of the second half, after Scotland had kicked another penalty to the corner, was also a frustrating error. Otherwise found his men accurately and a brilliant long throw over the top created Tuipulotu’s try. Part of a strong scrummaging unit too. Established himself as first-choice hooker this autumn.
3. Zander Fagerson – 8
Another rumbustious outing for Scotland’s most-capped prop, winning his 70th cap. Several hard carries – though may have taken a wrong option close to the line in the first half when Scotland had numbers out wide. Got the nudge on Bell at scrum-time on a couple of occasions, also pinged for not driving straight on another, but helped earn two more scrum penalties. One brilliant pick-up and carry. Remains absolutely crucial to Scotland’s prospects.
4. Grant Gilchrist – 7.5
A typically industrious outing in the boiler room for the Edinburgh veteran taking his fair share of lineout ball and a key cog alongside Cummings in neutering the Wallabies maul, which had been so destructive against Wales. Earned his warm reception as he trooped off with nine minutes left.
5. Scott Cummings – 7
The Glasgow lock appeared pumped for this one after the frustration of his 20-minute red card against South Africa. Several strong carries with good angles of running, a reliable source of lineout ball and a big performance in the tight exchanges against Skelton and co. Conceded one penalty for changing his bind, but another satisfactory outing and well established in the Scotland second row.
6. Jamie Ritchie – 6.5
The former captain has been on the periphery this autumn, with only 20 minutes off the bench against South Africa, but had an effective outing in his first start of the autumn. Made his presence felt at the breakdown, winning a penalty over the ball, and used regularly at the lineout. May not retain his place when everyone else is fit, but still a more than handy operator.
7. Rory Darge – 7
The Glasgow openside was far more prominent in attack than in recent weeks, linking play well. Got through his usual bundle of work in defence too, making 10 tackles, although one penalty conceded for coming in at the side of a ruck. Replaced by Bayliss in the final quarter, but can be pleased with his part in a convincing victory.
8. Matt Fagerson – 7
Reverting to No.8, where he had started in 31 of his previous 49 Tests, the Glasgow back-rower led the side out on the occasions of his 50th cap, and part of a Scottish back row that dominated their Aussie counterparts. Won some useful ball at the front of the lineout and made a stack of tackles as ever but one costly knock-on just before half-time.
Replacements:
16. Dylan Richardson – 6
On for Ashman just after the hour, the Sharks hooker kept the heat on Australia in the set-pieces, although one more lineout went astray after a penalty kicked to the corner.
17. Rory Sutherland – 6
The Borderer rumbled around to good effect for the last 19 minutes after coming on for Schoeman.
18. Will Hurd – N/A
Promoted to the 23 ahead of Elliott Millar-Mills, the Leicester tighthead replaced Zander Fagerson for the final nine minutes. Made progress this month.
19. Alex Craig – N/A
Like Hurd, the Scarlets lock was only given the final nine minutes, too little time to make an impact.
20. Josh Bayliss – 7
Off the bench in the 63rd minute, the Bath back-rower had his fourth Test try on his 10th cap with a thunderous finish in the right corner barely two minutes later. Adding to the competition in the back row.
21. George Horne – 6
Started the autumn playing fourth fiddle behind Ali Price, Ben White and Jamie Dobie, the Glasgow livewire finished it as the favoured back-up to White, who he replaced after 63 minutes. Kept the tempo high.
22. Tom Jordan – Not used
23. Kyle Rowe – Not used
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