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Sione Tuipulotu's Scotland emphatically end Wallabies grand slam dream

By PA
Sione Tuipulotu congratulates Duhan van der Merwe - PA

Sione Tuipulotu helped halt Australia’s autumn resurgence as the Scotland captain scored the opening try in an impressive 27-13 triumph over the nation of his birth.

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The 27-year-old Glasgow centre, who left his homeland frustrated at a lack of opportunities in 2018, was the only player on either side to cross the whitewash in the first half.

It was an extra special moment for Tuipulotu as his 77-year-old Greenock-born grandmother Jaqueline Thomson – the woman by whom he is eligible for Scotland – was in the stand watching him play for his adopted nation for the first time.

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    There were further tries after the break from Duhan van der Merwe, who moved back to the top of Scotland’s all-time scoring charts on 30, replacement Josh Bayliss and Finn Russell.

    A late score from Wallabies debutant Harry Potter reduced the deficit to 14 points, but Scotland were already cruising towards a third win in four Tests this autumn.

    Attack

    175
    Passes
    149
    103
    Ball Carries
    102
    311m
    Post Contact Metres
    257m
    9
    Line Breaks
    2

    Australia, buoyed by victories over England and Wales this month, started with intent and after being camped in the Scottish half in the early exchanges, they got the scoreboard ticking in the 11th minute when Noah Lolesio sent a close-range penalty between the posts.

    Having escaped with the concession of just three points from the Wallabies’ pressure, Scotland started to build their way into the game and eventually took full control.

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    They worked themselves a good opportunity in the 15th minute, only for Russell’s delicate kick over the top to bounce out dead before Darcy Graham was able to get on the end of it.

    Russell looked set to get his side off the mark in the 20th minute with a penalty from a central position 30 metres out but, normally so reliable from the tee, the stand-off’s kick came back off the right-hand post.

    Scotland Wallabies
    Press Association

    The Scottish breakthrough came two minutes later, however, when the Wallabies were caught cold at a lineout, allowing Ewan Ashman’s long throw to find Tuipulotu, who darted in all too easily to score. Russell converted.

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    Much of the pre-match narrative had surrounded Australia centre Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, who only made his rugby union bow earlier this month after being fast-tracked in from rugby league without having previously played a professional club game.

    However, the much-hyped 21-year-old’s afternoon was ended prematurely when he injured himself making a tackle on Tuipulotu and had to go off after just 31 minutes.

    The first half generally lacked the verve many had hoped for from both sides but, on the balance of play, Scotland would have been entitled to a slight hint of disappointment at only being 7-3 ahead at the interval.

    The stodgy nature of proceedings continued early in the second half, with stand-offs Russell and Lolesio kicking a penalty apiece a minute apart.

    The home support felt aggrieved in the 49th minute when Australia full-back Tom Wright was not deemed to have committed a dangerous tackle as he blocked Scotland scrum-half Ben White, who was attempting to run on to his own kick over the top.

    Scotland Wallabies
    Josh Bayliss scores in the corner – PA

    But the Scots soon started to pull clear. Van der Merwe forced his way over on the left after being fed by Blair Kinghorn in the 51st minute. Russell converted.

    Bayliss then bounded his way over on the right in the 67th minute for his second try in successive matches, with Russell hooking his conversion wide.

    The Bath stand-off made amends for his errant kicking four minutes later, however, when he finished off an incisive attack for his first Scotland try since the defeat away to France in February 2023. Russell was again off target with his conversion.

    It mattered little as the Wallabies were already well beaten by the time wing Potter slammed down on the left, with Ben Donaldson adding the extras.

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    Comments

    9 Comments
    O
    OJohn 66 days ago

    Schmidt myth, busted.

    R
    RedWarrior 67 days ago

    This was going to be the Test with fatigue accumulating. Super performance against England but Australia took advantage brilliantly of England's in between week between NZ and SA. This was always going to be a fully committed fully prepared Scotland team and they dominated.

    They have a shot to nothing against Ireland with no ranking points to be lost and all to be gained. Ireland have picked it up a gear with the second team inflicting a heavy defeat on Fiji and leaving scores out there. With a meaner defense than Scotland's it might be a step too far for Australia.

    C
    Cantab 65 days ago

    Aussie very much a Cinderella team, can be very very good or absolutely horrid. The latter applied against Scotland. Nothing short of their best will enable them to be competitive against an Irish team defending their 2nd world ranking. NZ were able to beat the Irish by 10 points & would love to see OZ do the same. Can't see it happening through

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