Scotland vs Australia LIVE rugby: Result and final score as Blair Kinghorn misses game-winning penalty
Scotland missed the opportunity to make it four wins in a row against Australia as the Autumn Nations Series kicked off at Murrayfield
Fly-half Bernard Foley kicked 11 points for Australia in a tense 16-15 autumn international victory over Scotland at Murrayfield on Saturday as Blair Kinghorn missed a last-minute penalty to claim a win for the home side.
Depleted Scotland had been seeking an unprecedented fourth successive victory over Australia and managed two excellent tries through fullback Ollie Smith and Kinghorn, but the latter pulled his decisive penalty wide when he had the chance to win the game.
Australia have struggled so far in 2022 and were far from perfect but they relied on the boot of Foley to get them ahead in the final 10 minutes. Captain James Slipper crossed for their only try.
Scotland host Fiji next Saturday, while Australia return to their training base in France and will face their hosts in Paris.
PENALTY! Scotland 5-3 Australia (Foley 16’)
Australia then get themselves on the scoreboard as Bernard Foley kicks over from around 40 yards. That was sloppy from Scotland to give away a cheap penalty so soon after scoring.
TRY! Scotland 5-0 Australia (Smith 15’)
WOW - what a moment for Ollie Smith! Scotland lead against the run of play and it’s a stunning try. Sione Tuipulotu made the first break before Blair Kinghorn set up Smith with the delayed pass that created a gap in the Australia defence. And what a finish it was from the full-back, diving inside and then away from two Australia tackles before touching down.
Kinghorn is unable to add the conversion.
Scotland 0-0 Australia
9 mins: Tate McDermott is making his first Test start in over a year but has started brightly here, again quickening Australia’s play. The Wallabies looked threatening but Scotland were again able to slow them down, just about.
Scotland 0-0 Australia
7 mins: Australia won the penalty at the scrum and restarted play immediately, quickly marching their way down into the Scotland half. It was worked out wide and Holloway and Hooper took Australia to five metres, but Scotland recovered and the defence did well to win the turnover.
Scotland 0-0 Australia
5 mins: Scotland kicked for touch following the penalty but their play broke down at the lineout. Australia will have the first scrum of the match.
Scotland 0-0 Australia
3 mins: Brilliant break! Tate McDermott cuts inside from scrum-half, but his chip and charge runs long and Scotland are able to recover. McDermott was blocked by the referee doesn’t give anything. Scotland are then able to win a turnover inside the 22, with Ritchie involved.
Fast start.
Scotland 0-0 Australia
2 mins: The Australia winger Kellaway almost makes a break down the right wing with a kick and chase down the line, but Scotland are able to clear up and keep possession.
Scotland vs Australia
Kick-off! Blair Kinghorn gets us underway.
Scotland vs Australia
What a moment for Jamie Ritchie as he leads out Scotland as captain for the first time at Murrayfield. It’s followed by the anthems and we are set to go on a crisp autumn evening in Edinburgh!
‘It means a lot’: New Scotland captain Jamie Ritchie pleased to get Stuart Hogg’s support
New Scotland skipper Jamie Ritchie admits it “means a lot” to have the backing of predecessor Stuart Hogg as he prepares to begin his captaincy against Australia this weekend.
The 26-year-old Edinburgh flanker was appointed to the leadership role last week after head coach Gregor Townsend chose to relieve the “burden” from Hogg in an effort to help the Exeter full-back rediscover top form on the international stage.
After the change of captaincy was announced, Hogg – who is unavailable for the Australia game as it falls outside the international window – posted a congratulatory message to Ritchie on Instagram declaring that, despite his own “disappointment”, his successor would have his “full support”.
“It means a lot,” Ritchie said when asked about Hogg’s endorsement. “I have a huge amount of respect for Hoggy as a man and a rugby player and it’s been a privilege to support him over the last three years as part of his leadership group.
“He was one of the first guys to congratulate me. Gregor told him I was going to be captain before he told me. When Gregor told me, Hoggy sent me a nice message saying that he backed me and stuff like that, and that meant a lot.”
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments