This was published 7 years ago
Wallabies in thrilling one-point win over Scotland in Edinburgh
By Tom Decent
Edinburgh: The Wallabies have broken Scottish hearts once again in thrilling circumstances, with Tevita Kuridrani's 75th-minute try sealing a second consecutive one-point win between the two sides. The victory has kept Australia's grand slam dream well and truly alive.
Trailing by six points and having not led at any point of the match, the Wallabies edged ahead when Kuridrani crossed the line with five minutes remaining to put Australia ahead 23-22, in almost identical circumstances to the World Cup quarter-final last year against Scotland.
Still with work to do, the Wallabies had to repel a valiant Scottish attacking burst for more than three minutes and 19 phases after full-time but were able to walk away unscathed in a match that will crush Scotland's spirits after coming so close once again.
"Too close for comfort there," said Wallabies captain Stephen Moore following the win.
Reece Hodge scores Australia's first try against Scotland.Credit: Ian MacNicol
"We hung in the second half. We got the opportunity at the end. [That was a] hell of a game. Just fortunate we came out the good side of it."
It is the third time in the last five matches between the two sides that has been decided by a solitary point.
Australia will travel to Paris on Sunday knowing they are halfway to their end goal of a grand slam – something that has not been achieved for 32 years. They will have to wait until November 26 to line up for stage three of four against Ireland but will need some time to exhale after an enthralling match.
A 65,395-strong crowd at Murrayfield – the biggest ever for a game featuring Australia – gave Scotland a standing ovation at half-time after 40 minutes of entertaining rugby that gave every indication they had only one thing on their mind; sweet revenge for the World Cup quarter-final loss.
Disappointment: Stuart Hogg watches on as Australia celebrates.Credit: Ian MacNicol
They played with the passion of a team who had been locked in a cage for over a year, waiting to unleash on an opponent who scraped through the biggest tournament of all by the skin of their teeth.
As much as Michael Cheika and his Wallabies said they had forgotten that 35-34 thriller at Twickenham last year, not one player on the Scottish team had done so as they fought right until the very last second.
Reece Hodge celebrates after he scores Australia's first try of the game.Credit: Ian MacNicol
With a seven-point deficit to make up in the second half, the Wallabies kicked a penalty courtesy of Bernard Foley but they lagged even further behind when Scotland second-rower Jonny Gray crashed over in the 48th minute.
Foley's blemish-free kicking game kept the Australians in with a chance but it was their decision kick for touch rather than take penalties when they trailed by six points that paid off when Kuridrani scored his second try in as many matches.
Tevita Kuridrani breaks away to score a try.Credit: Ian MacNicol
Five-eighth Foley was outstanding again, while Australia's forwards, particularly captain Moore, carried with purpose all afternoon.
The first five minutes were far from ideal for the visitors. They conceded an early penalty due to an offside before second-rower Adam Coleman, who performed so admirably in Cardiff, limped from the field with a knee injury after a ruck collapsed on his leg.
Things got even worse a short time later when, off the back of a fumbled high ball attempt from winger Henry Speight, Scotland orchestrated the try of the afternoon to deflate the Wallabies and quickly bring them back to reality.
Finn Russell's deft chip over the top landed in the hands of outside-centre Huw Jones who streaked away to put Scotland up 10-0 within nine minutes.
Australia responded courtesy of that man Foley, for while it was Reece Hodge who dived over for his second Test try, it was the Wallabies five-eighth whose wrap-around with Israel Folau completely bamboozled Scotland's defence.
Australia drew level at 10-10 with a penalty after 23 minutes before Scotland edged further in front with another try to Huw down the left edge.
Mistakes within Scotland's territory cost the Wallabies dearly – everything from knock-ons to obstructions prevented them from building any fluency in attack.
They are making far too many mistakes close to the tryline and being blinded by an infatuation to offload rather than to settle for another phase which would be the smarter option.
David Pocock almost single-handedly kept Australia within striking distance – the Wallabies trailed 17-10 at half-time – as he forced a number of crucial turnovers at the breakdown.
Australia's backline were lauded after a five tries to one display at Principality Stadium but they did not spring into action until later in the match.
Will Skelton's return to Test rugby lasted just six minutes after he was sent to the sin bin for foul play right when the Wallabies looked like they might hit the lead for the first time with 12 minutes remaining.
It looked like payback for the World Cup quarter-final, but Australia escaped in a nail-biter to go two from two on their spring tour.
SCOTLAND 22 (Huw Jones 2, Jonny Gray tries; Greig Laidlaw 2 conversions; Greig Laidlaw 1 penalty) defeated by AUSTRALIA 23 (Reece Hodge, Tevita Kuridrani; Foley 2 conversions; Foley 3 penalties) at Murrayfield, Edinburgh. Referee: John Lacey.
Fairfax Media