Kinghorn miss ends Aussie drought

MATCH REPORT: Flyhalf Blair Kinghorn missed a last-minute penalty, as Scotland failed to continue a six-year winning streak against Australia.

The Wallabies came from behind to win 16-15 in a dour arm-wrestle at Murrayfield in Edinburgh on Saturday – the Aussies first win over Scotland since 2016.

Despite outscoring g their opponents by two tries to one, it was the hosts’ poor discipline that cost them – Bernard Foley kicking a conversion and three penalties to seal the win.

* To recap all the drama, CLICK HERE!

Kinghorn experienced the agony and the joy of Test rugby in this game.

Scotland was on course for a record-breaking fourth successive win over the Wallabies – 15-6 ahead going into the final quarter after Kinghorn created a try for fullback Ollie Smith and then scored one himself.

But the Wallabies ensured their European tour opener started with a victory that ended a run of three consecutive defeats against all opponents after Scotland replacement Glen Young was sin-binned for a dangerous challenge on Australia scrumhalf Tate McDermott.

With Scotland a man down, Australia captain James Slipper forced his way over for a close-range, converted try before Bernard Foley’s penalty – his fourth successful goal-kick of the match nudged the Wallabies a point in front with 10 minutes remaining.

Scotland, however, had a chance to win the game at the death only for Kinghorn’s 40-metre penalty effort to sail wide of the left post.

Australia led 6-5 at half-time, with two Foley penalties just cancelling out Smith’s 11th-minute try.

Scotland, however, would have been ahead at the break had centre Sione Tuipulotu not squandered what seemed a certain try by carelessly knocking on in sight of Australia’s line.

But the Scots went on to lead 12-6 early in the second half thanks to Kinghorn’s breakaway try, the flyhalf converting his own score.

Australia came into this match boosted by the return of former captain Michael Hooper, with the star flank playing his first Test since withdrawing on the eve of August’s match against Argentina in Mendoza when not in the “right mindset”.

Scotland, because this match took place outside the official window for end-of-year Tests, were only able to select players from home-based teams, with former captain and fullback Stuart Hogg and playmaker Adam Hastings unavailable as they are at English clubs.

Flyhalf Finn Russell, who plays for Paris side Racing 92 was also unavailable, although Scotland coach Gregor Townsend had taken the controversial decision to drop the gifted flyhalf from his entire squad for the entire year-end programme.

Scotland captain Jamie Ritchie, renowned for his breakdown work, led from the front by winning several important early turnovers, one of which helped lead to the hosts’ opening the scoring in the 11th minute after they kicked into the Wallabies’ 22.

Scotland got good front-foot ball from a line-out and Kinghorn’s cleverly delayed pass to Smith split Australia’s defence.

Smith still had work to do but the fullback confidently jinked past a couple of defenders for a well-worked try.

Kinghorn, however, missed the conversion from out on the left and Foley – who broke Scottish hearts with a last-gasp winning penalty in a 2015 World Cup quarterfinal clash at Twickenham – cut the hosts’ lead to 3-5 a few minutes later.

Scotland declined a kickable penalty only for Tuipulotu to drop an excellent cut-out pass from Kinghorn as a try went begging.

The Wallabies went ahead just before half-time, when Scotland conceded another penalty and Foley, called up by Slipper for the goal attempt, made no mistake from 30 metres out.

So much of the build-up had been dominated by a debate over how Scotland would miss Russell’s creativity.

But Edinburgh flyhalf Kinghorn again proved his worth soon early in the second half.

A big hit from Scotland centre Mark Bennett saw the ball spill loose and Kinghorn hacked ahead into open space.

Kinghorn then sped past the cover and the ball then bounced kindly into his arms before he went over the line to the delight of a capacity crowd.

The flyhalf, having added the conversion, then extended Scotland’s lead to 15-6 with a simple penalty in front of Australia’s posts.

Former Australia international Jack Dempsey made his Scotland debut off the bench, the flank qualified under new World Rugby eligibility rules, as Townsend rang the changes with 20 minutes left.

But amid the disruption, prop Slipper forced his way over from close range.

Australia next play Six Nations Grand Slam champions and 2023 World Cup hosts France in Paris a week on Saturday, when Scotland is at home to Fiji.0

Man of the match: Scotland flyhalf Blair Kinghorn was his team’s outstanding player, but that last penalty miss will haunt him for years to come. Tate McDermott was vital to the Aussie cause, with forwards like James Slipper, Dave Porecki, Nick Frost, Cadeyrn Neville, Michael Hooper and Rob Valetini all putting in big shifts – with tackle counts into double digits. Frost made a match-high 18 tackles. Our award goes to Wallaby flyhalf Bernard Foley – for his calm and collected performance under great pressure. Not only did he also make all his tackles and even won a turnover, but he kicked the points that mattered.

Moment of the match: Without a doubt this was the yellow card of Scotland replacement Glen Young for his dangerous clean-out at a ruck in the 56th minute, allowing the Wallabies to get back into the game when they were trailing 6-15 and the hosts seemingly in control.

The scorers

For Scotland
Tries: Smith, Kinghorn
Con: Kinghorn
Pen: Kinghorn

For Australia
Try: Slipper
Con: Foley
Pens: Foley 3

Yellow card: Glen Young (Scotland, 56 – foul play, dangerous clean-out at a ruck)

Teams

Scotland: 15 Ollie Smith, 14 Darcy Graham, 13 Mark Bennett, 12 Sione Tuipulotu, 11 Duhan van der Merwe, 10 Blair Kinghorn, 9 Ali Price, 8 Matt Fagerson, 7 Hamish Watson, 6 Jamie Ritchie (captain), 5 Grant Gilchrist, 4 Sam Skinner, 3 Zander Fagerson, 2 Dave Cherry, 1 Pierre Schoeman.
Replacements: 16 George Turner, 17 Jamie Bhatti, 18 WP Nel, 19 Glen Young, 20 Jack Dempsey, 21 George Horne, 22 Ross Thompson, 23 Damien Hoyland.

Australia: 15 Tom Banks, 14 Andrew Kellaway, 13 Len Ikitau, 12 Hunter Paisami, 11 Tom Wright, 10 Bernard Foley, 9 Tate McDermott, 8 Rob Valetini, 7 Michael Hooper, 6 Jed Holloway, 5 Cadeyrn Neville, 4 Nick Frost, 3 Allan Alaalatoa, 2 David Porecki, 1 James Slipper (captain).
Replacements: 16 Folau Fainga’a, 17 Matt Gibbon, 18 Taniela Tupou, 19 Ned Hanigan, 20 Pete Samu, 21 Nic White, 22 Noah Lolesio, 23 Jock Campbell.

Referee: Luke Pearce (England)
Assistant referees: Karl Dickson (England), Christophe Ridley (England)
TMO: Stuart Terheege (England)