Ill-discipline blamed as Scotland Women see first-half lead emphatically overturned

The Scots led 10-5 at half-time at Hive Stadium but conceded three tries in a seven-minute spell early in the second half and never recovered.

The Aussies were second best in the first half but scored 25 unanswered points after the break to run out comfortable winners and condemn Scotland to their seventh consecutive defeat. Twelve of the points came while Scotland’s influential back-rower Evie Gallagher was in the sin-bin.

Butcher, placed in interim charge following Sione Fukofuka’s sudden exit last month, blamed his team’s indiscipline for the defeat.

“That first half, we went out and played the type of rugby we want to play - lots and lots of opportunities, not all of them taken, but I think that the one feeling I'm kind of sat here with is a real sense of disappointment,” said Butcher.

Ill-discipline proves costly

“I think we're the creators of our own demise today, especially in that second half. The things that we can take away from that are if we have that ill-discipline in both some of our actions and actually giving away penalties, then a side like Australia is going to come back in and that's exactly what we did.

“We gave them momentum in the game by giving them penalties, we bounced them down the field and then they showed us what happens when you keep someone in their 22 and just execute.”

“So do I think they were the better side today? Potentially. Do I think we were the most ill-disciplined side today? Yes, I think that's what really let them into the game.”

Scotland, wearing their new white change kit, had the upper hand early on in terms of possession and territory but had to be patient. The breakthrough came in the 15th minute and it was Gallagher who provided it, scoring her fourth try of this WXV series.

The No 8 forced her way over from close range after a number of pick and goes and Helen Nelson added the extras.

Neither side have enjoyed many wins this year and there was an edginess about some of the play. Both teams were guilty of handling errors and tempers spilled over in the 24th minute. The two captains were spoken to and Australia came more into the game thereafter, pinning Scotland back into their own 22.

The hosts were under the cosh and conceded a number of penalties before the dam eventually burst. The Wallaroos forwards carried hard before the ball was worked wide to Desiree Miller who scored in the corner. Scotland hit back and Nelson’s penalty increased their lead to 10-5 just before half-time.

Emphatic momentum swung

That was as good as it got for the Scots as momentum swung emphatically in Australia’s favour after the break.

Scrum-half Samantha Wood got the ball rolling, squeezing through a gap after a lineout maul. Scotland were doubly punished as Gallagher was yellow-carded for trying to collapse the maul and Australia went on to score two tries while the influential back-rower was in the sin-bin.

Caitlyn Halse put prop Brianna Hoy away for the Wallaroos’ third try and then player of the match Faitala Moleka scored almost immediately from the restart after a searing break down the left by Miller.

From being 10-5 down at half-time, Australia were now 24-10 ahead and the Scots looked shellshocked. Not even the return of Gallagher could turn the tide and the visitors controlled the game in the final quarter, adding two more penalties through Wood.

“I think [we’re] probably frustrated that we didn't take more opportunities in the first half,” reflected Scotland captain Rachel Malcolm. “It was quite a big wind and I kind of had it in the back of my head going in at half-time that ‘had we done enough’ [with the wind behind us] and it transpired that we hadn't.

“I do also think we weren't good enough in the second half, so I do think we let ourselves down there. I think we came in at half-time and said we had a lot more in the tank and we probably could have upped it in terms of our intensity, but they definitely did that and we didn't follow suit. So, yeah, I feel frustrated for sure.”

It was Scotland’s third defeat of the WXV Global Series following home losses to Canada and New Zealand, two of the world’s top sides. The Australia match was supposed to be a more even contest but the Wallaroos won comfortably in the end. The two teams will meet twice more next month, in Sydney and Canberra.

Scotland v Australia scorers and teams

Scorers: Scotland: Tries: Gallagher. Cons: Nelson. Pens: Nelson. Australia: Tries: Miller, Wood, Hoy, Moleka. Cons: Wood 2. Pens: Wood 2.

Yellow card: Gallagher (Sco, 50min)

Scotland: H Ramsay; R Lloyd, E Wills (C Rollie 60), M Smith, S Campbell (K Buchanan 58); H Nelson, C Ainsworth (L Brebner-Holden 49); A Young (L Bartlett 70), L Skeldon (A Sutcliffe 58min), E Clarke (M Poolman 57), H Bogan, S Bonar (H Cunningham 52), R Malcolm, R McLachlan (E Donaldson 49), E Gallagher.

Australia: C Halse (A Wereta 20-31; T Hinds 60); A Whitaker, G Friedrichs (Wereta 77), F Moleka, D Miller; W Ellis, S Wood; B Hoy (M Fua 70), B Merlo (T Naden 51), F Pohiva (B O’Gorman 57), K Leaney, M Leonard (J Bemrose 70), P Tapsell (E Chancellor 51), P Duck, S Palu Sekona (L Bone 51).

Referee: Aurélie Groizeleau (FFR).

Attendance: 3,191.