Wallabies’ winning streak halted in 15-13 loss to Scotland at Murrayfield

Lengthy review denies crucial try for Wallabies’ Michael Hooper as Scotland hold on for 15-13 victory at Murrayfield.

Wallabies captain Michael Hooper reacts after his try is disallowed during the Autumn Nations Series match between Scotland and Australia at Murrayfield Stadium. Picture: Getty Images

For 66,000 roaring, delighted Scottish home fans, this was the right result – a 15-13 win that ended Australia’s five-match winning streak.

This was the first match in 600 days played before a full stadium at the intimidating cauldron that is Murrayfield: bagpipers piping Flower of Scotland, kilt-wearing fans out in force and Proclaimer songs blaring on the sound system.

For Scotland, the partying is continuing long into the night – but for the Wallabies, it was a chastening loss and not the start they were expecting to their three-match Spring Tour.

For all of their experience, the Wallabies appeared a little overwhelmed at the kick-off: panicking from the opening whistle, turning the ball over, squandering some attacking moves. Even recalled No.10 James O’Connor missed a penalty goal he would normally kick with his eyes closed.

This wasn’t a pretty game, but for all of that, the jagged play was on display from both sides and the result seesawed accordingly over 80 edge-of-your-seat minutes.

Wallabies forward Rob Leota charges into the Scottish defence. Picture: Getty Images

Even in the dying stages, when the blue sky had disappeared and the temperatures began to plummet, Australia had their chances – but a touch-finding kick by Kurtley Beale deep into the opposing half missed the mark and Scotland kept possession until the end.

The Wallabies can point to the 35th minute when they may have been hard done by. Captain Michael Hooper – one of the best players on the field – scored under the posts. But in a lengthy review, officials spotted that Allan Alaalatoa had touched the face of the Scottish backrower Matt Fagerson. Was it a swinging arm, a shoulder, or a caress of his cheek? It was unclear if any of the three, or if Alaalatoa was simply trying to clear the ruck.

In what was a lineball decision, the officials ruled not only a no-try but then sent the Wallabies prop to the sin bin.

Coach Dave Rennie was trying to be diplomatic in the post-match press conference, mindful that it was experienced referee Romain Poite’s 77th and final international match.

Before the match, ex-Wallaby Henry Speight – now playing for Biarritz – mentioned how Scotland had the luxury of being able to analyse a handful of Wallabies games, whereas the Australian coaches only had one Scottish match to pick apart.

But Rennie, the former Glasgow coach, also knows the strengths of the Scottish players, particularly half a dozen he has previously coached.

Chris Harris of Scotland tackles Izaia Perese of Australia. Picture: Getty Images

He said after the match: “They are great men, it was nice seeing them go well, I would have liked they didn’t go so well today.”

And of the Wallabies, he added: “We didn’t play anywhere near as well as liked to, we got pinged a bit in possession clearing out and other things, we need to make shifts there.” But Rennie believed the defence was strong. Izack Rodda, like Hooper, was in the action everywhere, Hunter Paisani was scything at key moments, Rob Valetini was hot and cold with some brilliant driving tackles, Len Ikitau was solid and Tom Wright forced a succession of turnovers. But Rennie will look to make some adjustments for next weekend’s blockbuster against England at Twickenham, particularly if a couple of head knocks and injuries force his hand.

Scotland scored first in the 22nd minute when a driving push from the Scottish forwards propelled Hamish Watson across the line and the home team led 7-3 at the break after O’Connor booted a penalty.

In the second half, the Wallabies hit back within five minutes when backrower Rob Leota crashed over the line off a fine run by Izaia Perese. But Australia’s lead was short-lived when in the 59th minute hooker Ewen Ashman, in his debut, scored in the corner.

O’Connor shortly afterwards booted a goal to give Australia a one-point lead, but then Scotland was awarded a scrum penalty and playmaker Finn Russell made no mistake giving Scotland the lead.

Scotland captain Stuart Hogg credited his forwards for creating the space and platform for their triumph.

“It’s brilliant, we’ve worked incredibly hard over the last little while to put ourselves in the position to win Test matches,’’ he said, noting it had been nearly two years since a crowd at Murrayfield.

“It was worth it. For me there’s no better feeling than winning here. It’s the best feeling you can get.”