Scotland beat Wallabies in desperate, dour Murrayfield arm-wrestle

Well, that was a disappointing way to end the weekend.

The Wallabies showed glimpses of a team that had the skill to move the ball around well and play their game in tough conditions.

Those glimpses were far too fleeting however, leading to more questions about the direction the team is heading in.

The Wallabies will be back in action next week against Wales in Cardiff.

We’ll be back to bring you all that action too.

Here’s how the players lined up today.

Gregor Townsend, the Scotland coach, has just spoken to British TV station, ITV.

“When we saw the rain half an hour before kick off, you still hope you’ll be able to move the ball. You could tell defences were coming off the line a bit quicker, knowing they could pressure the ball carrier,” he says.

“Both teams had to adjust and I thought we did that well. Defensively, that’s one of the best performances I’ve seen in the last couple of years. Set after set we were putting them under pressure.

“We were on that edge of physicality but disciplined, hitting hard in the tackle, putting pressure on, listening to the referee, getting back onside. That makes it hard for the opposition to get into our 22m, which was a learning from last week.

“It was just constant effort. Today, we showed we can play another game, too.”

Les Kiss is speaking to Stan Sport.

“At moments … we were in our own end, a fair bit, they played and controlled it … but I thought there were some really nice attacking moments from us,” Kiss says.

“Longers  {Ryan Lonergan] and Carter [Gordon] opened up a few opportunities on the edges a number of times.

“Our defence definitely turned up.

“Our physicality overall was right up, which was pleasing.

“A couple of moments, that try in the corner with the maul, probably a couple of discipline moments that gave them easy yards just put us on the back foot.

“Full of fight, that’s for sure. But you want to win those ones.”

You sure do. And he is right about there being some nice moments.

But Australia’s first attacking threat in the second half came with just eight minutes remaining?

Before that it was horrid, static, one-out rugby with little to no ideas evident.

“We’ve just got to go and do the preparation that we have been doing,” he says.

“Working hard and knowing that there is work to be done still.”

He is asked about squads, but he doesn’t give much away as to whether there will be a change or two next week.

Wilson is asked about Wales next week.

“We’ve got to review this hard,” he says.

“I think it was a step forward but it wasn’t a win.

“We want to win.

“We saw Wales beat New Zealand at the weekend, they’re going to be full of confidence but, this group, we’re going to be up for the challenge.”

Here’s Wallabies skipper Harry Wilson, who his bloodied and battered, reflecting the toughness of that contest.

“I’m really proud of the group’s bounce back from last week,” he says.

“We weren’t happy with that and we wanted to come out and show some physical intent and try and physically impose ourselves, and I think we did that.

“We’re not happy with the result, but Scotland, in Scotland, it’s a tough game and their boys fronted up too.

“We weren’t far away there in the end.”

He is asked whether the performance was better than last week

“It was a lot better. The boys fronted up,” he says.

“It was an arm-wrestle.

Whoever blinked first… that try before half time, it was a tough one. They’re really trying to crack down on that at the moment and that was probably a really big moment in the end, because 14-all at half time we might have had them there.

 “We’ve got to be better at icing those big moments

“I’m really proud of the group’s fight right to the end, even with a minute left on the clock we didn’t give up and we nearly got there.”

Hmmm, I have an opinion about that.

They were a bit better defensively, but goodness me, that was one of the worst attacking displays of rugby I think I’ve seen this year.

Here’s the team stats for today’s match.

Rory Darge is player of the match.

“I dunno [where it was won]. That was some shift for the boys,” he says.

“We knew Australia would respond after last week and we were obviously disappointed after last week’s performance.

“A lot of the stuff we wanted to respond on was the physical side of the game and I think we did that really well.

“It was a bit of an arm-wrestle.

“We know they want to throw the ball around, we like to play an attacking style, but today was a battle of the defences.”

Tough times for the Wallabies.

They might have been able to steal something there right at the death.

But where was that play earlier?

A lacklustre attacking performance.

But on the plus side, the defence was far better.

The Scots kick deep but the Wallabies launch an attack!

This is remarkable!

Suaalii, who has done nothing all game, has the ball in his hands and he’s bursting free! Wilson and McDermott linking up to set him free!

He gives it to Jorgensen who sets off down the wing!

Now Wright is there!

But he is bundled into touch!

Max Jorgensen scores!

Surely not!

It’s lovely play from Ben Donaldson to use the ball wide once again.

He does so well to get the ball to Jeremy Williams, who flicks the ball wide to Jorgensen, who scoots over.

Where has this attacking intent been for the last 60 minutes or so?!

The quick conversion is scored by Donaldson.

Scotland 15 – 12 Wallabies

More width from the Wallabies. That’s better. Far too late, but better.

The kick is toed ahead by Jorgensen, who has barely had the ball this game.

It sits up for Russell.

He settles and the Scots clear for touch.

Oh it’s the right idea from Tate McDermott, injecting some pace around the ruck with a lovely run.

He darts past a couple of tackles and looks for support outside.

But then he passes it forward.

Darcy Graham is pinged for holding onto the ball in the ruck as the Wallabies look to build off the back of a box kick on half way.

They’ll kick up field to the edge of the 22 for the line out.

Count the infringements, Harry Wilson I believe is pinged for not rolling away. Fraser McReight is off his feet too.

But it is a penalty and the Scots are going to kick for the points.

Finn Russell takes his time to set the kick – and then gets told the shot clock on the stadium scoreboard is not right, and he only has 10 seconds rather than the 20 he thought he had.

He slots it anyway and the Wallabies have a huge mountain to climb now.

Scotland 15 – 5 Wallabies

The Wallabies spin the ball wide!

Goodness! It’s taken the introduction of Ben Donaldson but the Wallabies finally look to move the ball wide.

They do well, right up until the point that Harry Wilson passes into a Scotland hand instead of a Wallaby hand and now the Scots are surging forward!

The kick is sent up by the Scots, another challenging box kick that is knocked on in contact by the chasing home player.

The Wallabies will have a scrum on the edge of their 22.

Ben Donaldson has come on in place of Len Ikitau – Carter Gordon switching to inside centre.

The Scots go one way, then the next, it’s frantic and slightly overcomplicated.

But they have the ball in their hands at least.

Kinghorn kicks ahead but it’s too deep and will be a 22m drop out for the Wallabies.

Scotland kick the first penalty long, quickly.

It’s kicked back and the Wallabies get their paws on the ball on the ground, but illegally.

The Scots kick again for the sideline, the line out will be 30 metres out from the Wallabies line.

Oh my word.

Scotland win the ball after 18 phases of desperately ineffective Wallabies possession.

It’s all one-out runners, no passing plays at all.

You could be kind and call it patient.

The unkind might call it clueless.

Scotland wins the ball at the line out and kicks it out.

The Wallabies have the line out just outside the Scotland 22.

This is a big moment, the first of the second half for the Wallabies to do something with the ball.

A Scotland backline move goes awry, and the Wallabies have a chance here!

It’s Tom Wright who toes the ball down the sideline, but the ball takes an off break into touch, for a line out.

The Wallabies are going absolutely nowhere. There is no direction at all. It’s painful to watch, just first receiver into contact, rinse and repeat.

So Lonergan goes box kick.

And the Wallabies win the ball on half way!

But then Lonergan knocks on.

Scrum Scotland.

Big performance from the biggest man on the pitch.

Taniela Tupou gets over the ball and comes so close to winning a turnover there.

But then, two tackles later, he gets his hands on the ball and gets the decision.

That came after a magical moment down the sideline from Finn Russell to release the Scotland attack.

But it’s still so stop-start from both teams.

A box kick from White is once again fluffed by Gordon.

But then Tupou stood tall.

The Scots box kick and Carter Gordon can’t handle it.

But neither can the Scottish chasers and it’s out for a Wallabies line out just outside their five metre line.

The Wallabies are using up the time while they are down a man very well.

Some massive shots there on Wallabies players but they hold on to the ball brilliantly inside their own 22.

Taniela Tupou is on and he carries hard into the Scotland line.

Lonergan kicks and the Scots have the line out on half way.

Oh that’s a massive shot on Rob Valetini.

It’s Finn Russell who gets under the chest, Ewan Ashman holding him up and the maul is called.

Great stop from Scotland, with Ashman roaring to fire up his team.

Scrum ball on their own 10 for the Scots.

The Wallabies recycle the ball well and progress up field.

Then Ryan Lonergan puts a box kick up for Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, who knocks on.

The Scots play on and kick for touch, and it will be a Wallabies line out on the Scotland 10 metre line.

The Wallabies win another penalty at the breakdown.

Zander Fagerson it is who is pinged for going off his feet.

He did a superb drive initially, but was then bundled over and that’s what cost him.

Rob Valetini lets him know about it with a shove in the back.

Forwards from a different era will be spinning in their beds if they knew a prop was able to throw a line out ball as well as that.

Superb stuff.

Then the Wallabies break down the right!

But Lonergan is bundled into touch just outside the 22.

Solid defence from the Wallabies once again and they win the turnover in midfield.

They are hanging in here, the Wallabies.

That’s a vital passage of play, repelling the Scots with the man advantage.

You get a feeling that there might be a moment of clarity that sets the hosts free, but the Wallabies are denying them that.

Brilliant from Josh Canham!

He steals the ball and the Wallabies clear out beyond the 22.

Blair Kinghorn is hit in the head by Billy Pollard way back a few phases ago.

It’s so clear and that’s why they’ve gone back for it.

Josh Canham is down too and Harry Wilson is pleading with the referee to look at why he is out of action as well.

But we’re not seeing that again on the TV and those arguments go unanswered.

Scotland with the line out 15 metres out.

The Wallabies are all on the back foot here in defence.

But then all of a sudden Josh Canham throws a remarkable pass after the ball is lost and the Wallabies are on the attack.

The Scots have been better with the ball in hand but now the Wallabies are showing some attacking intent as well.

There’s a penalty though…

But we’re going back for something…

That is much better from Scotland.

The Wallabies make a mess of the lineout and Scotland have the attacking ball.

The Wallabies are at sixes and sevens in defence, and a clever kick from Blair Kinghorn pins the visitors on their own 5 metre line for a line out.

Pressure for the Wallabies.

The Scots and Wallabies kick the ball to each other.

It’s going nowhere quickly until Ben White finds touch on half way.

He goes long into the Scotland 22.

His kicks are a work of art, to be honest. Such a great boot on him.

Scotland has to kick clear, up to half way, and the Wallabies come forward again.

It has to be said, this is one for the purists.

It’s scrappy, but are the Wallabies scrapping for their lives out there? It feels like it.

Both teams have made errors.

But yes, the Wallabies are attacking the Scotland line, disrupting and making some dominant tackles.

Are they dominant enough? Perhaps not across the board, but Allan Alaalatoa has been immense in making wrecking-ball tackles, while Len Ikitau too has made some dominant hits, particularly on Finn Russell, who has been desperately quiet for Scotland, perhaps as a result of that extra attention.

That was a brutal half of rugby.

The Wallabies have really fronted up, making things messy through pure endeavour at the breakdown.

But it’s not quite been enough, and some crucial turnovers have cost them.

It’s still very much all to play for out there though.

Oh that’s good Scottish defence.

The Wallabies win the line out but this time encounter a rock of blue jerseys in front of them.

The Wallabies keep it tight as the Murrayfield crowd roar “SCOTLAND! SCOTLAND!” to the rafters.

The Wallabies are only going backwards after some tremendous midfield hits.

Now Carter Gordon sees space out wide and puts a kick in over the top, but it goes out on the full and that will be that.

Plenty of disquiet among the referees in the crowd.

Scotland did so well to win the ball at the turn over, Tom Jordan ripping the ball away from Suaalii’s attempted clean out.

But then Fraser McReight gets his hands on the very next ruck.

Line out will be five metres out.

Another penalty, and this one is also at the scrum against Scotland.

“Over-extended,” says the referee.

The Wallabies were going nowhere with that ball though, right side back to left side and the Scotland defence was holding firm.

The kick is for the corner, but it will be a line out for the Wallabies just outside the Scotland 22.

Oh that’s a let off for Scotland.

A lovely box kick from Ben White sees Tom Jordan beat Carter Gordon in the air.

The Scots move the ball well but then the Wallabies rush up and Ryan Lonergan gets hold of Finn Russell and forces a forward pass.

It is so messy in midfield, this game. There are players all over the place.

Immediate response from the Wallabies once more as they get over the line!

This maul was much better, much tidier.

Or was it?

The TMO is checking for possible obstruction.

Was the back lifter (Jeremy Williams) in front of the leaper (Ryan Canham)?

Oh yes, he was.

That’s such poor execution from the Wallabies – those are the skill errors that simply cannot happen in tight Test matches.

A messy, messy maul that has the Scottish crowd screaming for some sort of intervention from the referee.

The Wallabies held onto the ball well though.

Now they have to use it and do.

But the Scotland defence is huge.

The Wallabies lose the ball but Zander Fagerson is pinged for collapsing the maul.

I have no idea how anything could have been ascertained from that by the referee – it was a horrible mess.

Harry Wilson thinks there was some high contact on his head. He has a point. But there’s no foul, apparently. Hmmmmm.

Line out Wallabies. They’ll try again.

More technical infringements at the scrum, this time it’s the front row folding and the Wallabies have the advantage.

Any chance of a kick for points is ignored, and Carter Gordon shows his class with a superb kick right to the corner.

Wallabies line out 5 metres away from the line.

A forward pass there from Scotland.

It’s a clear one too, as the Wallabies flooded into the contact zone and made things as messy as they could.

Both teams are willing to put the high ball up and look for the error.

At the moment, both teams are obliging.

The Wallabies scrum is just in Scotland territory.

Jack Demsey burrows over and scores after some close combat battles off the back of that line out that would make the director of a war movie wince.

The former Wallaby dives over and Murrayfield erupts.

The extras are added.

Scotland 12 – 5 Wallabies

Rob Valetini is pinged for not rolling away.

Fraser McReight is arguing the case.

He is told in no uncertain terms to get back to his mark.

The Wallabies now have to defend a 5 metre line out.

Scotland have been forced into an early change.

Max Williamson is on, Scott Cummins is limping his way off the field.

He challenged for the last line out and Canham just leaned on him as they fell – nothing illegal but perhaps enough to just knock him off balance and make his fall heavier on one leg than it could handle.

Scotland has the line out and wins it, launching an attack towards the Wallabie22.

How crucial that penalty!

Scotland spin the ball out the back quickly off the line out.

There is all sorts of subterfuge in that backline, with dummy runs.

The ball is kicked to the corner. Kyle Steyn kicks it in past Carter Gordon, into Darcy Graham, who dots down.

But hang on… Steyn was in touch when he kicked it on.

The Wallabies have a line out 10 metres from their own line.

Josh Canham gets off the maul incredibly quickly to charge down a Ben White box kick.

No wonder, he is very offside.

That is not smart play.

Scotland kick long and have a line out just outside the Wallabies 22.

Scotland do really well to win the ball at a ruck.

Fraser McReight steals it back.

Lots of battles going on out there. Lots of tough play with nothing very clean at all.

Billy Pollard is down as the ball is kicked out and we’ll have a little break to see how he is.

The Scots have a line out just outside their own 22.

Both teams are willing to kick in the mirky conditions.

Carter Gordon wins that battle too, a great kick that pins Russell back in the back right pocket, with the Scotland and Lions fly half banana kicking out towards half way.

From the goal line drop out, Ryan Lonergan decides to have a go at the drop goal.

But he misses and the Scots will have a restart from the 22, now.

Carter Gordon almost wins a 50:22 from the free kick.

The Scots kick it back.

Max Jorgensen does really well to win the ball back and then sparks an attack that has the Scots backpedalling.

The Wallabies kick to the corner, where Finn Russell defends.

Scotland’s front row looks quizzically after being pinned for a free kick for lifting the bracing leg at the scrum.

Lots of technical infringements at scrum time over the last couple of weeks – that’s what the public are here for.

More superb defence from the Wallabies. They are really fronting up after the embarrassment of last week.

There are some absolutely ferocious tackles coming in – Allan Alaalatoa has been shot out of a cannon and is making his mark on anyone and everyone who is coming near him.

Brown lost the ball, knocking on just before Harry Wilson arrived.

Allan Alaalatoa is furious about something that’s happened there.

I think it was Rory Darge who was involved? Or perhaps Gregor Brown?

There is nothing doing says the referee and the Scots will have a line out just inside the Wallabies half.

Harry Potter does brilliantly to score in the corner!

Carter Gordon with a dummy as he takes the ball to the line, the Wallabies move the ball to the left.

Potter races to within five metres of the line, but then spins and contorts himself over the line.

Scotland 5 – 5 Wallabies

The opening try to Matt Fagerson!

Some big collisions in midfield off the scrum, the Wallabies defence standing tall, Len Ikitau in particular with a big shot in midfield.

But the Scots recycle, drive thrice in close before passing wide to a very lonely Fagerson, who dives over to score.

Kick is missed.

Scotland 5 – 0 Wallabies

Carter Gordon is trapped on his own five metres after a clever kick from Finn Russell. He is belted after he kicks but it’s all fair.

Gordon was monstered though – and then the Scots counter ruck to pile over the top.

The Wallabies do come away with it through Allan Alaalatoa, but he knocks on trying to escape.

The crowd roared their team on there and the Wallabies need to be aware of that crowd involvement.

The Scots have the put in, 5 metres out, 15 metres in from their right touchline.

First blood to the Wallabies at scrum time, in something of a bloodless coup.

The Scots were too eager to engage so the Wallabies get the free kick, kicking the ball to their own 10 for a Scottish line out.

Rob Valetini justifies his selection in the starting line up straight away.

The Wallabies defend the maul first up from the line out.

Then Scotland move the ball to the left.

Valetini was there to stand in the tackle and he held up his man to create the maul.

It’s a scrum on their own 5.

The Wallabies can’t find touch after the box kick from their 22, and Scotland bring it back with several phases of possession.

Several phases of play from Scotland, shifting to the narrow side regularly out the back of the ruck.

Allan Alaalatoa made several thumping shots there, bringing physicality that was absent at Twickenham.

Then the Wallabies are pinged for being offside.

The penalty is kickable, but Russell goes for touch.

The firework smoke is still there, as the high kick off flies into it, Finn Russell kicking off deep into the Wallabies 22.

Potter takes the ball and dishes it off to his forwards.

It’s New Zealand’s James Doleman who is the man in the middle with the whistle today.

The smoke from the fireworks remain, hovering above the players, adding to the dreary, almost primordial atmosphere of a late autumn afternoon in Scotland.

The band does its best to rouse the spirits though, with a surprisingly jaunty rendition of Advance Australia Fair.

Now it’s Flower of Scotland time. No band for this, just a sole piper atop the stands in one of the greatest spectacles in world sport.

It’s a hauntingly beautiful liturgy, especially when the pipes stop for the second half and the Scots in the crowd raise their voices to the heavens instead.

Brilliant.

The roar that follows, even better.

The Wallabies run out first into the rain, with a muted reception from the Edinburgh crowd, which will no doubt erupt when Scotland walk out in a few seconds time.

Rory Darge leads the Scots out, walking stately to their mark having made the Wallabies wait.

Time for the anthems.

It’s been a big weekend of rugby in the Nations Championship…

And it’s not been a great one for the southern hemisphere, all things considered.

Here’s the run down.

France edge South Africa in classic

France and South Africa played out on the game of the year on Friday night local time at a raucous Stade de France, with Les Bleus running out winners 21-19 in a genuine thriller. Odds on a repeat in the final in two weeks time are shortening by the hour…

Want an indication as to how furious a pace that match was contested at? Check out the final seconds in this clip – especially one of the all-time great tackles by Louis Bielle-Biarrey on Jesse Kriel.

Hook that crowd noise into the veins of every French player and they’ll never lose a Test again. Astonishing.

Wales stun All Blacks

On Saturday, Wales pulled off the shock of the year, ending a 53-year drought against the All Blacks to win 35-28 in front of a dazed and confused Cardiff crowd, who are probably still in the cities bars and clubs toasting the most unlikely of successes.

England crush Japan

England dealt a thumping of epic proportions to their former coach, Eddie Jones, thrashing Japan 78-15 at Twickenham. Of the 13 tries England scored, five came via Will Joseph, a record-equalling haul for the man winning his second Test cap — the first of which was given to him by Jones…

Ireland labour to win over Fiji

Ireland overcame a spirited Fijian side 43-15, rousing themselves after a very sluggish start to win in Dublin. Special mention to Ulster debutant James McNabney, who came on, made a bullocking run down the middle of the pitch, got to within a hair’s breadth of the try line, before a swinging arm from Inoke Ravuiwasa knocked him clean out. Pretty eventful debut.

Pumas tame Italy in Genoa

Only Argentina held up the end of the southern hemisphere, edging past winless Italy 19-14 in Genoa. I have nothing smart or clever to say about this one.

Two years ago, the Wallabies came to Murrayfield on a high after beating England and Wales the two weeks prior.

Scotland delivered a sizable full stop to their grand slam hopes with a 27-13 victory.

You can read all about that here.

There’s a combined 71 years of life experience in this photo.

Kurtley Beale is not in today’s match squad, by the way.

Scotland cannot be considered to be among world rugby’s top teams until they start delivering consistent results, according to centre Huw Jones.

The Scots had high hopes of ending their 121-year winless run against New Zealand, after coming desperately close against them last year, but were on the receiving end of a sobering 43-21 defeat last week.

“We know that we have it in us to be a top team but ultimately we’ve probably not proved it consistently enough yet,” Jones said.

“Over the past few years, we’ve had a couple of big wins here and there. But it’s about consistency. In these big games, we have a couple of big moments, but that’s not enough. We have to be on it for 80 minutes.

“It’s those key moments where a lack of concentration costs. If you’re just a yard the wrong side of a breakdown or the pass is slightly off, these are huge moments where you just have to be incredibly accurate.”

The 32-year-old Jones has been a regular in the Scotland side for the last decade and played for the British & Irish Lions against Australia last year.

“I think the top teams just prove it time and time again why they’re the top teams,” he said.

“If you think of New Zealand and South Africa, they get those moments right more often than not.

“Whereas when we do, we look brilliant and everyone says, ‘oh, Scotland play fantastic rugby’. But when we don’t, you end up with results like the one against New Zealand.”

– Reuters

Hi Sleepy.

It’s not a sporting calendar without some stupid viewing times to upset our sleeping patterns.

I have a pretty simple strategy for tonight.

Coffee.

Packet of lollies.

(Just like Finn Russell, it seems)

Watching Louis Bielle-Biarrey’s tackle at the end of the France-South Africa game the other day at full volume on my headphones.

Simples.

Brandon Paenga-Amosa couldn’t decide whether he was hot or cold when the Wallabies trained at the University of Edinburgh’s Peffermill Sports Fields this week.

Meanwhile, at blog towers in Brisbane, a ferocious thunderstorm is rumbling overhead, somewhat prophetically starting just as I opened this blog. Gulp.

Anyway, where it counts, Murrayfield, we’re expecting light rain and a gentle breeze, temperatures at kick off around 5 degrees.

Reports from the ground suggest it’s actually very wet and very windy. Which is Scots for light rain and gently breeze, in fairness.

Get that t-shirt back on, Brandon.

Bear with me for a second.

Far from being an exact science, there can be a fair amount read into how a player has performed based on how many photos of them there are on the agencies after an international – and what those photos show.

There were two of Len Ikitau.

The first is him getting monstered by England halves Fin Smith and Jack van Poortvliet.

The second is of him sprawled on the turf in the wake of Immanuel Feyi-Waboso.

Ikitau told press this week that the Wallabies must change their mindset for today’s Test or else risk another damaging defeat after last weekend’s record loss to England.

“England kind of gave it to us from the start and put us on a load of pressure and played the way that they wanted to play and we kind of sat back and watched them,” Ikitau said.

“We can’t be doing that against Scotland; we really want to be going out there, especially in defence, and put them under the pressure.

“Playing in Scotland, that’s where they come alive. We’ve worked on that massively this week.”

Ikitau said he had no idea why Australia were so flat at Twickenham.

“We had a great week ahead of the game, I thought the preparations were on point but sometimes you get to a game and you’re just not there and I felt like we were off as a team and as a collective.”

One problem is finding a settled partnership in midfield.

“We’re all over the shop at the moment and there have been some major fixes for us as a backline, working at training,” Ikitau said.

“It’s been pretty tough trying to stick with the same centre pairing, and being able to play consistently with the same people, but I feel like we’ve got a lot of good centres.”

– with Reuters

Here’s the Wallabies team for tonight’s match.

Last week’s result was not Riley Meredith’s fault by any stretch, but you’d think Carter Gordon is, in my view, a superior option to play at 10.

He’s back just a couple of months after fracturing his leg against Argentina and not a moment too soon. He has to be the first choice of Les Kiss heading into the World Cup and having him playing is a huge boost.

He is one of three changes that Les Kiss has made for tonight’s match.

Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii returns to the centres alongside Len Ikitau, a partnership that has worked in the past, and gives us another look at the burgeoning rivalry between him and Melbourne-raised Scotland captain Sione Tuipulotu in the midfield. Giddy up.

It is the 18th time the pair have played together, which by the standards of the times makes them the modern version of Little and Horan…

Harry Potter comes in to take Suaalii’s place on the wing.

Experiment in the backline is over, with Rob Valetini back in the starting XV at blindside flanker/

Jeremy Williams moves forward into the second row, with Lukhan Salakaia-Loto out the squad entirely, Lachlan Shaw coming in on the bench.

Brandon Paenga-Amosa is the back-up hooker.

 Here is the Scotland line up today.

As we’ve already mentioned, a massive out for the hosts, with Sione Tuipulotu out of the team due to a knee injury.

That’s prompted a shift, Tom Jordan starting at inside centre, with Stafford McDowell taking his place on the bench.

Aside from that, Scotland coach Gregor Townsend didn’t feel the need to too drastically alter the team that were well beaten by New Zealand 43-21, despite the familiar frailties coming back to the fore.

Both of the original two changes come in the back three, with Lions fullback Blair Kinghorn starting in the 15 jersey, while record try scorer Darcy Graham is in on the left wing.

Jamie Dobie drops to the bench, Kyle Rowe drops out the squad.

Newcastle’s Macclesfield-born back rower Ollie Leatherbarrow will likely make his debut, as Townsend decides on a 6-2 split on the bench.

Given that England did the same last weekend, before putting back rower Henry Pollock on the wing, maybe he’ll find himself out wide in a first international start for the land of his mother’s birth.

And it’s a big one too.

Scotland will be without their former Melbourne Rebel Sione Tuipulotu, who was a very late withdrawal after suffering a knee injury.

Tom Jordan comes into the side in his place, with Stafford McDowall coming onto the bench.

Full team news coming up.

Those were the words of Wallabies coach Les Kiss after the shellacking at the hands of England last week.

He’d better hope it wasn’t.

The Wallabies were horrible last weekend, looking like half of them were still on the plane from Sydney, with the others looking like they never even got on it to begin with.

Needless to say, tonight’s match is vital.

England delivered a chastening message to Australian supporters last weekend, thrashing a woeful Wallabies 45-22.

The 22 points the Wallabies scored were barely deserved in truth, with two tries gifted via a rare Itoje drop and a wild intercept.

It was the sort of performance that demands a lot of questions be asked by the coaching team, and probably of them, too.

Here’s the match recap, if you wanted to get your evening off to a bad start by reliving that atrocity of a performance.

Unfortunately for free to air fans, tonight’s game is only available on Stan Sport.

So if you’re not a subscriber, you’ll just have to stick with us.

If you are a subscriber, you can stay too. I’ll let ya.

We’re set to start at 2:10am AEDT this morning.

That’s your kick off time in New South Wales, the ACT, Victoria and Tasmania.

In Queensland we’re looking at a 1:10am start.

In South Australia it’s going to be 1:40am, in the Northern Territory it is a 0:40am start.

And out in Western Australia, it’s still Sunday night for you folks, with kick off at 11:10pm.

Hello folks and welcome to ABC Sport’s live coverage of Australia’s crucial Test match against Scotland at Murrayfield.

My name is Simon Smale and, if you are one of the faithful alongside me at this ungodly hour, welcome!

There’s little doubt that today’s Test match is absolutely vital for the Wallabies.

OK, there is no chance of Australia making the final of the Nations Championship, but this is far more important for the Wallabies as the countdown to the 2027 Rugby World Cup ticks ever louder.

The terrible outing at Twickenham exposed a whole lot of problems for Australia. Can they make amends at Murrayfield?

We’ll find out soon enough.