Australia 35-34 Scotland
by Michael McCann
at Twickenham

Australia beat a resilient Scotland 35-34 yesterday in an entertaining Rugby World Cup quarter-final at Twickenham through a controversial penalty from Bernard Foley with just two minutes left.

Scotland led 16-15 at half-time through accurate goal-kicking from Greig Laidlaw, who scored 19 points, and scored four tries but fell just short of a famous upset.

Australia had recorded the opening try of the match within 10 minutes, as Tevita Kuridrani broke two tackles before offloading for winger Adam Ashley-Cooper to score.

Scotland recovered to lead 13-5 through two Laidlaw penalties and a converted try for Peter Horne, as 12 phases of patient build-up play paid dividends.

The Wallabies responded with two tries in the 10 minutes preceding half-time, firstly through Drew Mitchell before Michael Hooper scored from a rolling maul, after Australia boldly opted against a kickable penalty.

Australian fly-half Bernard Foley missed all three conversions as Scotland led at half-time but a minute after the break winger Sean Maitland was yellow-carded for a deliberate knock-on.

The Wallabies immediately capitalised through Ashley-Cooper via a play down the blindside, while Foley notched two kicks to put them 25-19 ahead.

Scotland fought back, Finn Russell charging down a kick from Foley in open play before gathering and finding Tommy Seymour, who scored in the corner — Laidlaw missed a difficult touchline conversion.

Australia replied with a Kuridrani try to lead 32-24 as the tempo of the game became increasingly frenetic with both defences tiring.

However, a Laidlaw penalty drew Scotland closer before Michael Bennett scored an interception try in front of the posts with just five minutes left, and Laidlaw added the extras to put Scotland 34-32 ahead.

Australian then stole victory at the death as a penalty for offside was converted by Foley with just a minute left, though Scotland can take heart from a superb performance.