Written by Lachlan Grey on Oct 13, 2024 02:50 AM, courtesy of rugby.com.au Source article.
LIVE: The Wallaroos hold a 21-12 half time lead over Scotland as they battle it out for the WXV 2 title in Cape Town.
Early tries to Desiree Miller, Maya Stewart and Cecilia Smith saw the Australians rocket ahead early before a late yellow card against Siokapesi Palu helped Scotland claw their way back into the contest.
Watch the Wallaroos tackle Scotland to decide WXV 2 live and exclusively on Stan Sport.
EARLIER: Jo Yapp’s side have put together back-to-back wins over South Africa and Wales to control their destiny heading into the final round.
Backrower Ashley Marsters will break the record for most caps by a Wallaroo as she plays her 34th Test.
Meanwhile, Scotland were forced to dig deep to defeat a spirited Japanese outfit last week.
They sit two points behind the Australians with scrumhalf Leia Brebner-Holden making her first start.
FOLLOW ALL THE ACTION FROM 2:00 AM ( AEDT)IN THE LIVE BLOG BELOW OR THE MATCH CENTRE
HALF TIME – WALLAROOS 21 LEAD SCOTLAND 12
34′ SCOTLAND TRY! Fullback Chloe Rollie crosses for Scotland’s second and the WXV2 decider is fast becoming a classic! Australia couldn’t clear their line effectively and the Scots’ counterattack was sublime, ending in Rollie diving over down the left wing corner. No extras this time but the Wallaroos have lost their momentum and the defending champs are coming hard at them | Wallaroos 21-12
31′ WALLAROOS YELLOW CARD! Siokapesi Palu sees the cheese for a wayward high shot on Leah Bartlett and the Scots will have a one-woman advantage through to oranges.
29′ SCOTLAND TRY! The contest sparks back to life with Scotland’s first try and it’s a good one too from loosehead prop Leah Bartlett. Solid build-up from the defending champs sees the forwards roll their sleeves up and pick-drive their way over the chalk. Conversion is money and the margin is 14 – game on | Wallaroos 21-7
23′ WALLAROOS TRY! My goodness, it’s a try-fest in Cape Town! Cecilia Smith gets the five-pointer but that’s a real team try from the Wallaroos. All sparked from that aforementioned scrum with Tuinakauvadra, Morgan and Stewart combining for the initial break before Moleka dropped a pin-point grubber for Smith to snaffle over the chalk. Yet another conversion attempt sails over and Australia lead by 21 | Wallaroos 21-0
20′ Momentum now well and truly with the Wallaroos – Moleka’s naughty little in-field kick caught the Scots off-guard and a back-field fumble has Australia with a mid-field attacking scrum 35m out.
18′ WALLAROOS TRY! You guessed it – Maya Stewart scores another try in 2024! A sparkling counterattack from inside Australia’s half ends in Stewart scorching the right wing once more. It’s another assist to G-Fred but Stewart’s fend to ice that try was something special and Moleka’s conversion is the cherry on top | Wallaroos 14-0
12′ WALLAROOS TRY! Desiree Miller crosses against the run of play and it’s Australia with the first score! It all started with back-to-back Scottish ruck infringements and this Wallaroos side loves to play with advantage. Moleka found space wide for Friedrichs, who stepped inside her defender and created a 2-1 for the looping Maya Stewart, who fed Miller down the left wing and over for the meat pie. Moleka’s wide conversion attempt sails over and it’s a seven-point lead | Wallaroos 7-0
9′ Scottish errors keeping the Wallaroos alive early doors. Another 5+ phase build up from the Scots came to naught via another knock on but they’re looking dangerous and the Wallaroos haven’t had a lick of possession outside their own 22m yet!
6′ Big win for the Scots as Franchesa McGhie pilfers an ill-advised run from Australia’s backline in their own red-zone. Scotland back on the attack with a lineout from 12m out now but a numbers mishap gives Australia another life – half-arm and an exit.
3′ Early territorial win for the Scots as Moleka’s exit from a well-worked kick play comes off the side of her boot. Scotland looking dangerous on the attack inside Australia’s 22m but a little knock-on saves the Wallaroos early.
1′ Here we go! Australia will kick off running left to right on your screens at home and the WXV2 decider is underway via Faitala’s Moleka’s boot.
PRE-GAME: A very good evening/morning to those joining us on our live coverage of Australia’s WXV2 decider against Scotland!
It’s been a wee while since these teams went toe-to-toe in a 14-12 thriller during the 2022 RWC and Wallaroos fans will be hoping for yet another win to wrap up the WXV2 title.
If you’re with us – welcome – and prepare yourselves, this one’s going to be a belter.
Australia’s wins over Wales and South Africa were top-tier but Scotland won’t be easybeats.
In fact, the defending WXV2 champions should arguably be favourites heading into this one off the back of a 19-0 shoutout of Italy and last week’s thrilling 19-13 win over Japan.
But that’s all elementary now – bring on kickoff and thanks for your company.
WALLAROOS v SCOTLAND TEAMS
WALLAROOS (15-1): Catilyn Halse, Maya Stewart, Georgina Friedrichs, Cecilia Smith, Desiree Miller, Faitala Moleka, Layne Morgan, Tabua Tuinakauvadra, Ashley Marsters, Siokapesi Palu, Michaela Leonard (c), Kaitlan Leaney, Eva Karpani, Tania Naden, Bridle O’Gorman
Replacements: Tiarna Molloy, Sally Fuesaina, Alapeta Ngauamo, Atasi Lafai, Lucy Dinnen, Samantha Wood, Trilleen Pomare, Lori Cramer
SCOTLAND (15-1): Chloe Rollie, Coreen Grant, Emma Orr, Lisa Thomson, Francesca McGhie, Helen Nelson, Leia Brebner-Holden, Evie Gallagher, Rachel McLachlan, Rachel Malcolm (c), Sarah Bonar, Eva Donaldson, Elliane Clarke, Lana Skeldon, Leah Bartlett
Replacements: Elis Martin, Anne Young, Christine Belisle, Louise McMillan, Jade Konkel, Caity Mattinson, Meryl Smith, Lucia Scott
Referee : Clara Munarini (Italy)
Assistant Referees : Zoe Naude (South Africa) & Aneka Fick (South Africa)
TMO : Aaron Paterson (New Zealand)
HOW TO WATCH WALLAROOS v SCOTLAND
The Wallaroos’ clash with Scotland will be shown LIVE on Stan Sport.
Coverage will be live and ad-free on Stan Sport, slated to start at 1:50 am (AEDT) with kickoff expected at 2:00 am.
