The Wallaroos finished the year in style with another win over Scotland in a match in which they bidded farewell to Cecilia Smith and Emily Chancellor.
Australia 38-31 Scotland
A gritty yet compelling encounter ended with Australia securing a 38–31 win over Scotland, in what ended up being a bittersweet farewell for Cecilia Smith, who was sent off in the final minutes. It didn't take long for the Wallaroos to get ahead, as Amelia Whitaker crossed the whitewash after a series of quick phases. Samantha Wood claimed the extras in an energising start for the locals.
Scotland came close to drawing level, but Tania Naden nailed a sensational turnover just a few metres from the line to deny the visitors any points. On the next play, the Australians got their second from opposite winger Maya Stewart, who had to rush to the in-goal area after a Faitala Moleka pass.
After a difficult first 15 minutes, Scotland finally had their moment in the sun, managing to score their first try through captain Rachel Malcolm, who dived over from close range. From then on, Scotland felt more comfortable and pushed the hosts, who were on the back foot, conceding several penalties and getting boxed in inside their 22.
With a handful of minutes to the break, Cecilia Smith and Waiaria Ellis were sent to the sin-bin after a high tackle and a cynical foul, and Scotland used the player advantage to take the lead. First, Holland Bogan steered a driving maul to glory, with Katie Buchanan dotting down the third and Helen Nelson added the conversion to give the visitors a 17-14 lead at half-time.
The restart didn't bode well for Scotland, as they lost Chloe Rollie to the sin-bin and conceded a try from Moleka, who ran an astonishing line to ground the ball next to the goalposts, giving Wood an easy conversion. Eva Karpani was brought in a few minutes later, earning her 50th cap for Australia, with the experienced prop helping her side find the whitewash once again.
From a quick lineout, the Wallaroos ran a smart play that unleashed Piper Duck out wide before the flanker dove in the corner. As Wood converted another kick, the locals led 28-17 with half an hour still to go. Scotland looked to be back in contention when Meryl Smith unleashed an overhead pass to set up Rhona Lloyd in the corner, but the Australians swung back again from a try by Siokapesi Palu Sekona and a penalty and conversion from Sammie Wood's tee.
With the Wallaroos went back to 14 after Eva Karpani was yellow-carded for a high tackle, Scotland did all they could to turn the tide, but their attempts were thwarted by a defence that gave up no space inside the 22. In the final six minutes, Scotland were down to 14 players when Rhona Lloyd was sent to the sin bin after a series of penalties. However, the home side collected another sin-bin when Cecilia Smith received her second yellow card, resulting in a red one and reducing Australia to 14 players until the final whistle.
Scotland still managed to squeak out their fifth try through Malcolm, but it wasn't enough to overturn the Wallaroos' lead, who nailed a jackal on the final play to kick out and keep their winning streak going.
Canada xx - xx England
Match report to follow
New Zealand xx - xx France
Match report to follow
Japan xx - xx Wales
Match report to follow
South Africa xx - xx Ireland
Match report to follow
USA xx - xx Italy
Match report to follow
