WEEKLY LIST
Today’s international between Australia and Scotland in Sydney is the 31st time since the first match in 1927 that these two nations have played each other, with Australia winning 21 and Scotland nine. In chronological order, here’s Scotland’s five best performances against the Wallabies.
Murrayfield, February 15, 1958: Scotland 12, Australia 8
In the days when the Wallabies still toured by ship, Scotland completed the Home Nations’ whitewash of the tourists in the middle of a Five Nations championship with tries from George Stevenson and Grant Weatherstone plus two penalties from captain Arthur Smith against two tries and a conversion.
Murrayfield, December 19, 1981: Scotland 24, Australia 15
Scotland’s record score and record points margin over Australia featured a memorable incident when Wallaby captain Tony Shaw decked Bill Cuthbertson off the ball but right in front of referee Roger Quittenton – and wasn’t sent off. On a freezing cold day, Scotland were fired up and the English ref was having none of the rest of Aussie indiscipline, so that Andy Irvine kicked five penalties and converted Jim Renwick’s try for an individual points record against Australia, with John Rutherford’s drop goal adding the other three points.
Ballymore Stadium, Brisbane, July 4, 1982: Australia 7, Scotland 12.
Scotland’s first win over Australia down under was also the third victory in a row over the Wallabies and their first ever win in the Southern Hemisphere. Keith Robertson’s try was the clincher in a tight game that turned on Scotland’s ability to keep the Ella menace at bay.
Murrayfield, November 21, 2009: Scotland 9, Australia 8.
It wasn’t pretty but it was incredibly exciting as Scotland ended 17 years of pain at the hands of the Wallabies with their first win since that 1982 tour. Two Phil Godman penalties and a drop goal from Chris Paterson put the Scots 9-3 up before Ryan Cross scored an injury-time try. Matt Giteau had endured an off-day with the boot and sent the conversion wide. Murrayfield erupted.
Hunter Stadium, Newcastle, NSW, June 5, 2012: Australia 6, Scotland 9.
Again no classic, and it was the boot of Greig Laidlaw, playing at stand-off, which gained all Scotland’s points against a Wallaby XV in transition. It set up Scotland for two further Test wins over Fiji and Samoa.
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THIS WEEK’S EVENTS
RUGBY UNION – today: Australia v Scotland After two single point victories over the men in dark blue, Australia will be confident of beating a Scottish side missing its Lions. It’s on Sky Sports at 6am.
RUGBY UNION – today: New Zealand Maoris v British and Irish Lions The ‘fourth test’ of the tour will pit the Lions against a team which is always inspired. Expect a colossal clash up front as Warren Gatland’s men try to earn themselves full test places. It’s on Sky Sports from 8.30am.
GOLF – today and tomorrow: The US Open The latest major is proving to be a toughie at Erin Hills. Hopefully Martin Laird and Russell Knox will have survived the cut, and can Sergio Garcia clinch a second major after his Masters win? Live all day on Sky Sports.
CRICKET – tomorrow: The ICC Championship Final, Pakistan v India Pakistan surprised every English pundit by making the final, but they have been on a run and will give India a great contest. Live on Sky from 10.30am.
RACING - today: Musselburgh.
The East Lothian track staged Britain’s richest race of the day, the £100,000 William Hill Scottish Sprint Cup. It has attracted all the top sprinters and Duke of Firenze is a confident choice. Live on ITV 4 in coverage shared with York.
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