Final thoughts on the second pool match

Kenny Murray’s side stuck with the Junior Wallabies for much of the match, but couldn’t capitalise on a second half yellow card to Australian Joey Fowler.

The green and gold ran in two late tries to secure their first win of the tournament, leaving Scotland with only a losing bonus point.

The heat, of course, played another huge part in this match, and you could argue Australia dealt with it better and are more accustomed to playing in high temperatures.

Co-captain Freddy’s words to World Rugby were around Scotland giving away too many penalties at inopportune times; Scotland being the better side at times; and looking forward to the South Africa match next week.

The full time score today, Australia 34 – 24 Scotland.

Join us again on Wednesday 9 July at 2:30pm BST for the third and final pool stage match, against South Africa.

Full time: Australia 34 – 24 Scotland

The lineout is lost though and it’s hoofed out by Martens into touch, and the match is brought to a close.

One final push for Scotland

Martens thinks he has secured his hat trick with a brilliant, scything run that stemmed from an intercepted Scotland pass well inside Australian territory.

But the referee has been called over by the TMO to view the screen on halfway, as the ball was initially picked from an offside position.

Coates kicks to the corner for a last flourish, trying to secure a second bonus point.

Last chance saloon for Scotland

Scotland win a jackal penalty from the restart just outside the Australian 22 line. Coates kicks to the corner and they really need to score from this opportunity – there are just three and a half minutes remaining.

Duncan wins the lineout but they’re driven back. The ball is flung wide through the hands, Watson, Coates, and out as far wide as van Wyk – but it’s called back – it was a forward pass from Findlay.

TRY Australia – Guilfoyle

Australia’s clearing kick from the restart goes out on the full, giving Scotland a lineout just outside the Aussie 22.

Douglas is given the ball to hit up the line, but the ball squirts out the back of the ruck and picked up by and Australian forward.

It’s box kicked over the top, all the way downfield for a brilliant 50-22. They win their own lineout and drive over the line for Will Guilfoyle’s first try for Australia. Harvey pulls the conversion attempt. (Australia 34 – 24 Scotland, 74 mins)

Kerr Yule is coming off for Jack Hocking for the final six minutes.

TRY Australia – Baxter

Australia win the scrum and breach into the 22.

Malakye Enasio breaks through again and makes a clever offload to Watters, who gets all the way up to the try line before being dragged down a metre short.

Desperate defence keeps them at bay for now, but it doesn’t last as Finn Baxter crosses over from inches out and the referee blows for a try.

Harvey drags the conversion across the face and the lead remains at five for Australia, with just under 10 minutes remaining. (Australia 29 – 24 Scotland, 71 mins)

Knock on, Aussie chance

Noah Cowan has come on for the dynamic Patterson.

A kicking battle in the midfield comes to an end when Findlay’s pass to Coates in back play is dropped by the latter, giving the Aussies a chance for a set piece scrum, about 30m out from the Scottish line.

TRY Australia – Martens

Coates is found to be hanging on too long when a clearing kick is charged and regathered by Scotland.

Australia now have the chance to attack from inside Scotland’s 22. And another penalty is given, this time for a collapsing maul.

The pressure is mounting against the Scots, with Australia camped on the try line. Another lineout they opt for, and it’s won by the green and gold.

They’re creeping towards the line, and scrum half Martens goes himself. He skips through one tackle and dives over for his second try of the game.

Harvey lines up the conversion and nails it. That levels the scores with about 15 minutes to play, and both sides securing bonus points for tries scored. (Australia 24 – 24 Scotland, 65 mins)

Conversion nailed!

Coates’ conversion attempt is great, for his first kick of the game. Scotland lead by seven with 18 minutes remaining. (Australia 17 – 24 Scotland, 62 mins)

The foul play review has found Fowler will only serve 10 minutes – six and a bit of which remains to be served.

TRY SCOTLAND – Ollie Duncan!

Off the back they go and the phase count rises for Scotland inside 10 metres.

But the ball’s loose and it’s dived on by the Aussies, who win a penalty for Scotland going in from the side, much to Patterson’s bemusement.

The clearing kick sees the lineout won by Scotland! And the attack resumes inside the 22.

Watson breaks through and gets to within 5 metres, he pops it well to Duncan – who already has a try – and he bundles over in the corner!!!

Australia yellow card – Fowler

Clear head contact with the clear out and Australia are down to 14 men. Joey Fowler is the man at fault and he’s the recipient of a yellow card, and on review for a red.

Coates kicks to the corner and Scotland’s opportunity knocks.

Scotland penalty, TMO check

Australia opt to run the ball out, but they are found to be off their feet and are pinged.

We’re also going to go upstairs for a review on a clean out.

Isaac Coates is on for Urwin.

Nearly, nearly for the Scots

Australia clear from the lineout but Scotland return to inside the 22. Phases pile up as the backs get involved, and they get within 10m.

The ball is flung to the left wing now, and Scotland are inching towards the line. But it’s knocked on after about 10 phases! Disappointing end to that promising phase of play there.

Australia will feed the scrum from their 5m line.

Pressure piled on Australia

A brilliant kick from the ruck sees Patterson pile pressure on the home side. He looked up and popped it over the top from the halfway line as the ball bounces into touch just outside of the Australian try line.

Scotland subs

Some changes now for Scotland – Seb Stephen is on for Dylan Cockburn; Joe Roberts head into the back row; and Jamie Stewart is on for Ollie Blyth-Lafferty too.

Penalty won by Scotland, great defence

The scrum goes down and another penalty is given.

In the confusion, it’s taken quickly from the back of the scrum by Tom Robinson, and he darts towards the line – only to be held up by that man Freddy Douglas!

The goal line drop out is good, and the Australian ruck is jackaled by Joe Roberts – brilliant work there. Penalty Scotland.

TMO decision – no try

The decision is relayed to referee Weiner – it is knocked on over the line, so we will go back for the penalty.

They elect for a scrum on the 5m line. Scotland are not out of the woods yet.

TMO check for Australian try

An Australian lineout inside the 22 is won and driven towards the line.

Try scorer Ata runs off the back and is dragged down inside 2 metres. Robinson  goes off the back again, to within inches of the line, before a third phase sees a TMO check called to see whether or not there is an Australian try.

At least there is a penalty for a no arms tackle in the lead up, but is it a fourth Australian try?

Penalties piling up against Scotland

Watson, when returning a kick, is wrapped up by green and gold shirts, and referee Weiner hands the ball to the Aussies, saying he’s been held up and the ball is unplayable.

They win a penalty from the scrum too for Scotland not driving straight.

Scotland sub

Ben White has replaced McKenna in the scrum, and immediately Scotland are given a short hand penalty for Australia not leaving space.

It’s a tap and boot from Urwin, and it’s marked by Harvey.

We’re all tied up

Oli McKenna is receiving some treatment here on his calf.

What a great start to the second stanza for the visitors. What do they have left in the tank for the final half hour?

TRY SCOTLAND! Jed Findlay

Findlay goes over the try line again, and this time it’s given!

A beautifully worked set piece means he will not be disallowed a second debut try! He darted over from about 15 metres out to the left hand corner, and Scotland are right back into this one.

It was a great finish, reaching out over the line from the tackle and he dots down.

Urwin’s conversion is good from the sideline. (Australia 17 – 17 Scotland, 45 mins)

Chance inside the 22

Another Scottish lineout goes astray – this time nicked in the contest. The early advantage Scotland built is gone and they have to rebuild.

Urwin goes for another 50-22 and it’s too hot to handle for try scorer Conway, who knocks on inside the Aussie 22.

Big let off for Australia

The lineout is knocked on by Scotland though, through Moss’ fingers, and Australia get the early reprieve. A big chance cast aside there, unfortunately.

The Aussies win their scrum and clear through Harvey’s raking boot.

We’re back underway!

Urwin gets us back underway here in Viadana. What can Scotland come up with in the next 40 minutes?

It’s nicked in the air, emphatically by van Wyk, who is also taken in the air so it’s a penalty advantage too.

The referee brings play back after a few phases going nowhere and Urwin kicks to the corner – what a start from the visitors!

Half time debrief

Scotland have seen slightly more of the ball in the first half, and they will hold their heads high with that performance. Had a couple of small things come off, they could well be running down the tunnel in front at the break.

Australia’s tackle success is far lower, seeing them slip off about a dozen tackles, compared to Scotland’s 10. Reuben Logan was taken off for a tactical sub early in proceedings, and the heat (as usual in this tournament) is playing a big part.

What will Kenny Murray have for his troops in the half time break? Stick with us as we cover the second half shorltly.

Close of first half play

From a Scotland scrum, Patterson goes on a snipe down the right hand side, and just as he’s breaking the line, he goes to hand off a pass, but knocks it on, as does his Aussie counterpart.

The referee brings play to a close and both sides rush down the tunnel to escape the oppressive heat.

Scotland sub, Aussie escape

Mark Fyffe has come on for Dan Halkon as Aussie escape from their 22 with a scrum penalty. Two minutes remain.

TMO check – Scotland try disallowed

Ferg Watson’s involvement is being checked here, he’s dragged the ball back to himself in the tackle, but in doing so he’s knocked on in the lead up to the score-levelling try.

Referee Weiner chalks that one off, with four minutes until the break. Heartbreaking for young Jed Findlay, who thought he’d scored on debut.

TRY SCOTLAND – Findlay

Under penalty advantage, it goes wide to Watson, who works back inside and gets within 5 metes.

He’s dragged down and they go wide again, this time to Findlay – on debut – who picks it out of the air, and dots down in the corner under pressure from the right winger!

Scotland reduce the lead to two, with a kick to come. Urwin lines up his third conversion attempt – the first two striking each of the uprights – and he nails it! (Australia 17 – 17 Scotland, 35 mins)

Scotland 50-22!

Watson rips the ball from an Aussie in the tackle, allowing for a brilliant, raking, 50-22 thumped downfield by Urwin.

They well and truly caught the Aussies off guard there, and Scotland have a chance to level the scores, six minutes from half time.

TRY Australia – Ata

Clever play from Aussie scrum half there, throwing the ball into a slowly rolling away Scottish defender, earning the penalty.

Harvey kicks to about 10 metres out from the Scottish line, and the drive ensues.

The phases become centralised, and the forwards drive towards the line.

Under penalty advantage, Martens snipes again, going for a second but he’s held back. It’s flicked to the hooker, Lipina Ata, who dives over beside the posts.

Harvey nails this one from close range, and Australia bounce out to a seven point lead. (Australia 17 -10 Scotland, 27 mins)

Water break

Charlie Moss has come on for Reuben Logan while he’s seen to about a head injury assessment (HIA) by the medical staff.

A much needed water break in the interim though.

Flashy first quarter

Another opening 20 minutes with four tries – just like last week’s match against England. Two apiece so far, and all have been well worked.

We’ve been told Logan will remain off due to his HIA.

TRY SCOTLAND!!! Ollie Duncan

Douglas wins a midfield jackal penalty all on his own, just inside the Australian half, and Urwin knocks it to about 15 metres out from the green and gold try line.

A well worked set piece gets them inside 10 metres, and under penalty advantage they go through the hands left all the way to Ollie Duncan, who is all on his own on the left hand wing – and dots down to level the scores!

Urwin’s conversion attempt from the touchline hits the other post this time, and goes away. (Australia 10 – 10 Scotland, 21 mins)

Penalty attempt missed by Australia

An Australian penalty allows the clearing kick and lineout on Scotland’s 22,  after a few phases in middle, Australia are driven back – but deemed too quickly by Lex Weiner, and pings Oli McKenna for offside.

Aussie point to the posts this time, but miss the Harvey penalty attempt – that’s 0 from 3 for those counting. It’s a 22 drop out for Scotland.

TRY Australia – Conway

Just as I’ve said that – Australia pull together a sublime set piece off the back of a lineout near the halfway, ending with Nick Conway going over in the left hand corner.

It went through the hands too quick for the defenders to latch on, and Conway burst away from his opposite number, and from Ferg Watson’s desperate last ditch tackle to score.

Harvey’s conversion from the left hand touchline goes astray. (Australia 10 – 5 Scotland, 16 mins)

Lightning fast start from both sides

Another typically fast-paced start here from both sides. The question looming though, is how long can this last? The heat will be playing a huge part today, as we are about five minutes from the first water break of the game.

TRY SCOTLAND – Freddy Douglas

Australian centre Liam Grover was offside just inside the 22, and Urwin kicks to the corner for an attacking lineout on the 5m line. Big chance here for the Scots to level the scores.

The big drive comes and the referee whistles for a try! Congratulations go to Freddy Douglas, back in the squad for the first time this tournament. A well worked set piece maul there.

Urwin lines up the conversion from the left and strikes the far post, bouncing back. (Australia 5-5 Scotland, 13 mins)

TRY Australia – Martens

A bouncing kick ahead from Aussie right wing Cooper Watters isn’t quite collected by van Wyk inside the Scottish 22, but thankfully Watters can’t regather and knocks on with the try line at his mercy.

The scrum goes down though, and Australia win the penalty. The ball is flicked back to scrum half James Martens, who taps quickly, and with Scotland all offside, he snipes over to open the game’s scoring.

Harvey lines up the conversion from the right hand side but hooks it away. (Australia 5 – 0 Scotland, 9 mins)

Scotland chances

A stabbed kick from Sidney Harvey is collected well by debutant full back Jed Findlay, who clears up for Scotland in back play.

His own clearing kick rebounds off an Australian, and out for a Scottish throw.

Hector Patterson made a nice dummy run off the Scottish-won lineout, but he’s bundled into touch.

Australia penalty

Scotland give away a penalty in the midfield for Logan not rolling away. It’s Australia’s first chance to enter the Scottish half.

It’s been all the way of the Scots so far, but what can the home side work up here?

van Wyk close, but bundled into touch

The Scotland scrum is good, and a break down the right comes from it.

Co-captain Ventisei leads the charge and finds the hands of van Wyk just 10 metres out. He’s man-handled into touch just short of the try line, but it’s promising signs for the visitors.

Nearly a break for the Scots

Scotland’s first break down the right wing was orchestrated by quick play from scrum half Hector Patterson and stand off Matthew Urwin.

A flick pass, aimed for right wing Cameron van Wyk, was nearly intercepted by Australia, but it’s knocked on and we’ll have the game’s first scrum, just inside the Australia 40m line.

And we’re underway!

Advance Australia Fair, and Flower of Scotland belted out – supported by an enthusiastic, but shelter-seeking, crowd.

The green and gold’s fly half Joseph Dillon gets us underway in this sweltering heat. Taken down by Reuben Logan, and Scotland win a penalty straight away for hands in the ruck.

The teams are out, just five minutes away from kick off

The teams have run out, led by co-captains Freddy Douglas and Johnny Ventisei.

Next up, the anthems – and the kick off!

10 minutes to go…

Well, Scotland head coach Kenny Murray has made six changes to the team that took on England last week.

Exeter Chiefs’ Jed Findlay comes in at full-back, making his Scotland U20 debut.

Co-captain Freddy Douglas recovers from injury to come in at openside flanker.

Cameron van Wyk comes in on the right wing, and in doing so will earn a first start.

The other change in the backs sees try scorer off the bench in the loss to England, Hector Patterson, come in to start at scrum-half.

The final two changes are in the forwards, where Oliver McKenna and Dylan Cockburn come in at loosehead prop and lock.

A view from Scotland’s camp

Not a long sleeve in sight – I stand corrected, it’s not 34 degrees. It’s 38 degrees pitchside…

15 minutes out from kick off…

If last week’s match against England was hot, today will equal that.

Viadana’s weather at the moment is a scorching 34 degrees, and it doesn’t look to be letting up until well after the match has finished. No sign of rain clouds either.

We’re in for another battle of attrition, it would seem.

Today’s match officials

Today’s man in the middle is Lex Weiner, of the USA. And the team around him is as follows:

And the home side today, Australia

Here’s how the home side for today lines up – Australia:

15. Sidney Harvey
14. Cooper Watters
13. Liam Grover
12. Malakye Enasio
11. Nick Conway
10. Joseph Dillon
9. James Martens

1. Nathaniel Tiitii
2. Lipina Ata
3. Edwin Langi
4. Joe Mangelsdorf
5. Eamon Doyle (captain)
6. Eli Langi
7. Tom Robinson
8. Beau Morrison

Replacements

16. Will Guilfoyle
17. Finn Baxter
18. Trevor King
19. Oliver Aylmer
20. Toby Brial
21. Hwi Sharples
22. Joey Fowler
23. Xavier Rubens

Here’s your SCOTLAND team!

Catch all the action on RugbyPass TV for free

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The stream has just started, as we look towards the 2:30pm kick off (BST).

Hello and welcome!

Welcome, one and all, to today’s live match centre coverage of Scotland’s men’s Under 20 side, in their second World Rugby U20 Championship pool stage match – against Australia – at Stadio Luigi Zaffanella.

Both Scotland and Australia lost in their opening matches, against England and South Africa respectively, and will be looking at today’s match as an opportunity to lock in third in the pool.

We’ll shortly be bringing you coverage of the match. But first, the teams, match officials, and this week’s build up in Italy.