Match Report: Australia 56-12 Scotland
17 Oct 2026Scotland got off to a promising start against Australia but were ultimately beaten 56-12 by a powerful Wallaroos side in the first Test of their two-match tour.
Scotland scored the opening try in the opening 5 minutes, through Katie Buchanan, but Australia’s dominant pack and dangerous backline proved difficult to contain, with the home side scoring five tries in the first half alone.
Captain Rachel Malcolm led from the front throughout and Scotland showed signs of improvement after the break. However, Australia’s strength at the scrum and driving maul, combined with Scottish penalties and handling errors, made it a difficult afternoon for the visitors, as they conceded 8 tries.
Scotland made a flying start, with the pack putting together some strong carries in the opening minutes. Captain Rachel Malcolm led the charge before Katie Buchanan stepped off her left foot to score in the fourth minute. It was an excellent start for Buchanan, who was making her first start in a Scotland jersey. (0-5, 4 mins)
Australia began to find their feet and gain territory, with captain Siokapesi Palu Sekona making powerful carries to create space for the home side’s dangerous back three.
Scotland struggled to contain the Wallaroos at the breakdown and conceded a series of penalties, allowing Australia to move into the visitors’ 22. A driving lineout maul set up a series of close-range carries, with hooker Brittany Merlo crossing for the first Australian try. Samantha Wood added the conversion. (7-5, 15 mins)
Scotland continued to show attacking intent and tight-head prop Elianna Clarke made an excellent break into the Australian 22. However, discipline remained a problem, with six penalties conceded in the opening 20 minutes.
Australia made the most of their opportunities, with winger Maya Stewart finishing off a series of pick-and-go carries from the pack. Wood converted to extend the lead. (14-5, 20 mins)
Scotland enjoyed a spell of possession as the half progressed, with Lana Skeldon and vice-captain Helen Nelson helping to put the Wallaroos under pressure. But another penalty proved costly and centre Meryl Smith was shown a yellow card in the 28th minute.
Australia took advantage of their numerical superiority, using a dominant scrum to set up full-back Desiree Miller for the third try. Wood added the extras. (21-5, 29 mins)
The Wallaroos continued to find space out wide and winger Amelia Whitaker broke from halfway to score in the 35th minute, her first try in the gold jersey. Wood’s conversion extended the lead to 28-5. (35 mins)
Australia had time for one more try before the break, with stand-off Waiaria Ellis finishing a flowing attack that started on halfway. Wood converted to give the home side a commanding lead at half-time. (35-5, 38 mins)
Half-time: Australia 35 – 5 Scotland
Scotland positive strong start was to no avail, as they were punished for giving away too many penalties and losing possession in contact. Australia’s forward dominance and ability to turn pressure into points left the visitors with plenty to do after the break.
Scotland needed a strong start to the second half, but Australia struck first once again. A powerful scrum gave the Wallaroos a platform to attack and Miller crossed for her second try of the match. Wood converted to take Australia beyond 40 points. (42-5, 42 mins)
Scotland responded well. A lineout maul and a series of pick-and-go carries brought the visitors close to the line, where Malcolm finished from short range. Nelson added the conversion to get Scotland back on the scoreboard. (42-12, 45 mins)
Three changes followed in the 47th minute, including the introduction of Chloe Rollie for her 90th Scotland cap, making her the third Scottish woman to reach the milestone.
The Wallaroos continued to put Scotland’s scrum and lineout under pressure, but the visitors began to find more space in attack as the half progressed. Malcolm, Rachel McLachlan and Evie Gallagher were increasingly influential in the back row as Scotland looked to make better use of possession.
Scotland worked their way into the Australian 22, with a kick from Meryl Smith helping to create an attacking opportunity. However, an interception turned the attack into a home counter-attack, with Whitaker racing around 70 metres to score her second try of the match. Wood converted to make it 49-12. (65 mins)
Scotland continued to battle and their discipline improved as the game wore on. However, more handling errors and turnovers made it difficult to build sustained pressure, allowing Australia to control much of the territory in the closing stages.
Substitute Eva Donaldson was shown a yellow card following head-on-head contact with two minutes remaining, before Australia added their eighth and final try in the 78th minute. Substitute prop Eva Karpani finished off another driving lineout maul, with Wood converting to complete the scoring. (56-12, 78 mins).
Full-time: Australia 56 – 12 Scotland
Australia: Desiree Miller, Maya Stewart, Georgina Friedrichs, Faitala Moleka, Amelia Whitaker, Waiaria Ellis, Samantha Wood, Pia Tapsell, Piper Duck, Siokapesi Palu Sekona (Captain), Michaela Leonard, Kaitlan Leaney, Faliki Pohiva, Brittany Merlo, Brianna Hoy
Replacements: Tania Naden, Allana Sikimeti, Eva Karpani, Jemma Bemrose, Emily Chancellor, Lily Bone, Piper Simons, Celcilia Smith
Scotland: Hannah Ramsay (Edinburgh Rugby), Rhona Lloyd (Sale Sharks), Evie Wills (Glasgow Warriors), Meryl Smith (Bristol Bears), Katie Buchanan (Exeter Chiefs); Helen Nelson (Trailfinders Women), Leia Brebner-Holden (Edinburgh Rugby); Anne Young (Glasgow Warriors), Lana Skeldon (Bristol Bears), Elliann Clarke (Glasgow Warriors), Holland Bogan (Glasgow Warriors), Hollie Cunningham (Bristol Bears), Rachel Malcolm (Captain) (Trailfinders), Rachel McLachlan (Montpellier), Evie Gallagher (Bristol Bears).
Replacements: Aicha Sutcliffe (Glasgow Warriors) (for Skeldon, 47 mins), Leah Bartlett (Sale Sharks) (for Young, 70 mins), Molly Poolman (Edinburgh Rugby) (for Clarke, 47 mins), Adelle Ferrie (Edinburgh Rugby) (for Cunningham, 65 mins), Eva Donaldson (Sale Sharks) (for McLachlan, 70 mins), Ceitidh Ainsworth (Glasgow Warriors) (for Brebner-Holden, 56 mins), Shona Campbell (Sale Sharks) (for Lloyd, 75 mins), Chloe Rollie (Edinburgh Rugby) (for Wills, 47mins).
Yellow cards: Meryl Smith (29 mins) Eva Donaldson (78 mins)
Referee: Maggie Cogger-Orr (NZR)
Assistant Referees: Chloe Sampson and Erin Doherty (Both NZR)
Television Match Official: Estelle Whaiapu (NZR)
Fair Play Review Officer: Aaron Paterson (NZR)
WXV Global Series Player of the Match: Amelia Whitaker (Australia)
