Scotland secured a hard-fought 27-13 victory over Australia in the Autumn Nations Series, with head coach Gregor Townsend acknowledging both the frustration and the resilience displayed by his side.
Despite a sluggish first half, Scotland managed to pull ahead after captain Sione Tuipulotu's try, which gave them a 7-6 lead at halftime. In the second half, Scotland raised their game, with magnificent tries from Duhan van der Merwe, Josh Bayliss, and Finn Russell sealing the win.
Townsend admitted that his team wasn’t at its best in the opening period but praised their ability to "find a way to win" when it mattered. "There was more in us," he said. "We weren’t as accurate in the first half, but we showed that we can still get a win when we're not playing at our best."
While Townsend was pleased with the result, he was also aware that there were areas for improvement. "If there was a game next week, it would be a tough review. There were moments in the game that I loved, but we need to improve some aspects," he noted.
The second half saw Scotland perform at a higher intensity, especially in defense, where they managed to hold off Australian attacks close to their line. Townsend praised the players’ fitness and composure, which helped them outwork the Wallabies and create opportunities. "Our fitness in the second half was outstanding, and it gave us the platform to create chances," he said.
Looking ahead to the 2025 Six Nations, Townsend expressed confidence that the team has grown through the challenges of the previous year. "The frustrations of the 2024 Six Nations, where we were in every game but only won two, showed we were ready then. I believe those experiences have made us better," he said. "We have to keep growing and improving for the next campaign."
For Tuipulotu, the victory was especially meaningful as he captained his adopted country against Australia, the land of his birth. His grandmother Jacqueline, who had flown in to surprise him, was in the crowd, making the occasion even more special. "It was an amazing moment," Tuipulotu said. "When she handed over the Hopetoun Cup, she said ‘you got ‘em!’ It made the win even more memorable, and the day was all the more worthwhile."
Tuipulotu, who is eligible to play for Scotland through his grandmother, added that the victory was a collective effort. "We knew we needed a win, and we put that pressure on ourselves. We delivered, playing our rugby and scoring some brilliant tries."