Match Report – Australia Ladies 31 – 22 Scotland Ladies

Each Australia and Scotland went into their closing match with two wins in two below their belt; second-half fightback from defending champions is undone as they finish recreation with 13 gamers, the Wallaroos popping out on high to take the 2024 WXV2 title

Scotland’s defence of their WXV2 title led to heartbreak after a 31-22 defeat to Australia in a winner-takes-all showdown in Cape City.

Either side went into their closing match on the Athlone Stadium with two wins below their belt, however Scotland ended the sport with 13 gamers as Australia got here out on high.

Australia raced right into a 21-0 lead within the first 23 minutes with tries from Desiree Miller, Maya Stewart and Cecilia Smith, all transformed by fly-half Faitala Moleka.

Scotland hit again after Australia centre Siokapesi Palu was given a yellow card for a excessive sort out and tries from prop Leah Bartlett and full-back Chloe Rollie – the previous’s transformed by Helen Nelson – helped scale back the deficit to 21-12 on the break.

The hole was then minimize to 21-17 early within the second interval when Scotland prop Anne Younger burrowed over for an unconverted attempt.

However Scotland’s momentum was checked by centre Emma Orr’s yellow card for a excessive sort out, later upgraded to a purple, earlier than wing Francesca McGhee’s attempt put them 22-21 forward with 10 minutes left.

However after McGhee was proven a yellow card for a deliberate knock-on, Australia regained the lead by means of Moleka’s 74th-minute penalty and the Wallaroos sealed victory with Ashley Marsters’ late transformed attempt.

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