Scotland U20 19-35 Australia U20: Scots lose 5th place match

Scotland failed to achieve the double over Australia when they lost last night's World Rugby under-20 Championship fifth place semi-final at the AJ Bell stadium in Salford, writes Alan Lorimer.

Scotland's Adam Hastings, right, makes a break against Australia during the Under-20 Rugby World Cup 5th place semi-final. Picture: Nigel French/PA Wire

After an impressive win over the young Wallabies in the pool stage, the Scots could not repeat their heroics and will now face Wales at the Manchester City Academy on Saturday in the 7th/8th place play-off with a 4:30pm kick-off.

The Scots were massively outweighted in the scrum lst night and were never able to exert 
pressure on the Australians in the set piece.

Moreover Scotland had to exert a huge amount of energy defending against physically bigger backs but they will be the first to admit that missing three penalty kicks at goal cost them dearly

Scotland trailed by just two points at the break with the scoreline at 12-14, Australia having opened the scoring when heavyweight prop Tyrel Lomax battered his way over for a try converted by stand-off Mack Mason.

The Scots quickly answered as scrum-half Hugh Fraser used quickly delivered ruck ball to dummy his way over for a try under the posts. Adam Hastings added the extras.

Then a mistake in the ruck by Australia allowed Robbie Nairn to gather the loose ball before sprinting up the right touchline for an unconverted try. Australia atoned, using 
a scrum penalty to launch their heavy forwards at the Scotland line.

The Scots’ defence held firm but when the ball was moved wide centre Sione Tuipuluto used his strength to barge over for his side’s second try, again converted by Mason. Scotland had three chances at goal to retake the lead but two misses by Hastings and one by Fraser proved expensive.

Scotland’s start to the second half promised much and their reward was a try for skipper Scott Cummings and the 
conversion by Fraser.

But, when Scotland again camped in the Australia 22m area, the ball was turned over and in an audacious move, the young Wallabies ran the ball from their own line ending with Tuipoluto scoring his second try, converted by Mason.

With Australia dominating the forward battle, flanker Liam Wright capitalised with his side’s fourth try , yet again converted by Mason. Inevitably a rampant Australia team scored again and this time it was replacement Jordan Jackson-Hope who sped in for another score, and equally inevitably Mason adding the extra points for what, in the end, was an emphatic win.