Hogg's joy as Scots edge out Aussies

By Mark Stevens
7/11/21

Captain Stuart Hogg insists the ‘job's only half done’ after Scotland edged out Australia 16-13 in their latest Autumn Nations Series fixture at Murrayfield.

The Exeter Chiefs full-back, along with club-mate Sam Skinner, were part and parcel of a spirited showing from the Scots, who were able to follow up last week’s 60-14 victory over Tonga with another impressive display.

Hamish Watson's well-worked score gave Gregor Townsend's side an interval lead, but Dave Rennie's tourists - on a five-game winning streak - led after Rob Leota's incisive burst.

Debutant Ewan Ashman restored the Scots' advantage with a stunning finish and, although James O'Connor kicked Australia back in front, Finn Russell slotted the decisive penalty.

Post-game, Hogg said: “That was brilliant, I loved it. How good was it to have a full Murrayfield?

"I said to the boys that the job's only half done. We're two games in with two wins, and it's about backing it up next week. The exciting thing is that we can get better both at set-piece and in open play."

That made it consecutive wins for Scotland and sets them up for next Saturday's visit of world champions South Africa.

Head coach Gregor Townsend added: "In the coaching box, we were a bit emotional at the end. It wasn't the best of games, but the resolve the players showed and the impact the bench made was tremendous.

"At half-time we knew we hadn't played our best rugby, but there was a fire about us in that second half which was great to see, and there was an edge to our set-piece."