Scotland earned a hard-fought win over Australia in a Nations Championship that never scaled the heights.
In a scrappy game at Murrayfield, there were first-half tries for Matt Fagerson and Jack Dempsey, while Harry Potter scored for the visitors.
After Finn Russell‘s late penalty, Max Jorgensen’s 80th-minute try gave Australia a glimmer of hope, but Scotland held on.
After a win that lifts Scotland above Wales and into fourth place in the Northern Hemisphere table, Graeme Macpherson assesses the individual performances.
Matt Fagerson puts Scotland ahead with an early try before turning in a steady performance
Jack Dempsey looked more like his old self with a try-scoring display at Murrayfield
Stand-in captain Rory Darge holds aloft the Hopetoun Cup after leading from the front
Blair Kinghorn – 6.5
Showed glimpses of his best with a couple of big carries and pinpoint kicks. 6.5
Kyle Steyn – 6
Unlucky not to pull off a brilliant first-half assist. Always willing but didn’t see a lot of ball. 6
Huw Jones – 5.5
Rarely in the game until one second-half burst as Scotland failed to get their attack firing.
Tom Jordan – 6.5
A late call-up for the injured Sione Tuipulotu and always eager to make his mark.
Darcy Graham – 6.5
Preferred to Jamie Dobie on the wing. Denied first-half try but saved the win with saving tackle at the death.
Finn Russell – 5.5
Not at his best again. Missed a tackle for Australia’s first try and kicking patchy.
Ben White – 6
Set up Matt Fagerson’s try but unable to be more of an influence.
Rory Sutherland – 5.5
Struggled in the scrum and went off early in the second half.
Ewan Ashman – 6.5
No hat-trick heroics this week but tackled well and solid enough throughout.
Zander Fagerson – 5.5
Error-strewn performance from the prop who didn’t have his best day.
Gregor Brown – 6
Performed wholeheartedly as always but another who couldn’t shape things.
Scott Cummings – 5
Stalwart lasted just 25 minutes before going off with an injury.
Matt Fagerson – 6.5
Bagged the opening try of the match in the corner and performed steadily.
Rory Darge – 6.5
Stand-in captain led from the front and made big second-half jackal.
Jack Dempsey – 7
Looked a bit more like his old self with some strong carries. Former Wallaby claimed a try too.
Replacements: Gregor Hiddleston (for Ashman 61), Pierre Schoeman (for Sutherland 45), Will Hurd (for Z Fagerson 61), Max Williamson (for Cummings 24), Josh Bayliss (for Dempsey 50), Ollie Leatherbarrow (for M Fagerson 69), Jamie Dobie (for Steyn 35-41, for White 50), Stafford McDowall (for Jordan 76).
