Scotland v Australia: Hosts strike right tone in aftermath of win

Following Scotland's remarkable victory against Australia on Sunday, head coach Gregor Townsend and his team remained grounded.

Their response was joyful but not overly ecstatic, as if they had all agreed to keep their excitement in check.

Townsend remarked that the team's effort in their loss to South Africa was an improvement compared to their 14-point win against the Wallabies. Captain Sione Tuipulotu rated the performance a six or seven out of ten.

Other players stepped up to share their thoughts, discussing not only the excitement of the second half but also the missed opportunities, mistakes, and important lessons that must be acknowledged if they want to be seen as genuine contenders in the Six Nations.

There was a time, with a different leader, when a victory like this could have resulted in a wave of excitement and joy. However, unless they were just teasing us, that wasn't the case this time.

It was encouraging to witness Scotland's aggressive play against Australia in a thrilling second half. While it was exciting to see their fierce determination, it wasn't anything new or unexpected; we had seen similar performances in the past.

The fast pace, sudden changes in rhythm, quick passes, and impressive flow of their attack as they raced ahead was characteristic of Townsend's team at its peak. However, there was a bigger picture to consider.

They were at home, going up against a Wallabies team that was worn out and struggled with tackles as their season wrapped up. Meanwhile, their opponents, under Joe Schmidt, were just beginning to find their footing, despite what their victories at Twickenham and Principality might indicate.

Scotland boasted 690 caps among their starting players, compared to Australia's 406. Their squad had an average age of 27.3 years, while Australia’s was younger at 25.7. This gave Scotland a blend of experience and strong connections on the field, which Schmidt describes as that ideal balance. Ultimately, Scotland's strength and skill made a difference, and Tupulotu confidently stated he had always believed they would prevail.

Scotland's rugby season has come to a close. They played thirteen matches, introduced sixteen new players, and secured nine victories overall, or three out of seven if we focus solely on matches against the top teams. What insights did we gain this autumn? How applicable are these lessons for the upcoming Six Nations and Scotland's ongoing quest for a serious championship challenge, which has now stretched into its 26th year?

The ideal captain for the moment: Tuipulotu stands out as Scotland's leader. He combines a sharp tactical mind with a powerful presence and sets high standards without compromise. He gets straight to the point and is an outstanding communicator.

Schmidt didn’t specify how many Scottish players he anticipates for the British and Irish Lions tour in Australia next summer, but Tuipulotu is certain to be included. While Caelan Doris is likely the top choice for captain of Andy Farrell's team, a standout performance in the Six Nations could certainly elevate Tuipulotu into the captaincy discussions.

Most uplifting moment: Townsend likely hit the nail on the head when he mentioned that Scotland's top showing during the autumn was against the formidable South Africa, despite the final score being 32-15 in favor of the South Africans.

Scotland’s toughness when facing some of the toughest players in rugby bodes well for the Six Nations. They managed to compete for 20 minutes with only 14 players, losing that stretch by just one point, 7-6. When the strongest substitutes came on early in the second half, Scotland not only held their ground but also outperformed them for another 20 minutes. While they failed to capitalize on several good opportunities—about five or six in total—not every defense in the Six Nations will be as challenging to overcome.

The Springboks scored a lucky try from a lineout at the beginning of the match. Later on, their strong scrums led to a quick 10 points. However, the final score didn’t reflect the overall game, as Scotland's physical style of play really shone through.

Experiencing it firsthand makes it real: Following the match against Australia, Blair Kinghorn emphasized the significance of many players in the team having achieved victory. He himself was part of a successful Toulouse team last season, and on Sunday, there were nine players from Glasgow Warriors who had previously won the United Rugby Championship.

True confidence in your ability to face challenges and succeed comes from real experience, not just from discussing it. Many individuals have already achieved this, perhaps stepping into a new level of competition. The players from Edinburgh now need to rise to the occasion and match that effort.

The emerging talent: Tom Jordan typically excels in the 10 and 12 positions, but in the match against the Boks, he took on the role of 15 and proved to be a major threat. While he may not take Kinghorn's spot in the Six Nations, having Jordan on the Scotland bench will definitely enhance the team's strength. His ability to play in multiple positions gives Townsend a lot of options.

Include Max Williamson among those notable players. The lock managed to regain possession from Siya Kolisi and had several strong confrontations against the Springboks in an outstanding showing. His performance is even more remarkable considering he was unwell in the days leading up to the match. Unfortunately, an injury ended his autumn season prematurely. At just 22 years old and towering in stature, the upcoming year is set to be significant for Mad Max.

The man back in action: Following a turnover from a Scottish breakdown on Sunday, Jamie Ritchie confronted a Wallaby player. It might have been unnecessary, but it served as a reminder of the fierce intensity that initially brought Ritchie into the spotlight.

After losing the captaincy, Ritchie has experienced a fluctuating presence in both the team and the squad this year. However, he made a strong impression on Sunday. He was tough, relentless, and vocal.

The competition for spots in Scotland's back row has never been more intense. We've got Matt Fagerson, Rory Darge, and Jack Dempsey vying for positions, along with Andy Christie (once he’s back to full health), Ritchie, and Josh Bayliss. Don't forget about Gregor Brown, Luke Crosbie, and Ben Muncaster, either. Euan Ferrie is definitely a player to keep an eye on. And let's not overlook Magnus Bradbury, who seems to have slipped under the radar.

Scotland's lineout must adopt a tougher approach. The statistics indicate that they lost 11 lineouts over their four games but managed to force the opposition to lose 10 as well. In the match against South Africa, they lost two lineouts while the Springboks lost three, which is a commendable performance considering how strong South Africa's lineout is.

It's less about how many lineouts Scotland loses and more about the locations where they occur. They need to sharpen their performance. In that frantic second half against the Springboks, when the visitors were really on the back foot, Scotland had a crucial five-meter lineout that could have turned the game. Unfortunately, they failed to capitalize on it. That was a significant chance wasted.

Their smart recognition of Australia’s weaknesses earned them a lineout score on Sunday, marking a positive development.

Reasons for optimism: Inconsistency has plagued Scotland for the past 25 years. While only the most naive would label them serious contenders for 2025, it’s also unwise to completely dismiss them. They possess significant talent that cannot be ignored.

In 2024, they have expanded their roster significantly and strengthened both their bench and reserves. While this is a positive development, we've experienced similar situations in the past. We find ourselves in a tricky position, caught between pessimism and hope. Which path should we take?

Zander Fagerson has strong credentials for player of the year, especially considering the heavy load he had to bear with limited support. However, there’s a silver lining. Will Hurd now seems to be a promising talent, and Elliot Millar-Mills, despite his reputation as a seasoned player, has consistently delivered great performances.

By labeling the performance against the Wallabies as satisfactory but not exceptional, Tuipulotu hit the nail on the head. In every way, he is the leader that Scotland requires at this moment.