Wallabies lose to Scotland as horror run stretches to eight

November 16, 2026 — 4:41amThe Wallabies woeful form in the northern hemisphere continued at Murrayfield, with former Aussie Test player Jack Dempsey scoring a vital try to secure a dour 15-12 victory for Scotland.Australia managed to patch up their shocking defence seen in recent games but this time the Wallabies’ attack went missing for most of the game, despite repeated chances in the Scottish half.Ben Donaldson looks dejected following the team’s loss to Scotland.Getty ImagesNot happy: Harry Wilson.AP Photo/Scott HeppellThe defeat was the Wallabies’ eighth straight loss in the northern hemisphete, dating back to 2024.Dempsey scored a try in the 27th minute to establish a 12-5 Scotland lead but a dour contest then unfolded, with no more points until a Finn Russell penalty in the 75th minute. The three points proved decisive.Max Jorgensen finally scored a try for the Wallabies in the 79th minute, setting up a grandstand finish. And the Wallabies immediately created a chance to score again, when a Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii break from inside the 22 set Jorgensen free on the right wing. He passed it to Tom Wright in support but a covering tackle pushed the fullback out, ending the game.Matt Fagerson of Scotland scores a try.AP Photo/Scott HeppellThe late attacking flourish was all the more frustrating for Wallabies fans, who saw a timid and often aimless attack either relying far too much on the contestable turn to a kick, or playing narrowly and struggling to penetrate the Scotland defence.One 18-phase attack in the last quarter summed things up, with no inroads made and a penalty eventually given. Several chances in the second half were also botched with loose passes going to ground and an overall lack of attacking cohesion.The Wallabies had a try to potentially level scores just before halftime stripped, too, when a rolling maul try for Billy Pollard was scratched due to a lineout lifter being in front of the jumper.Tate McDermott is tackled by Darcy Graham.AP Photo/Scott HeppellIt was the same call that cost the Wallabies painfully in the first Bledisloe Cup in Auckland, and showed Australia had not learned their lesson. Pollard was also sin-binned in the second half for a high tackle, making the job even tougher.The Wallabies picked up a bonus point for finishing with seven points, leaving them in fourth spot behind Argentina in third on the southern hemisphere’s ladder in the Nations Championship.But it barely matters. The Wallabies play a pumped-up Wales next week in Cardiff, who are at the opposite end of the emotional spectrum after beating New Zealand.After a fourth straight defeat, the swagger seen from the Wallabies in their July matches has well and truly evaporated, and it’s not clear how coach Les Kiss can turn it around.Scotland led 12-5 after an opening half in which the Wallabies’ defence improved but their execution still lacked for polish. Like England did a week earlier, the hosts pinned Australia in their quarter early via Finn Russell’s boot, and turned down a penalty in front to kick for the corner.The Wallabies held off the maul but left Matt Fagerson unmarked on the right touchline for an easy try from ensuing phase play in the 8th minute.The visitor’s re-start was the first they had managed to get into Scotland’s half in the opening 10 minutes, and some nice attack saw Harry Potter strike back almost straight away.A sweeping play saw Carter Gordon bite into the line and create an overlap, and Potter brushed through a last ditch tackle from Darcy Graham to score in the 11th minute.A game of kick-tennis then ensued to try to establish territorial advantage, and the Wallabies’ defence also showed itself to be far more aggressive and connected.Russell almost conjured a second try via a grubber into the same corner, and with Gordon trying to shepherd the ball out, Kyle Steyn kneed it forward for Graham to touch down in the 23rd minute.It was disallowed, however, when referee James Doleman ruled Steyn had stepped out and the ball had crossed the plane of touch.Scotland got a second try to former Wallaby Dempsey a few minutes later, however, when they gained access to the corner via a penalty, and the no.8 burrowed over close to the line.Australia doggedly continued the kicking game, and at one point Ryan Lonergan wasted good territory with a ropey drop goal attempt.But they finally got a good chance to score in the 34th minute when they won a penalty, and rolled in a try in the corner. But Doleman ruled the lifter had been in front of the jumper at the lineout maul, and scratched it.It was the same call used to penalise Australia in a crucial call in the Bledisloe Cup in Auckland, and showed the Wallabies had not learned their lesson.Australia had a chance for points after the halftime hooter, with an easy penalty goal in front. But despite Kiss signalling for the posts, the ball into the corner and Scotland defended grimly to hold the Wallabies out. A poor cross kick from Gordon went to no-one, and out, ending the half.The third quarter was a poor one from Australia, made all the harder by Billy Pollard getting sin-binned for a high tackle, forcing Angus Bell to throw in the lineouts. The Wallabies’ attack was dire, however, and they repeatedly turned to contestable kicks, even on the Scotland 22.They spent much of their time trying to fight their way out of their half. When they did in the Scottish half, the attack couldn’t make any headway.News, results and expert analysis from the weekend of sport sent every Friday. Sign up for our Sport newsletter.Iain Payten is a senior sports reporter for The Sydney Morning Herald.Connect via X or email.From our partners