Most Popular Sports
All Sports
Show All

Last-gasp Bernard Foley penalty gives Australia victory over Scotland

Alexander Netherton

Updated 18/10/2015 at 17:44 GMT

World Cup Quarter-Final, Twickenham - Australia 35 (Tries: Ashley-Cooper, Mitchell 2, Hooper, Kuridrani. Conversions: Foley 2. Penalties: Foley 2) Scotland 34 (Tries: Horne, Seymour, Bennett. Conversions: Laidlaw 2. Penalties: Laidlaw 5)

Australia's Bernard Foley at the end of the game

Image credit: Reuters

Bernard Foley's dramatic last-minute penalty gave Australia a 35-34 win over Scotland at Twickenham.
Australia took an early lead, and it looked as if the heavy favourites would go on to build from there. However, Scotland hit back with a Greig Laidlaw penalty, and Peter Horner's converted try put Scotland into a surprise lead.
Australia continued to probe the Scottish defence, managing to get a breakthrough with Drew Mitchell, and added another on the stroke of half-time with Michael Hooper. Neither were converted, though, meaning Scotland took a lead into the second half.
After the restart, Sean Maitland was ludicrously given a yellow for a supposedly deliberate knock on, and Mitchell exploited the advantage for another try.
With 20 minutes remaining, Tommy Seymour completed a Scottish break, and Laidlaw's miss left Scotland just a point behind at 25-24.
Tevita Kuridrani then extended Australia's advantage with a try of his own, but Mark Bennett's excellent interception allowed Scotland to convert for a three-point lead, but Foley managed a penalty in the last moments for a famous victory.
picture

Scotland's Richie Vernon and Finn Russell at the end of the game

Image credit: Reuters

KEY MOMENTS

9' - Australia 5-0 Scotland - Try: Adam Ashley-Cooper is free down the right, with space ahead of him for a simple try.
19' - Australia 5-10 Scotland - Conversion: Greig Laidlaw. A simple conversion from in front of the post.
29' - Ireland 10-13 Scotland - Try: Drew Mitchell. Sustained Australian pressure inside the 22. Scotland are holding on so far, but they need to clear soon as Australia keep edging forward. They can't manage it though, and Mitchell is open on the left, and he drives forward down the wing.
40' - Australia 15-16 Scotland - Try: Michael Hooper. Australia try to drive over the line with a ruck from the lineout. Scotland can't stop them despite their efforts, and Michael Hooper grounds it.
42' - YELLOW CARD - There's a knock-on for a Scotland player, and he's cleared on video of doing so deliberately... by my eyes, but not the referee or video judge, who give Maitland a yellow.
picture

Australia's Tevita Kuridrani, Adam Ashley Cooper and Kurtley Beale (R) celebrate after the game

Image credit: Reuters

43' - Australia 20-16 Scotland - Try: Drew Mitchell. Out wide to the unmarked Mitchell, and he puts down in space.
58' - Australia 25-24 Scotland - Try: Tommy Seymour. Scotland break with Russell who is hauled down, but he manages to find Seymour, who stays out of the clutches of three Australians to touch down in the corner.
64' - Australia 30-24 Scotland - Try: Tevita Kuridrani. He forces his way through a crowd after a lineout high up the pitch.
72' - Australia 32-32 Scotland - Try: Mark Bennett. Australia play from right to left, and Bennett is on hand and alert to pluck a pass out of the air, and he puts the ball under the posts.
80' - Australia 35-34 Scotland - Penalty: Bernard Foley. Foley puts Australia back in front with seconds to go

TALKING POINT

Did the referee make a mistake? Craig Joubert should have referred the penalty decision for a TMO, with it unclear who touched the ball for the final offside to grant a penalty. It doesn't mean the wrong decision was reached - it was just irresponsible of the referee not to refer such a vague situation upstairs. Add to this Joubert's iffy decision on the knock-on to give Maitland a yellow, and Scotland were harshly treated.

THE MATCH IN A TWEET

Join 3M+ users on app
Stay up to date with the latest news, results and live sports
Download
Share this article
Related Matches
Advertisement
Advertisement