Rugby, Australian Football: Scotland's season ends in defeat

Scotland's season ended in defeat on Saturday as Australia, inspired by two more tries from Lote Tuqiri, completed a 2-0 series sweep over Matt Williams' developing side with a 34-13 victory.

Tuqiri scored twice in the Wallabies' 35-15 victory in Melbourne last Sunday and was again the thorn in Scotland's side as Australia ran in five scores in all.

Scotland turned in another proud display and a first Test try from scrum-half Chris Cusiter brought them to within seven points at the interval after quickfire scores from Wendell Sailor and Tuqiri had opened Australia a 17-3 lead.

The tourists often lacked the courage of their convictions in attack and the more clinical execution from the Wallabies proved telling.

Tuqiri scored his second after the interval, followed by a third Test try for Morgan Turinui while Joe Roff crossed with the final move of the match to finish with 14 points.

Scotland had not beaten Australia since Andy Irvine's side invaded Ballymore in 1982 and in the 12 matches since they had conceded fewer than 30 points on only two occasions.

The local bookmakers were giving Williams' side little chance of an improved performance today, quoting odds of an Australia victory - on their return to Sydney for the first time since the World Cup final - at 50-1 on.

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