Wallabies captain Harry Wilson has admitted that in hindsight Australia should have kicked for goal at the end of the first half against Scotland, saying they “wasted the opportunity” in a 15–12 defeat.
Wilson was speaking alongside head coach Les Kiss at the post-match press conference at Murrayfield, filmed by Scotland Rugby News.
Scotland led 12–5 at the break. Australia had Billy Pollard’s maul try ruled out by the TMO for obstruction before half-time, and the Wallabies lost by three points.
READ MORE: Les Kiss admits ‘turgid’ Scotland loss is one Wallabies must ‘take on the chin’
‘An easy three’
Asked whether he would change his decision to turn down three points at the end of the first half, Wilson said he had already gone over it.
“Yeah, interesting, ’cause I have thought about [it] since [the] game and it was obviously an easy three,” Wilson said. “But I think our first maul, five metres out, we were about to score… it could have been a penalty try.
“…So I had a lot of confidence in [the maul] and I sort of felt the group, we’re a team that likes to score points and we wanted to back ourselves there.
“So hindsight, should have went for goal, ’cause we kicked it out and we wasted the opportunity, but I thought our maul was in a really good spot to roll over there.”
Kiss backs his captain
A reporter had earlier put it to Kiss that Australia did not take their points or use their scrum when they were on top. The head coach said the call belonged to the players.
“It’s a question that we, you know, as coaches are talking about. We’ll have a look at those things, but we will back the boys’ decisions. That’s the main thing,” Kiss said.
“…It’s important that we understand why. There’s many circumstances and reasons why those decisions were [made], and we’ll have a chat again about it and back the boys.
“…Hindsight, hindsight’s the best thing in the world, but, you know, I think the decisions, we have [their] back.”
Scotland took theirs
At the other end, Scotland took the points. With the hosts 12–5 up, Finn Russell kicked a penalty in the 74th minute that put them 10 clear, and Max Jorgensen’s converted try in the 79th minute was not enough for Australia.
Asked about chasing a bonus point, Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend said at his own press conference, filmed by Scotland Rugby News:
“I think the right decision was to go for the three points… We were here to win.”
Australia, who have now lost four Tests in a row, face Wales in Cardiff on Saturday 21 November.
READ MORE: Wallabies player ratings vs Scotland: McReight’s 31 tackles not enough
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