Australia-born Sione Tuipulotu sets Scotland on way to victory over Wallabies

Sione Tuipulotu helped halt Australia’s autumn resurgence as the Scotland captain scored the opening try in an impressive 27-13 triumph over the nation of his birth.

The 27-year-old Glasgow centre, who left his homeland frustrated at a lack of opportunities in 2018, was the only player on either side to cross the whitewash in the first half.

It was an extra special moment for Tuipulotu as his 77-year-old Greenock-born grandmother Jacqueline Thomson – the woman by whom he is eligible for Scotland – was in the stand watching him play for his adopted nation for the first time.

There were further tries after the break from Duhan van der Merwe, who moved back to the top of Scotland’s all-time scoring charts on 30, replacement Josh Bayliss and Finn Russell.

A late score from Wallabies debutant Harry Potter reduced the deficit to 14 points, but Scotland were already cruising towards a third win in four Tests this autumn.

Australia, buoyed by victories over England and Wales this month, started with intent and after being camped in the Scottish half in the early exchanges, they got the scoreboard ticking in the 11th minute when Noah Lolesio sent a close-range penalty between the posts.

Having escaped with the concession of just three points from the Wallabies’ pressure, Scotland started to build their way into the game and eventually took full control.

They worked themselves a good opportunity in the 15th minute, only for Russell’s delicate kick over the top to bounce out dead before Darcy Graham was able to get on the end of it.

Russell looked set to get his side off the mark in the 20th minute with a penalty from a central position 30 metres out but, normally so reliable from the tee, the stand-off’s kick came back off the