Brave Wallaroos defy red cards to beat Scotland in Rugby World Cup thriller

Australia’s women’s rugby side have put their World Cup hopes back on track with an Ashley Marsters try in the 73rd minute, securing a thrilling comeback win in their second match of the campaign against Scotland in Whangarei, New Zealand.

After their heartbreaking implosion against New Zealand’s Black Ferns in the opening round, the Wallaroos trailed all game against Scotland only to cross twice in the final 20 minutes of game time to post a crucial first victory of the campaign. Australia’s Eva Karpani, Grace Hamilton and Sharni Williams were standouts in the triumph.

Wallaroos skipper Shannon Parry said it “wasn’t pretty” but lauded her players for the way they stayed in the fight. “It was nerve-wracking. It was a real tough battle against Scotland, they really showed us how to play some footy there today,” Parry told Stan Sport. “I’m immensely proud. We gutted it out all the way to the end - an 80 minute performance - and to come away with that victory, it’s a really good reward.

“We didn’t play as good, as clinical as we wanted to but we’ll take the points. We’re still alive in this tournament, and that’s what matters.”

The Wallaroos’ win consigned the Scots to consecutive last-gasp defeats. Taking part in their first Rugby World Cup in 12 years, Scotland had last week lost a heartbreaker in the opening round, kicked from what might have been a famous comeback victory into a narrow 85th-minute 18-15 defeat by a Keira Bevan’s post-siren penalty.

The Highlanders showed they were chasing revenge when they started with gusto, rocking the Wallaroos by jumping to an early lead when veteran Scottish frontrower Lana Skeldon charged over in the ninth minute from the maul for the opening five-pointer, 11 years after making