Wallabies cruise to victory

Australia concluded their disappointing tour of the northern hemisphere by coming from behind to defeat Scotland 44-15 and become the first team to overcome the hosts at Murrayfield in 2006.

John Connolly's side, defeated by Ireland last Sunday and generally unimpressive against Wales and Italy, ran in five tries as they won with relative ease. Frank Hadden's men had got off to the perfect start when Simon Webster crossed for an early try and, with five points from Chris Paterson's boot, Scotland claimed an encouraging 10-0 lead.

But a brace of tries for Mark Gerrard and one each for Stephen Larkham, Stephen Moore and Chris Latham saw the Wallabies extend their winning run over Scotland, who last defeated Australia in 1982 in Brisbane.

Sean Lamont added another try for the home side but it was not enough to preserve Scotland's proud unbeaten record in Edinburgh this year and send Hadden's side into the 2007 Six Nations on the back of a victory over a southern hemisphere giant.

Scotland began in lively fashion when - after Australia failed to defuse Dan Parks' fine up and under - Webster left three Wallabies in his wake to cross for his seventh international try. Paterson converted to move Scotland into a 10-0 lead but Webster was forced to leave the field a minute later through an injury picked up in winning the penalty.

Hugo Southwell replaced his Edinburgh team-mate on the wing before Stirling Mortlock reduced the arrears with a simple penalty after 12 minutes. The Wallabies were now dominating the contact areas and man of the match Larkham scored when he brushed off the challenge of Marcus Di Rollo. Mortlock converted to level the scores.

The former world champions took a 16-10 lead into the break and that was soon out to a more comfortable 11 points five minutes after the re-start when Gerrard dived over in the corner after Australia had enjoyed multiple phases of possession.

Mortlock converted to leave Scotland trailing 23-10 and moments later Hadden freshened up a front row which had been labouring when he replaced Gavin Kerr with Allan Jacobsen. Brumbies winger Gerrard grabbed his second try of the afternoon in the 51st minute after a classic break from Larkham. Mortlock converted to put the game firmly in Australian hands.

A glimmer of hope was provided three minutes later, though, when a slip from star winger Lote Tuqiri allowed Sean Lamont to amble over for his sixth international try and reduce the deficit to 30-15 with 20 minutes remaining.

Another boost for the home side was provided in the 66th minute when Wallabies lock Alister Campbell was sin-binned for coming in at the side. However, a well-organised Wallabies defence held out before two late tries from Larkham and Latham.