Scotland attack coach backs squad to end seven-game losing run against Australia in Sydney

Scotland attack coach Tom Luke has backed his side to correct the errors that cost them against Australia last month, ahead of Saturday’s WXV Global Series Test in Sydney — the first of two matches against the Wallaroos on their home soil.

Scotland led 10-5 at half-time in the September 26 meeting at Hive Stadium in Edinburgh before Australia dominated the second period to win 30-10, extending Scotland’s losing run to seven consecutive Tests across all competitions. Their last victory came against Wales in Cardiff during the Guinness Women’s Six Nations in April.

“We certainly have enough to trouble Australia,” Luke said. “I think we showed that in patches, particularly in the first half and at the beginning of the second half against them last time. It’s just about stringing those moments together as often as we can and then capitalising on that pressure and turning it into points a little bit sooner.”

Luke was candid about the frustration of letting a strong position slip in Edinburgh. “After around 45 minutes of the game we felt like we had really good control, but we probably hadn’t scored as often as we would have liked in the first half to build a big lead before turning around into a strong wind. At the end, the overriding emotion was one of disappointment because we felt like a lot of the problems Australia caused us in the second half were down to our own doing.”

Despite three defeats in Edinburgh against Canada, New Zealand and Australia during the WXV Global Series, Luke pointed to encouraging signs in attack. “There have been some really bright moments in attack in the three Tests we have already played in the WXV albeit against really difficult opposition,” he said. “For us to compete for 80 minutes this coming weekend, we have to be a little bit more consistent at the breakdown and in the tackle area. If we can get a little bit more competitive in those kinds of areas then we’ll be able to string more phases together, build more pressure, win more penalties for the attack and start moving the game down the field.”

Luke joined Scotland on a short-term contract after Sione Fukofuka hastily departed as head coach in August. Interim head coach Dave Butcher and Scottish Rugby’s head of performance and pathways Andy Rhys Jones moved quickly to bring in Luke alongside assistants Chris Laidlaw and Robbie Fergusson for the WXV Global Series period. Luke will return to his role as backs and attack coach at Bristol Bears once the assignment concludes.