Wood's kicking proves decisive as Wallaroos edge Scotland 38-31

Australia beat Scotland 38-31 at GIO Stadium in Canberra on Friday, October 23, closing their WXV Global Series campaign with a narrow victory. Both teams scored five tries, but Samantha Wood's kicking separated them. The Offside Line reported that the Australian scrum-half converted all five of her side's tries and added a penalty, while Helen Nelson kicked three conversions for Scotland.

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The Wallaroos made the stronger start. According to World Rugby's match report, Amelia Whitaker scored first and Maya Stewart followed after receiving a pass from Faitala Moleka. Between those scores, Tania Naden stopped a Scottish attack with a turnover near the Australian line. Wood's conversions helped establish a 14-0 advantage before Scotland began to recover.

Rachel Malcolm opened Scotland's scoring, and the visitors turned sustained pressure into a half-time lead. Australia lost Cecilia Smith and Waiaria Ellis to yellow cards before the interval, allowing Scotland to exploit their numerical advantage. Katie Buchanan's try and Nelson's conversion took the visitors ahead 17-14, reversing the momentum of the opening exchanges.

Australia's response after the break produced tries from Moleka and Piper Duck, with Wood converting both to move the hosts 28-17 ahead. Rhona Lloyd then scored for Scotland, but Australia extended their advantage again. The scoring sequence recorded by The Offside Line shows Wood's penalty followed by captain Siokapesi Palu Sekona's converted try, making it 38-24.

Discipline remained a factor late in the match. World Rugby reported that Eva Karpani, making her 50th Test appearance, received a yellow card for a high tackle. Scotland also lost Lloyd to the sin-bin, while Cecilia Smith received a second yellow in her farewell appearance. Emily Chancellor was also playing her final match for Australia.

Scotland kept the result in doubt until the closing moments. Malcolm scored her second try and Nelson converted to reduce the deficit to seven points. The Offside Line reported that Scotland's final attempt to draw level ended with a breakdown penalty. The defeat was their ninth in succession, although matching Australia's try tally marked a more competitive finish to their campaign.