Rugby Union: Telfer looks to the future

Australia 33 Scotland 11

BEATEN AND battered, Scotland's rugby union squad flew out of Australia on Sunday heralding the start of a new era.

The Scots completed their tour of Australia with a 33-11 defeat in the second Test in Brisbane on Saturday, having lost last week's first Test 45-3.

Their coach, Jim Telfer, conceded that the Scots, who have just one win from their last 10 tests, were outgunned by Australia but predicted a bright future for his team. "This wasn't the end of the tour it was the beginning of something new. I think we have learnt a lot from this tour and our players will come away better than when they started it" he said

"The key for us now is to continue our improvement. There were enough positive signs to show that we can do that."

Scotland's performance in the second Test was a marked improvement on their showing in the first match when they suffered a record defeat.

They held the Australians to just four touchdowns and also broke through to score one themselves.

Australia: Tries Grey, Larkham, Ofahengaue, Tune. Conversions Burke 2. Penalties Burke 3. Scotland: Tries Hodge. Penalties Lee 2.

Australia: Burke, Tune, Herbert, Horan, Roff, Larkham, Gregan, Harry, Kearns, Blades, Bowman, Eales, Cockbain, Kefu, Wilson. Replacements: Ofahengaue for Kefu (40 mins), Crowley for Blades (59 mins), Little for Tune (60 mins), Finegan for Cockbain (72 mins), Grey for Horan (75 mins).

Scotland: Metcalfe, Lee, C Murray, Shepherd, Longstaff, Townsend, Redpath, Hilton, McKenzie, Proudfoot, S Murray, Grimes, Wainwright, Simpson, Peters. Replacements: Joiner for Murray (58 mins), McIlwham for Hilton (60 mins) Hodge for Metcalfe (65 mins), Campbell for Grimes (69 mins), Roxburgh for Simpson (76 mins).

Referee: B Campsall (England).