Wallaroos come from behind to sweep Scotland and farewell two veterans

Australia's women came back from behind to beat Scotland 38-31 in Canberra on Friday, completing a three-match sweep of the series. It was a hard-fought finish, and it was also a farewell for two long-serving players.

The Wallaroos started strongly and led 14-0 early. Scotland then scored three tries in a row and led 17-14 at half-time. Australia reacted in the second half, scoring three tries of their own to take control. The Guardian reported that the win came after the earlier victories over Scotland in Sydney and Edinburgh.

Discipline was a big theme. Australia picked up four yellow cards. A yellow card means ten minutes off the field, and it can be the start of trouble for a team that is already short of players. Fly-half Waiaria Ellis was sin-binned late in the first half for slowing down a Scottish attack. Prop Eva Karpani was carded for a high shot in her 50th-cap match. Scotland also had two players sent to the sin bin.

The biggest moment came with the Wallaroos in front. Captain Siokapesi Palu scored a long-range try to put Australia 38-24 ahead. Soon after, centre Cecilia Smith received her second yellow card for head-to-head contact. Two yellows in one match bring a red card, so Smith was sent off for the rest of the game. Rugby Australia reported the card was for that contact.

It was not how Smith wanted to end her career. She was retiring, and her 34-Test career finished with a red card. Even so, she received a standing ovation from the crowd as she left the field. Smith's exit was one of two farewells on the day.

Emily Chancellor also played her final Test. She debuted for the Wallaroos in 2018, captained the side, and was part of two World Cup squads. Her 42nd and last cap was a landmark for a player who had given so much to the team.

Off the field, there was another headline. Wallaroos centre Georgina Friedrichs accused an opponent of biting her. Officials looked into the claim and found no evidence, and no bite marks were found on her forearm.

The result also points to what comes next. The Wallaroos will become a full-time operation next year, under new coach Sione Fukofuka. Fukofuka previously coached Scotland, so the teams will know each other well. For now, though, the focus is on a series win and the players who helped build the team's history.

Scottish Rugby published its own match report titled "Match Report: Australia 38-31 Scotland". For newcomers, the scoreline tells the story: a team that trailed at the break found a way to win in front of its own supporters.