15. Stuart Hogg: 7
A couple of huge punts were valuable for territory, but with Australia rarely kicking long, he was unable to counter-attack.  Superb try saving tackle on Ashley-Cooper.  His other most significant moment came as Drew Mitchell hit him horribly late, a very obvious piece of foul play which went unpunished by the often over-officious Craig Joubert.

14. Sean Maitland: 6
Another major controversy as he was yellow carded early in the second half for a deliberate knock on.  It was debatable whether it was even a penalty.  Otherwise a committed performance in defence, with little time on the ball in attack.

13. Mark Bennett: 7
Looked a real threat with the ball in hand, and read  Australia’s ill-considered and hopelessly executed exit strategy with ease for his interception try.

12. Peter Horne: 8
Before the game you wondered whether Scotland would have enough bulk in midfield to stop the Australians on the gain line.  Horne’s superb tackling technique kept it intact, and his try was an example of the intelligent thinking that colours much of his play. Excellent at the breakdown as well.

11. Tommy Seymour: 6.5
For such a reliable, positive, and aggressive defender, the missed tackle on Kuridrani, leading directly to the first try, was a poor mistake.  Made up for it with a flying catch as Foley haplessly flapped, a theme that continued whenever the flyhalf was sent to defend on the wing.  Support play and finish for his try completed the redemption.

10. Finn Russell: 6
Mixed the game up nicely in the first half, but his kick off receipt in the second half put Scotland under horrendous pressure.  When Scotland play so much off nine, he struggles to impose himself.

9.  Greig Laidlaw: 8.5
On the downside, his box kicks simply did not have the length required to ease the pressure.  There was often a real argument for smashing it as long as possible.  On the upside, he absolutely excels in knock-out rugby.  As in Edinburgh’s Heineken Cup run in 2012, he knows exactly how to keep his side in a game until the 80^th minute.  Goal-kicking was nearly flawless.

1. Alasdair Dickinson: 8
Along with Ford and Nel, he is part of what is now a very effective Scottish scrum.  Sio and Kepu were talked up before the game but were embarrassed in the opening forty.  His physicality in defence was much needed.

2. Ross Ford: 7
The line-out wasn’t quite as solid after he departed, and in general his set piece contribution was part of the platform that allowed Scotland to get back into the game after a nervy start.

3. WP Nel: 9
The difference he makes to this Scottish scrum is remarkable.  He plundered the Australians for penalties in the first half, and Scott Sio departed, forlorn, in the second half.  In the loose, his low centre of gravity gave Scotland close quarters dynamism.

4. Richie Gray: 7
Worked brilliantly in the loose in tandem with his little brother, and ended as Scotland’s third top tackler.

5. Jonny Gray: 8
It was a great benefit that he started.  The Australians despised his physical carrying in the first half.  Must be close to setting a record for average tackles per game.  He has the lead the chart after every game he has started in this tournament, and did the same in the Six Nations.

6. Blair Cowan: 7.5
Second in the tackle count, and more than matched Scott Fardy.  Departure for Strauss meant slightly slower ruck ball, but more carrying.

7.  John Hardie: 7.5
Less conspicuous than he has been recently, but the tactic of playing two sevens worked well and may well be persisted with.  Managed to slow the ball down to greater effect in the second half.

8. David Denton: 9
Probably his best performance for Scotland since his debut in 2012.  A huge number of carries, leading the game in terms of metres made, with the Australians powerless to stop him one on one.  Deft offloads added subtlety.  He was strong at the back of a dominant scrum, and even as it weakened in the second half, he controlled well from the base.

Replacements: 6.5
Neither Sean Lamont nor Richie Vernon had much opportunity to make an impact.  Josh Strauss’s entrance gave Scotland more of a carrying game, and he looked dangerous as they attacked the Australian line in the last 20.  Jon Welsh and Gordon Reid achieved parity, if not dominance, after coming on in the front row.

By Charlie King (@CharlescpKing)

Photo by: Patrick Khachfe / Onside Images