Scottish rugby luck ran true on both sides on the planet over the weekend.
In Dunedin, the Scottish-themed Highlanders kicked-off the season with an upset win over defending champions Crusaders.
In the Six Nations, Scotland upset England 31-20 to claim the Calcutta Cup in Edinburgh.
The Highlanders relied on tenacity, defence and goal-kicking way to claim a 25-23 victory in front of fans in Dunedin on Friday to open the season.
It came down to a 45 metre penalty goal by first five-eighth Cameron Millar two minutes from full-time to seal the result.
In Sydney after that game, NSW scored a 36-12 win over the Qld Reds and securing a bonus point in the process.
In Lautoka, Fiji, on Saturday, Moana Pasifika claimed a 40-26 win based on their loose forward play.
At Eden Park, hosts Blues went down to neighbours Chiefs 15-19 after they were tied at 5-5 at halftime.
In Perth, the ACT Brumbies proved too good for the Western Force 56-34 with a second half blitz amid 35-degree heat which saw the game played in quarters (water breaks).
Wellington Hurricanes had the bye.
Force coach Simon Cron said afterwards that there is no time to mourn the result after the Force had trailed 14-10 at the main break.
“We have to be better than that,” he told rugby.com.au.
“Look, you don’t get to cry about it, you don’t get to mourn that ‘we played a poor game’.
“We’ve got to review straight away, get the fixes that are most critical for the team.”
SCOTTISH JOY
In Six Nations games on the weekend, Scotland defeated England 31-20 to end the English’s Grand Slam hopes.
Meanwhile, Ireland just managed to beat Italy 20-13 at Dublin while France thumped a woeful Wales 54-12 in Cardiff.
Wales have been beset by domestic woes amid efforts to restructure their game.
WALLABIES TICKETS
Tickets to the Wallabies’ six home games have gone on sale with Perth hosting Tests against Italy and South Africa.
The Test season starts against Ireland in Sydney (July 4), against France in Brisbane and Italy; the tests are part of inaugural global Nations Championship.
Japan will play Australia in Townsville on August 15 before the Wallabies return to Perth to take on South Africa with their final home test in Sydney against New Zealand.
Rugby Australia CEO Phil Waugh told rugby.com.au that 2026 is shaping as “another massive year for the Wallabies” given next year’s home Rugby World Cup.
WA Tourism Minister Reece Whitby says they are “thrilled” to welcome the Wallabies back to Perth this year.
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