Live Commentary: Australia 35-34 Scotland - as it happened

Good afternoon! There's just one place left in the semi-finals at the Rugby World Cup, with Australia taking on Scotland at Twickenham. Let's start with a look at the teams.

AUSTRALIA STARTING XV: Beale, Ashley-Cooper, Kuridrani, Giteau, Mitchell, Foley, Genia, Sio, Moore, Kepu, Douglas, Simmons, Fardy, Hoope, McCalman

SCOTLAND STARTING XV: Hogg, Maitland, Bennett, Horne, Seymour, Russell, Laidlaw, Dickinson, Ford, Nel, J Gray, R Gray, Cowan, Hardie, Denton

The big news is in the Scotland lineup, as Jonny Gray and Ross Ford are late additions to the starting lineup. The duo were initially suspended for this match, but Scotland won an appeal only yesterday, allowing Vern Cotter to make the last-minute changed. Fraser Brown and Tim Swinson miss out, dropping to the bench.

Australia are missing a couple of their regular starters through injury. David Pocock and Israel Folau both miss out after picking up injuries in the win over Wales last time out. They do have Michael Hooper back after he served a suspension last weekend, while Kurtley Beale and Ben McCalman replace the injured duo.

If you were following the first of today's two quarter-finals a little earlier, you'll know that the winner of this match will take on Argentina in the semi-finals, with the Pumas having knocked out Ireland earlier this afternoon. If Australia win, it will be the first time that no Northern hemisphere sides have made it through to the last four, with New Zealand and South Africa progressing in the other half of the draw.

Barney Corkhill is following the events at Twickenham for Sports Mole this afternoon. Here are his thoughts ahead of kickoff:

"Australia enter this match as heavy favourites to progress, and it is easy to see why. Before New Zealand's demolition of France, the Wallabies had arguably been the most impressive team at the tournament so far. Michael Cheika said this would be his side's toughest test yet but, on paper, Australia have already played and beaten two better teams.

"Having said that, Scotland do have the weapons to hurt Australia today, and the absence of David Pocock and Israel Folau - arguably the two biggest match-winners in the Aussie squad - gives Vern Cotter's men a glimmer of extra hope. It won't be easy, but stranger things have happened."

Ahead of this match, Australia coach Michael Cheika told reporters: "We've taken a very introverted approach in this tournament. I don't know if that's naive because we're only pretty young as coaches in the international sphere but we've just focused on what we're doing. Obviously we have to do some analysis of the opposition but we've kept it at the basic minimum and focus on what we're doing and try to improve."

Meanwhile, Scotland's Vern Cotter said at his pre-match press conference: "There guys are competitors. That's why they play the game. It's a great challenge for a sportsman to play against one of the best teams, at the moment, in world rugby. So the focus is to go out there and win. That's really the attitude we're taking. It's a massive challenge. Get out there and have a real go at it. Have a good go at one of the best teams in the world."

Scotland finished third at the second ever Rugby World Cup, but have not been past the quarter-finals since the 1991 tournament. They've already improved on their 2011 performance though, having failed to progress from the group last time out. The Scots faced Australia in a quarter-final in 2003, suffering a 33-16 defeat to the eventual finalists.

Australia's record at the Rugby World Cup is rather impressive. The Wallabies have won two of the seven previous editions, finishing as runners-up in 2003 and claiming third place last time out. They've never failed to make it to the quarter-finals, and have only been knocked out at this stage twice.

Here's a look at the view from Barney's seat in Twickenham, where it's still filling up. Expect those green seats to be packed with navy and gold jerseys once kickoff arrives:

We're at Twickenham for the last #RWC2015 QF as #AUS take on #SCO #AUSvSCO Live coverage ➡ http://t.co/518X1p82FV pic.twitter.com/q1ef52vVP6 — Sports Mole (@SportsMole) October 18, 2015

Australia and Scotland have played each other 28 times before, with the two-time world champions winning 19 of the matches. Scotland have had some success against Cheika's side in recent years though, winning two of the last three matches between the two teams.

Matt Giteau and captain Stephen Moore are both picking up their 100th caps for their country today:

Proud of these two #Wallabies and proud to be Australian. Good luck in your 100th Stephen and Matt. #StrongerAsOne pic.twitter.com/w5vOrrzVEa — Wallabies (@Wallabies) October 18, 2015

Drew Mitchell is the leading try scorer in Rugby World Cups for Australia, with his hat-trick in their pool match against Uruguay last month taking him onto 12, just three behind record holders Bryan Habana and Jonah Lomu, who have 15 each.

Barney Corkhill makes a prediction ahead of kickoff:

"There have been a couple of blowouts in these quarter-finals so far, but I can't see either side running out 20-point winners or above today. Having said that, the quality in the Australian side, coupled with the form they are in, is just too hard to ignore. I'm going for a fairly comfortable Wallaby win by 12 points."

Australia do come into this match with a 100% record from the pool phase, beating England to knock the host nation out, while defeating Wales despite being down to 13 men at one point against Warren Gatland's side. Scotland dropped points in Pool B in a defeat to South Africa, but came through a closely-fought contest with Samoa to progress as the runners-up in their pool.

The players are gathering in the tunnel ready to make their way out ready for kickoff. As always, the anthems from both countries will be played ahead of kickoff. Both sides appear to have plenty of supporters in the stadium, so it should be a good atmosphere ahead of kickoff.

The teams are out! It's time for the anthems! #SCOvAUS pic.twitter.com/Q8vbS9Fg2q — Scottish Rugby (@Scotlandteam) October 18, 2015

KICKOFF! Scotland get the match underway.

Australia try to put Scotland under pressure in the early moments of the match, with Stephen Moore taking a lineout, which leaves Kuridrani looking for the try, but he loses the ball, allowing Richie Gray to force the turnover. Sean Maitland tries to bring it forward, but knocks on, giving the Wallabies the first scrum of the match.

Adam Ashley-Cooper gets involved for the first time, trying to slip down the right, before Will Genia looks for a gap in the middle. Foley and Beale keep the ball moving, but Scotland are doing just enough to keep Australia out at the moment.

There's a huge let-off for Scotland as Bernard Foley breaks through after Genia gets the ball out. Rather than trying to dive over himself, the fly-half offloads to Drew Mitchell, but the winger isn't ready for it, giving Scotland the scrum. That looked like an almost certain try for Australia.

Australia are really trying to make their presence felt in the opening spell, getting the ball inside the Scotland 22 for a third time with less than 10 minutes on the clock, but Jonny Gray gets it away.

Australia's early dominance pays off as Tommy Seymour leaves far too much room for Adam Ashley-Cooper, who uses his phenomenal pace to race away down the right sideline for the opening points of the match.

Scotland try to respond almost straight away, with Denton carrying the ball into the Australia 22, before the Gray brothers pass the ball between themselves. Denton gets it back and tries to find a gap down the right, but Australia quickly switch to a defensive mindset and block the run.

Australia think that they've forced a turnover, but referee Craig Joubert isn't happy with how the ball was handled, giving Scotland the penalty, which Laidlaw kicks through with ease to get Scotland on the board.

Barney Corkhill reports from Twickenham:

"That was an ominous 10 minutes for Scotland as Australia put their defence under pretty much relentless pressure. Vern Cotter's side have responded well, however, and are now on the scoreboard thanks to that penalty, which should settle a few nerves."

Scotland are looking dangerous again as Denton makes a move down the left, only to be stopped by Kuridrani. He's able to keep the move alive though, with Laidlaw, Jonny Gray and Blair Cowan all getting involved.

What a response it's been from the Scots! Peter Horne spots his chance, picking the ball up after Ford is tackled short, leaving the centre to dive over for his second international try.

Australia are looking rather rattled, resulting in Bernard Foley dropping a high ball, which results in him and Laidlaw having a bit of a coming together and exchanging some words. The error also gives Scotland a scrum. Cheika is looking a little worried as he watches on from the stands.

Laidlaw makes the most of another Australia slip, booting through his third kick in eight minutes to extend Scotland's lead further.

Barney Corkhill reflects on a good 10 minutes for Scotland:

"This has been very, very impressive from Scotland. I can't have been the only one thinking after the first 10 minutes that my prediction may have been a little kind to them, but since then it has been all Scotland. Australia are rattled, and that was perhaps best summed up by 'The Iceman' Bernard Foley dropping an easy catch moments ago. They have looked unflappable throughout the tournament, but right now they are comfortably second best."

Scotland are still enjoying the better of the possession at the moment, as Kuridrani gives the ball away to Mark Bennett, but he's unable to keep hold of it. Australia haven't had much territory in the last 10 minutes, but they've got a scrum just inside their own half, giving them a chance to halt the Scotland momentum.

Scotland are having to defend again as Australia bear down on the Scottish try line once more. Giteau thinks that he has space down the right, but Bennett is there to bring him down, before Michael Hooper is tackled short to the right of the posts.

Drew Mitchell has his 13th Rugby World Cup try as Scotland get numbers over to the right, leaving space for Kurtley Beale to fling the ball out to the left for the winger to leap over in the corner.

Bernard Foley lines up the conversion, having narrowly missed the first, but it's wide again from the fly-half. His kicking has been excellent throughout the tournament, but he's struggling a bit today.

Scott Sio is penalised for collapsing the scrum. It's a little lucky for Scotland as it looked like he simply slipped, but Greig Laidlaw makes the most of the lucky break, kicking it through for another three points.

Scotland continue to pile forward, with Richie Gray picking up a few metres before Seymour and Bennett get involved, but a penalty lets Australia off. Scotland have looked the more likely on the attack, but they might think that they should have picked up a couple more tries given some of the positions they've found themselves in.

Australia are trying to end the first half on the front foot, forcing a lineout on the five-metre line. Moore delivers it before the Wallabies try to drive it over the line.

Australia do get to close the gap before the break, with Hooper keeping hold of the ball as the team drive it across for their third try of the match. Foley has the chance to put the Wallabies ahead at the interval, but he misses for the third time to leave them a point back.

So, as the sides head off at the end of the opening 40 minutes, it's Scotland who have a narrow lead thanks to a try from Peter Horne and some clinical kicking from Greig Laidlaw. Australia have crossed the line three times, but struggles with the boot from Bernard Foley have prevented them from making the most of their chances.

Peter Horne's try came somewhat against the run of play after Australia had dominated the start of the match. As you can see from the below picture, the team were delighted.
© Getty Images

In the opening 40 minutes, Australia had 56% of the possession and 61% of the territory. It was Scotland who finished the stronger of the two sides though, with 74% of the ball in the final 10 minutes before the break. There's little to separate the two sides in the attacking stats, but the Scottish defence has worked a lot harder, making 79 tackles Australia's 51. Jonny Gray, who was only added to the starting lineup just before kickoff after overturning a suspension, leads the way with tackles, landing 11 in the first half.

Barney Corkhill shares his thoughts on the first half at Twickenham:

"Australia have scored three tries in that first half, but still find themselves behind. Scotland have played really well on the whole so far, and a repeat performance in the coming 40 minutes could be enough for them to book a shock place in the last four. At the moment, though, it is a case of the two kickers, with Laidlaw hitting everything and Foley really struggling. The Wallaby fly-half has been brilliant so far this tournament, but he hasn't been great from the tee so far today."

The players are starting to head back out for the second half.

RESTART! Australia get the second half underway.

SIN BIN! It's a big blow at the start of the second half for Scotland as Bernard Foley passes the ball out to the left, with Sean Maitland sticking a hand out and knocking it on. The TMO takes a second look at it and decides it was a deliberate knock on, so Maitland is off the pitch for the next 10 minutes.

Scotland kick the penalty for a lineout, with Genia passing to Drew Mitchell on the left, setting the winger up for his second try of the game. He's now just one try behind Rugby World Cup leading try-scorers Bryan Habana and Jonah Lomu.

Scotland win a scrum, and get a penalty when Sio collapses the scrum. They're still a player short, so Laidlaw elects to go for the posts, despite it being a long way out, and he just slices it inside the right post.

Scotland haven't coped well with Australia's restarts today, and a mistake from Finn Russell gives the Wallabies another lineout in a strong position.

NO TRY! Adam Ashley-Cooper thinks that he's over in the right corner for his second try of the match as Australia play the ball across the width of the pitch with ease after Drew Mitchell is held up looking for his third. Will Genia gets it out from the back, but Blair Cowan does just enough to loosen it from his grip, resulting in a knock on. The referee needs a second look with the TMO, but quickly confirms that the ball went forward, so chalks the try off.

Scotland have the scrum as a result of a knock on, and it looks like there could be a further blow for Australia as Sio goes down under pressure from Nel, resulting in him injuring his shoulder. He's having to go off, seemingly in quite some agony, making way for James Slipper.

Scotland are back up to 15 as Maitland returns from the sin bin, just in time to see Foley lining up another kick.

It's actually Foley's first penalty attempt of the match, with his earlier efforts all coming from conversions, and he improves to two from five for the day, blasting the ball through from distance to put Australia six points up.

Scotland force a turnover as Australia lose the ball just inside Scottish territory. Denton races away down the left, before a pass inside is intercepted. Ashley-Cooper tries to kick it out from the back, but it bounces back off Finn Russell into Scottish hands, giving Australia the scrum.

Foley hesitates with a kick, allowing Finn Russell to charge it down for Scotland before passing to Tommy Seymour, who races over in the corner for his fourth try of the tournament. Greig Laidlaw can't add the conversion though, leaving the Scots just a point behind.

Australia try to get back on the attack down the other end, with Kuridrani seemingly unleashing Ashley-Cooper, who has already been denied his second try of the match this half. He's not getting over this time though, as Stuart Hogg makes a brilliant tackle to stop the winger getting over.

Barney Corkhill reports from Twickenham:

"What a game this is turning out to be. I think it's fair to say that it is a lot closer than many people were expecting, and Scotland deserve so much credit. Australia are always dangerous, but I would not like to call this one right now!"

The strong Tevita Kuridrani smashes his way through for another Australia try, dragging two Scots over the line with him as he reaches for the whitewash. He had Beale in space to his left, but elected to take it on himself, just getting the better of Hardie and Horne.

Scotland certainly aren't giving up on this, as they're straight back down the other end, with Josh Strauss, fresh off the bench, and Laidlaw both looking for the gap. The scrum-half passes inside towards Hogg, but Australia give away a penalty.

Scotland are back within a try of Australia as Laidlaw puts the ball through again, taking over from Argentina's Nicolas Sanchez as the top points scorer in this year's competition.

The rain is really starting to come down as the match heads into the final 10 minutes. Scotland force a scrum just inside their own territory. It comes out to Laidlaw, who kicks it forward, but Beale gathers.

What a time to score a try! Scotland are back on level terms as James Slipper throws a wayward pass, allowing Mark Bennett to power across from a few minutes out.

Laidlaw adds the extras, giving Scotland the lead with just over five minutes to go. It's worth highlighting with the scores being so close that in the event of a draw there will be extra time and, if needed, a kicking competition, but Scotland will be hoping that they can hold on to their lead.

Scotland have a scrum, but the heavy rain is making it difficult for both packs to get their power down. Scotland get a penalty though as Australia engage too soon, but they can't create anything from it.

No-one can keep hold of the ball in the slippery conditions following a Scotland lineout, resulting in John Welsh knocking it forward. Australia have a penalty. Foley has been hit and miss today, but can restore the Wallabies lead with this kick.

Despite his first-half misses and the weather, Foley keeps his cool, firing it straight through the middle with less than a minute to go.

What a heartbreaking finish for Scotland. They led inside the final minute, but a late penalty from Bernard Foley hands the Wallabies the narrowest of victories in a fiercely competitive games, ensuring that the four teams from the Rugby Championship progress to the semi-finals at the Rugby World Cup.

Barney Corkhill reports following full time at Twickenham:

"Another classic match in this World Cup, and what a performance from Scotland who, let's not forget, didn't win a single game at the Six Nations this year. It was a magnificent game and both teams deserve so much credit for playing their part. Ultimately, though, it is the Southern Hemisphere that prevails once again."

So, Australia will take on Argentina in the semi-finals as they continue to press for a third Rugby World Cup title. That's all from this match, but join us again next weekend so see which sides can make it through to the final. Stick around as well for loads of reaction from both of today's quarter-finals. Thanks for joining me this afternoon. Goodbye.
© Getty Images