NSW Waratahs 33 Scotland 15: In amongst the wreckage of Scotland's demoralising defeat to a shadow NSW Waratahs side, which included the loss of another Test contender to injury, was an outstanding performance from inside centre Graeme Morrison.
The 21-year-old's display drew praise from his opposite number, Australia international Nathan Grey, and Scotland coach Matt Williams, who declared watching Morrison made the rest of the evening worthwhile.
That was no small compliment given Williams assessed Scotland's defeat, in which they conceded five tries, as their worst of the last eight difficult months.
"I thought that Scotland team had much more to give than they showed tonight. I am very disappointed with them.
"It was probably the most disappointing performance since I have been Scotland coach," said Williams.
"They just thought it was going to happen and it didn't. In amongst all that I thought Graeme Morrison was absolutely outstanding, the best player on the field."
Scotland competed well for much of the first half but could not maintain that intensity throughout and were punished for missed tackles and sloppy mistakes after the break.
Scott Staniforth showed what London Irish fans will enjoy next year, scoring twice and creating another, for Elia Tuqiri, with a sublime pass.
Full back Peter Hewat and scrumhalf Tim Clark both scored after the interval and outhalf Tim Donnelly rounded off the night with four conversions.
Scotland managed just a try in each half, from prop Joel Brannigan and winger Stephen Cranston, plus five points from Gordon Ross.
Ross was playing for the Scotland outhalf jersey for Sunday's Test but it did not appear as if he had done enough to oust Dan Parks. He opened with shaky kicking and then a defensive lapse led directly to Staniforth's first try after 12 minutes.
Ross's kicking improved and Scotland reclaimed the lead with a penalty and then Brannigan's try.
The Waratahs were dangerous attackers and a magical piece of skill from Staniforth, with a sleight-of-hand pass, created the chance for Tuqiri outside him and a 12-10 half-time lead.
A slick move then sent Hewat clear for the third and a succession of missed tackles allowed Staniforth to cruise home.
Cranston immediately scored his first Scotland try before Clark picked off a loose pass and sprinted 60 metres to score and condemn Williams to his most disappointing defeat.
It was Scotland's inability to maintain the positive steps taken last week, with victory over NSW Country and leadership qualities forming off the field, that was the biggest negative for Williams.
Captain Jon Petrie was taken to hospital after the match but scans cleared him of any damage to his neck.
One player not in the running to make the final 30-man Test squad is Simon Danielli, who will be travelling home after failing to shake a back injury. Scotland have already lost Chris Paterson and Tom Philip.
Meanwhile, uncapped Australia winger Mark Gerrard has been ruled out of Sunday's Test.
NSW WARATAHS: Hewat, E Tuqiri, Thaiday, Grey, Staniforth, Donnelly, Clark, Hoiles, McGann, Kaprowicz, Caldwell, Campbell, Broughton-Rouse, Freier, Hardy.
SCOTLAND: Morton, Danielli, Di Rollo, Morrison, Cranston, Ross, Blair, C Smith, Russell, Brannigan, Fullarton, Hamilton, MacLeod, Petrie, Gray.
