After suffering a 41-5 thumping from Queensland 10 days ago, the midweek side recovered to secure a comfortable victory over NSW Country and entered the game in confident mood.

But the missed tackles that had proved so costly at Ballymore returned and former Australia winger Scott Staniforth scored twice.

He was joined on the scoresheet by Elia Tuqiri, Peter Hewat and Tim Clark while Tim Donnelly landed four conversions.

Scotland, who trailed 12-10 at the interval, managed just a try in each half, from prop Joel Brannigan and winger Stephen Cranston with Gordon Ross landing a penalty and conversion.

The Waratahs were shorn of their international stars, with 10 players lost to Australias Test team and three with Super 12 experience in the Under-21 World Cup squad.

Most of the Scotland side were playing for a place on the tour - with Matt Williams to cut 10 players ahead of the Test matches - while Ross was on trial for a start against the Wallabies on Sunday.