Australia were leading 13-0 after a try from Matt Giteau when Scotland took control of the game in the second quarter and Sydney-born fly-half Dan Parks landed four penalties to ensure his adopted nation were deservedly in touch at the interval.

The Wallabies cranked up the pressure after half-time, Lote Tuqiri struck twice and Wendell Sailor rounded off the scoring with a soft try in the closing minutes.

It was a frustrating end for Williams, whose side trailed by just six points an hour into a game the doom-mongers had predicted they would lose by a record margin.

"I thought there were a lot of positives from our performance. I am just very disappointed about the last 14 points I think we gifted them after so much hard work,'' said Williams.

"I thought we started very nervous and almost after 20 minutes you saw them grow in confidence, thinking 'We can do this'.

"I thought there was great courage and organisation in our defence.

"The last 20 minutes of the first half we controlled the match and fought our way back into it.

"It's a self-belief issue. We kept defending and defending and when we got the ball we rushed, lost a bit of composure and couldn't accumulate any more points.

"I thought we kept defending so courageously and with real organisation and it is just disappointing the last 14 points were really soft.

"I don't think it was a reflection of the efforts for the rest of the game, especially Wendell Sailor's last try.''

Scotland winger Simon Webster attempted to chip the ball over the former rugby league winger and break with Hugo Southwell inside him.

But Sailor clutched onto the ball and sauntered in for a soft late try.

"It was a possible 14-point turnaround. We had a two-on-one and whether Hugo would have made it is questionable.

"But to chip and get it caught and go back is disappointing.''

Southwell was his side's star performer, unleashing a series of crunching tackles in his first Test start at fullback.

"I thought Hugo Southwell had an outstanding game, I thought (flanker) Donnie MacFadyen had a very good game. I think there was no-one on the field played poorly,'' said Williams.

"It is lifting that performance, getting that self belief of a young side. The backs are just growing in confidence of the pace of international rugby and that takes a little bit more time.

"There are so many really positive things we can build on and the scoreline wasn't a reflection on the difference between the two teams.''

Wallabies captain George Gregan was impressed with the way Scotland, led by MacFadyen, competed at the breakdown.

"They competed very well there. Their competitiveness at the breakdown made it difficult for us,'' said Gregan.

Scotland forward Tom Smith admitted he had mixed feelings after their defeat.

"We have had a tough year and it is small steps at the moment.

"The Aussies tightened up a bit in the second half and closed the holes and we couldn't adapt.''