A new day, a new country. The Wallabies are now in sunny Edinburgh preparing for Saturday’s match-up against the Scots at Murrayfield.
The Scottish team has been named and it remains unchanged from the side that defeated Fiji last weekend. I’m not sure that’s an entirely good thing for them?
That’s because in my view a number of their players just don’t look up to international standard. They’re going to have to do a whole lot better if they want to compete with the Wallabies.
Although completely outclassing Fiji in the set piece and dominating possession, they failed to put away a weak Fijian combo who had nine players debuting on the day.
Their forwards look fairly competent but the 10, 12 and 13 shouldn’t provide too many sleepless nights for Gits and the boys. I don’t think they’re up to it.
The front row contains the British Lions hooker Ross Ford, a quality unit. Allan Jacobsen at loosehead’s a journeyman but the nuggety tighthead, Moray Low is a real slippery customer. Shades of Mighty Mouse McLauchlan.
He gained his first test start on the weekend and won Man of the Match honours. He was impressive around the park and destroyed his opposite number at scrum time.
In fact, the front five were awesome in that department, notwithstanding the nature of the opposition.
They also stole hundreds of Fijian lineout throws with Nathan Hines and Al Kellock prominent. Ozzy Jock Hines was also a British Lion this year and has been Scotland’s No 1 lock for the past few seasons.
He’s an aggressive worker who’ll no doubt relish the opportunity to stick it to his fellow countrymen.
With all this possession, the Scots had awful trouble putting points on the board finishing at 23-10, but looking very scunnered and below par.
When the Scots Garry Owen’ed the Island boys ran everything back at them and caused them some grief. Little chip kicks over the top were also effective.
The Scot’s back three in Sean Lamont, Rory Lamont and Simon Danielli (say that in a good Scottish brogue) are all big strong running fellows with plenty of international experience. The halfback and captain Chris Cussiter had a boomer of a game and looks to be in top form.
The weak link is Phil Godman at stand-off, who’s flighty and may crumple when Cliffy runs at him and he’s placed under a bit of pressure.
Centres Alex Grove (outside centre for Worcester Warriors and a 1st cap replacement for Ben Cairns) and Graeme Morrison just didn’t cut it in attack last weekend, although defensively they were sound.
I like the look of their No 6 Alistair Strokosch. He was into everything and will put his body on the line. He provides a good link between forwards and backs, something Bam Bam has been recently criticised for not doing.
Their two real quality players are both MIA. British Lions prop Euan Murray is still out with a broken ankle he sustained on the South African tour and 2001/2005 British Lion Simon Taylor seems to be perpetually crocked.
The trouble with the Jocks is that they have minimal depth, with only two professional teams to choose from. It’s no wonder that in recent years they’ve had loads of kilted Kiwis and Aussies knocking on their door claiming their granny’s called McTavish.
If I was the Wallabies coach (heaven help us) I’d be demanding we retain more ball in hand and really test the Scot’s defensive channels around 10 and a bit further out. Well, ball in hand is better than crappy kicks to a strong back three!
It seems like the weather’s mingin all week with showers predicted, but it may clear up on Saturday. The referees some French dude who probably can’t speak Jock.
Andy Robinson’s coaching career for England was miserable. I can see him having similar success with the Scots, beginning Saturday.
Scotland:
1 Allan Jacobsen (Edinburgh), 2 Ross Ford (Edinburgh), 3 Moray Low (Glasgow Warriors), 4 Nathan Hines (Leinster), 5 Alastair Kellock (Glasgow Warriors), 6 Alasdair Strokosch (Gloucester), 7 John Barclay (Glasgow Warriors), 8 Johnnie Beattie (Glasgow Warriors), 9 Chris Cusiter (Glasgow Warriors) Captain, 10 Phil Godman (Edinburgh),11 Simon Danielli (Ulster), 12 Graeme Morrison (Glasgow Warriors), 13 Alex Grove (Worcester Warriors), 14 Sean Lamont (Scarlets), 15 Rory Lamont (Toulon)
Substitutes: 16 Dougie Hall (Glasgow Warriors), 17 Kyle Traynor (Edinburgh), 18 Jason White (Clermont Auvergne), 19 Richie Vernon (Glasgow Warriors), 20 Mike Blair (Edinburgh), 21 Chris Paterson (Edinburgh), 22 Nick De Luca (Edinburgh)
