Australia v Scotland - Preview

Scotland Coach Andy Robinson

Andy Robinson's Scotland face Australia on Tuesday at the Hunter Stadium in Newcastle, harboring ambitions of a first win 'down under' since 1982. Both teams have named relatively inexperienced back lines with Scotland naming Matthew Scott at inside centre for his first start at full international level. Robinson has also named four cap exciting full back Stuart Hogg as well as the 80kg fly half Greg Laidlaw who himself only has seven caps. Australia have named the Brumbies Joe Tomane to start his first test at full back with Reds Luke Morahan and Rob Harris gaining starts on the wing and in the centres.

Despite the relative inexperience of the backs divisions, they both boast significant excitement for Tuesdays match, if Stuart Hogg can replicate a try of the same standard as this one http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8XHHp5lEulY against England Saxons, then we are in for an exciting game of rugby.

Elsewhere Berrick Barnes has been named as Austrlia fly half following injuries to Quade Cooper, James O'Connor and Kurtley Beale. There is also though a place for the increasingly in form Will Genia and his Reds teammate Digby Ioane.

Up front both sides have debuting props with Dan Palmer of Australia and Ryan Grant of Scotland both starting their first international games. Dave Dennis also starts his first game at six alongside stand in captain David Pocock following the injury to regular captain James Horwill. Scotland are also missing their standout number 8 David Denton due to inury and replace him with experienced international John Barclay.

Scotland can go into this game confident, Australia have a very inexperienced side who will have had almost no time to prepare following matches this weekend between the Brumbies and Rebels. If ever there was a time to end the 30 year losing streak in Australia, this is the opportunity. Scotland have beaten Australia in recent years with a 9-8 win in the two sides last meeting in November 2009.

Prediction- This is Scotland's best opportunity to win down under for a number of years against an inexperienced Australia side and an out of form fly half. They will dominate against a weak Australian scrum and with their extra weeks of training as a side will be able to dominate the set piece. However, they have a problem with try scoring and if they struggle to do so, could be punished by the Australian back line. If the conditions are dry expect an Australian win by 8, if they are wet, Scotland can nick it by 3.

Australia: 15 Luke Morahan, 14 Joe Tomane, 13 Anthony Fainga'a, 12 Mike Harris, 11 Digby Ioane, 10 Berrick Barnes, 9 Will Genia, 1 James Slipper, 2 Stephen Moore, 3 Dan Palmer, 4 Sitaleki Timani, 5 Nathan Sharpe, 6 Dave Dennis, 7 David Pocock (C), 8 Scott Higginbotham
Replacements: 16 Saia Fainga'a, 17 Ben Alexander, 18 Rob Simmons, 19 Michael Hooper, 20 Nick Phipps, 21 Pat McCabe, 22 Adam Ashley Cooper


Scotland: 15 Stuart Hogg, 14 Joe Ansbro, 13 Nick De Luca, 12 Matt Scott, 11 Sean Lamont, 10 Greig Laidlaw, 9 Mike Blair; 1 Ryan Grant, 2 Ross Ford (C), 3 Euan Murray, 4 Alastair Kellock, 5 Richie Gray, 6 Alasdair Strokosch, 7 Ross Rennie, 8 John Barclay
Replacements:16 Scott Lawson, 17 Jon Welsh, 18 Tom Ryder, 19 Richie Vernon, 20 Chris Cusiter, 21 Duncan Weir, 22 Tom Brown