QF4: Australia v Scotland, 18 October

First topic message reminder :

      
AUSTRALIA v SCOTLAND

18 October 2015
16:00 BST (UTC+01)
Twickenham, London

Live on telly

Ref: Craig Joubert (South Africa)
ARs: Glen Jackson (New Zealand) and Pascal Gauzere (France)
TMO: Ben Skeen (New Zealand)

A. Head to Head

28 Played 28
19 Won 9
0 Drawn 0
9 Lost 19
671 Points 330

B. Recent Form

23 November 2013
Murrayfield, Edinburgh
15 – 21 to Australia

5 June 2012
Hunter Stadium, Newcastle
6 – 9 to Scotland

21 November 2009
Murrayfield, Edinburgh
9 – 8 to Scotland

25 November 2006
Murrayfield, Edinburgh
15 – 44 to Australia

20 November 2004
Hampden Park, Glasgow
17 – 31 to Australia

C. TEAMS:
AUSTRALIA

15 Kurtley Beale; 14 Adam Ashley-Cooper, 13 Tevita Kuridrani, 12 Matt Giteau, 11 Drew Mitchell; 10 Bernard Foley, 9 Will Genia;

1 Scott Sio, 2Stephen Moore, 3 Sekope Kepu, 4 Kane Douglas, 5 Rob Simmons, 6 Scott Fardy, 7 Michael Hooper, 8 Ben McCalman.

Substitutes: 16 Tatafu Polota-Nau, 17 James Slipper, 18 Greg Holmes, 19 Dean Mumm, 20 Sean McMahon, 21 Nick Phipps, 22 Matt Toomua, 23 Quade Cooper.

SCOTLAND

15 Stuart Hogg; 14 Sean Maitland, 13 Mark Bennett, 12 Peter Horne 11 Tommy Seymour; 10 Finn Russell,  9 Greig Laidlaw;

1 Alasdair Dickinson, 2 Ross Ford, 3 Willem Nel, 4 Jonny Gray, 5 Richie Gray, 6 Blair Cowan, 7 John Hardie, 8 David Denton. 


Substitutes: 
16 Fraser Brown, 17 Gordon Reid, 18 Jon Welsh, 19 Tim Swinson, 20 Josh Strauss, 21 Henry Pyrgos, 22 Richie Vernon, 23 Sean Lamont.

Guys , re JG and RF lets not let this rest. There really is something feckin rotten at the heart of WR. The whole D4 thing stinks to high feckin heaven. if we all shrug our shoulders and move on then THEY have won. This is our game not theirs. Do not let them suggest a RL type breakaway for lovers of our great game. (sniffle, snivel etc, etc). Keep piling on the pressure as that will make the journos turn too . Trust me they do read these forums..

Keep the Faith (and rocking in the free world !)

They go from three weeks to no weeks. Thank the stars. Move on and think of a player that went from one week to one week and was sexually fondled to boot for the privilege

We have too much turning of blind eyes to a bit of "OOH ERR MISSUS!!!" This must stop Carry On World Cup!!!

Wouldn't it be amusing to end the 32 year drought at twickenham, but not against England!?

No, not really.

32 years? Are you sure about that?

tigertattie wrote:Ooops

Firstly I took savea out my dream team and then I forgot you could have more than 3 players for a country in your team at one time

#fantasyteamfail

I'm going to make your mood worse sorry and tell you that you're allowed five per team in the knockouts.

Thankfully I had Savea and Milner Skudder. Though the players I contemplated putting in (Retalick and Gareth Davies) is my biggest regret.

Jeez, I am really getting tired of all the self flaggelation and hair shirt wearing in the press with the (surely SRU-approved) message that we couldn't possibly be bold enough to beat the Wallabies and if our nuts accidentally injure their foot in the process of being kicked, we're all frightfully sorry about that.

Where's Sean Lamont in the press conference room when you need him?

In a tangent, do Scots posters think Heathcote and Ruridh Jackson will come back into the Scots squad post RWC? Heathcote was very good for Wuss against Saints.

yappysnap wrote:In a tangent, do Scots posters think Heathcote and Ruridh Jackson will come back into the Scots squad post RWC? Heathcote was very good for Wuss against Saints.

I think Rhubarbs time has gone and Heathcote has not shone much. However unless Weir starts to show some form we are going to be scratching around for a back up ten. Who knows - we do not have riches at 10 at all. Maybe Tonks or Horne will step up?

yappysnap wrote:In a tangent, do Scots posters think Heathcote and Ruridh Jackson will come back into the Scots squad post RWC? Heathcote was very good for Wuss against Saints.

We all what we get with Jackson - Russell will still be our first choice 10 so depends on what Cotter wants from his reserve. Jackson desperately needs to get a run of games leading up to the 6N.

Heathcoat is probably an outside bet. He was truly awful in his time at Edinburgh, but wasn't helped by the whole team being crap. Despite their good win I think Worcester will struggle so he's going to have to stand out in a poor team to have a chance.

Long term bet for Scotland is Blair Kinghorn - 19 years old bit a great kicker and quite a big lad. He might not get much game time this year but he's one to watch.

Ah, the joys of being a Scottish rugby supporter. You wake up in the morning fresh and full of hope. By 9am you have already given up on the slim chance you are going to win, and start thinking if you should watch it in the pub to help soften the blow.

I would not totaly rule Jackson out, but he will need to get some game time at wasps which may not be easy. Heathcote on the other hand will play regularly for Worcester and that will do him the power of good. He did not shine at Edinburgh, but I don't think we ever saw the best of him. As RD said he was playing behind a poor pack at times and for whatever reason Solly did not seem to trust him and never really committed to him.

We pretty much know that Duncy is not an international FH, so we do need a back up to Finn and there is undoubtedly a place there for anyone who puts up their hand.

Kinghorne has plenty of promise, but surely is several years away from international rugby if he even gets that far.

Yip, Cakey. I am sliding towards full on Private Fraser mode.

jimbopip wrote:Yip, Cakey. I am sliding towards full on Private Fraser mode.

Oh yes - we are doomed for sure. Up agsainst the only side who show signs of being able to challenge NZ - its gonna be nasty. I hjust hope Scotland actually try to attack and go out fighting and don't simply try to defend. I'd rather we were beaten 50 - 30 than 12 - 3

BigGee wrote:I would not totaly rule Jackson out, but he will need to get some game time at wasps which may not be easy. Heathcote on the other hand will play regularly for Worcester and that will do him the power of good. He did not shine at Edinburgh, but I don't think we ever saw the best of him. As RD said he was playing behind a poor pack at times and for whatever reason Solly did not seem to trust him and never really committed to him.

We pretty much know that Duncy is not an international FH, so we do need a back up to Finn and there is undoubtedly a place there for anyone who puts up their hand.

Kinghorne has plenty of promise, but surely is several years away from international rugby if he even gets that far.

Jackson, for all that I made fun of him a little, was playing well for Wasps before he got crocked. Jimmy Gopperth is a very experienced 10 and will expect to play a lot, so the key thing is how much gametime the mighty Rhubarb is going to get when both of them are fit. I still see Jackson as Finn Russell's backup - not least because Scotland wouldn't have to completely change their style with him in the box seat. With Weir they would.

I feel sorry for Heathcote. Bath is clearly a nepotism-tastic place to be if you're a 10 (not saying that Ford isn't excellent, incidentally, before the emails start) and at Edinburgh our Tom was clearly not quite Saffer enough for Grandpappy. He will just be delighted to be playing each week in a top league. Let's see how he goes - he's still got a lot of promise but his experience with his previous two clubs has obviously affected his confidence.

I don't know where we are with Weir. Now that Mr Taylor is back and fit with Sarries, Weir is not even the best Scottish internationalist called 'Duncan' at the moment.

On 10s - I think Meatballneeds to go to a club where he is first choice 10 so gets to play an entire season even if that means going to an English or French 2nd division club

BigGee wrote:

Kinghorne has plenty of promise, but surely is several years away from international rugby if he even gets that far.

I mentioned him with the next world cup in mind - will be interesting to see how he gets on.

We just need to send him to Ayr to speed up the process!

RDW_Scotland wrote:

BigGee wrote:

Kinghorne has plenty of promise, but surely is several years away from international rugby if he even gets that far.

I mentioned him with the next world cup in mind - will be interesting to see how he gets on.

We just need to send him to Ayr to speed up the process!

FACT. Although that holy water of Milbrae is precious stuff. We can't just be dishing out the divine swally to any old interception-throwing 10 who happens to rock up.

Mark Dodson not letting go of Grayfordgate :-

http://thescotlandteam.com/2015/10/17/ford-and-gray-free-to-play/

21st Century Schizoid Man wrote:Guys , re JG and RF lets not let this rest.  There really is something feckin rotten at the heart of WR.  The whole D4 thing stinks to high feckin heaven.   if we all shrug our shoulders and move on then THEY have won.  This is our game not theirs.   Do not let them suggest a RL type breakaway for lovers of our great game. (sniffle, snivel etc, etc).   Keep piling on the pressure as that will make the journos turn too .  Trust me they do read these forums..  

Keep the Faith (and rocking in the free world !)

CITE THE COMMISSIONER !

Exactly - at the very least bin them

whens the team out ?

also like to point out that thoretically we should be ranked 6th, as theres only 6 teams currently left, and by ko we should be 5th.

u know change is always painful. it doesnt need to be:hug:

Re Heathcote, the commentator for the Edinburgh v Ulster game said he missed 6/10 kicks which cost Edinburgh the match. For me, unless he improves here, I don't see him near the squad.

If he improves his all round game at Worcester then you never know. We've got Russell but not too much else. The door is still open.

Nematode wrote:Re Heathcote, the commentator for the Edinburgh v Ulster game said he missed 6/10 kicks which cost Edinburgh  the match. For me, unless he improves here, I don't see him near the squad.

If he improves his all round game at Worcester then you never know. We've got Russell but not too much else. The door is still open.

I can remember that game well - he basically cost us the match! He had a complete meltdown

Good luck Scotland. Nothing would brighten my day more than an upset - at the expense of the Aussies.

offload wrote:Good luck Scotland.  Nothing would brighten my day more than an upset - at the expense of the Aussies.

Given Scotland have won 2 of our last 3 games against Aus then surely the upset will be if Aus win! Come on - we have ickle Jonny, Bambi on ice, Dancer and Didier Hoggba. Its gonna be a stroll!


Nurse - wheres my medication?

offload wrote:Good luck Scotland.  Nothing would brighten my day more than an upset - at the expense of the Aussies.

Things a bit dull over there, offload?  Cheer up mate!

Yes, good luck Scotland!

offload wrote:Good luck Scotland.  Nothing would brighten my day more than an upset - at the expense of the Aussies.

Aye - there are few things nicer in sport than watching Aussies get beaten

Even tho they are usually good sports

The Loaded Dog wrote:

offload wrote:Good luck Scotland.  Nothing would brighten my day more than an upset - at the expense of the Aussies.

Things a bit dull over there, offload?  Cheer up mate!

Yes, good luck Scotland!

I like Aussies, but 11 on the trot has finally got to me

Ford and Gray both start!

Up to you now to fly the NH flag.

No pressure lads

And so, NH hopes and dreams fall on a team some posters on this forum don't even belive we merit being in the 6N.

Eeeek

No pressure chaps!

BamBam wrote:No pressure chaps!

There is pressure on us to beat Australia?

I think we'll all be Scotland fans for the next few hours... weight of the top half of the planet is on you guys!

Speak for yourself mate.

Just a few hairy and pale people living near some sharp rocks by the North Sea will be carrying the weight of the NH.

What about our 25 million bronzed, boorish loud-mouthed ockas living in this broad gold land, huh?    

The Loaded Dog wrote:Speak for yourself mate.

Just a few hairy and pale people living near some sharp rocks by the North Sea will be carrying the weight of the NH.

What about our 25 million bronzed, boorish loud-mouthed ockas living in this broad gold land, huh?    

Only one worthwhile response to that, really:

So the final Scotland line up is:

15 Stuart Hogg; 14 Sean Maitland, 13 Mark Bennett, 12 Peter Horne 11 Tommy Seymour; 10 Finn Russell, 9 Greig Laidlaw;

1 Alasdair Dickinson, 2 Ross Ford, 3 Willem Nel, 4 Jonny Gray, 5 Richie Gray, 6 Blair Cowan, 7 John Hardie, 8 David Denton.

Substitutes: 16 Fraser Brown, 17 Gordon Reid, 18 Jon Welsh, 19 Tim Swinson, 20 Josh Strauss, 21 Henry Pyrgos, 22 Richie Vernon, 23 Sean Lamont.

Hallelujah. Follicly Challenged Alasdair nowhere near the squad.

I thought they were going to turn around at the last second, George.

Your blokes still need a good haircut. They're taking this Celtic thing a bit too seriously, possibly?

The Loaded Dog wrote:Speak for yourself mate.

Just a few hairy and pale people living near some sharp rocks by the North Sea will be carrying the weight of the NH.

What about our 25 million bronzed, boorish loud-mouthed ockas living in this broad gold land, huh?    

Bring it mate... ALBA GU BRATH
https://vine.co/v/e95KTZzF2gu

       

Ha ha GLove. A caber on ropes?

p.s. I haven't had a Foster's since you were -5 years old!

GLove39 wrote:
Bring it mate...   ALBA GU BRATH
https://vine.co/v/e95KTZzF2gu

       

Superb

GLove39 wrote:

The Loaded Dog wrote:Speak for yourself mate.

Just a few hairy and pale people living near some sharp rocks by the North Sea will be carrying the weight of the NH.

What about our 25 million bronzed, boorish loud-mouthed ockas living in this broad gold land, huh?    

Bring it mate...   ALBA GU BRATH
https://vine.co/v/e95KTZzF2gu

       

Yeah that's a beauty mate.

In really hope Scotland can do the NH proud. Cannae see it though...

According to O'Driscoll and Robinson it's already an Arg vs Oz semi.

Hope we well and truly shut them up!

Silly talk from BOD and Robinson.

Good luck Australia, you turn now.

Lets have us a wee Rugby Championship, KNOCT OUT STYLE

It's a weird feeling assuming the mantle of saviors of northern hemisphere rugby. But one I think we're all happy to accept.
Guess we'll hoist that flag from our wooden spoon!

Let's hope they can do it, Biltong.

The team has been slightly messed around with but in a way that's been good.
It's been sort of like a natural rotation through minor injuries and suspension to a couple of players.
Cheika probably would have done something like that anyway... knowing him.

So who had Scotland as the last home nation? Interestingly Scotland have won two out of three of the last three games vs Australia.

sportform wrote:So who had Scotland as the last home nation? Interestingly Scotland have won two out of three of the last three games vs Australia.

As long as Meatloaf doesn't come out and interrupt the anthems singing 2 Outta 3 Ain't Bad... and they don't fumble the ball if receiving the kick off... then I'm hoping the Wallabies can level that one up and make it 20-9.

Are we doomed yet? Or can I hold on to hopeless optimism for another 13 minutes?