Scotland v Australia 25th November

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Scotland v Australia
25th November 2017
BT Murrayfield Stadium

ko 14.30
Coverage BBC/BT Sport

While the overall balance in this fixture leans heavily towards Australia, it is also fair to say that the Aussie's don't have the hex over Scotland in the same way that the All Blacks do. Scotland have won on several occasions, including their most recent fixture in Australia in the summer and before that was the infamous (from a Scottish perspective) WC quarter final, with a certain dubious reffing decision, that may have had an impact on the result.

Australia were in the middle of a post WC slump during the summer, from which they have largely recovered now, but similarly Scotland were missing a few key players and it could well be argued are a more complete side now.

Probably more influential on the result will be what the two games this weekend have taken out of the two teams, particularly in terms of injured players.

Australia ended up well beaten by England, but with a score line that did not really reflect the match, in fact, with a few of the more marginal calls going their way, the result could easily have gone the other way. They did however worryingly run badly out of steam in the last 10 mins when the match ran away from them.

Scotland, on the other hand, despite taking a horrible injury toll against NZ, actually finished the game the stronger team and how often can that be said when playing the blackness.

My worries for Scotland are that they may have lost, from an already inexperienced side, just one or two players to many; as well as just how can they possibly get themselves back up again after playing so well and getting nothing to show for it. This match will actually be a massive test for them in terms of their progress. Are they just a team that can get themselves up for a big game, or can they be consistently good now and back up a performance with another. In the 6N last year and on the summer tour, they failed to do that and to move forward, they need to start doing so.

I’m not so sure – if you get them round the ankles they’ll still likely make it over the gainline due to momentum, and SBW got his ridiculous offload away at the weekend because he was tackled low. Dunbar can stop momentum dead in defence whereas that just won’t happen with Horne.

Horne did well when he came off the bench against NZ and if anything it will make our attack even more potent, but our midfield defence is a worry even more now.

Kerevi/Kuridrani caused us a few problems in midfield, Kerevi in particular looked good

Kuridrani vs peter horne
http://www.totalprosports.com/2013/07/25/gifs-of-brutal-rugby-hits/#26

Well done Mr Scones for accurately quoting the motto of Hillhead Girl's Academy.

Hornee Furra has looked good when he's come on; I thought he did well against the Blackness.
Defensively, I am more concerned about Huw Jones. I'm fairly confident that if any big Aussies run straight at him he'll apply his shoulder to their sternum all day long. However, when they begin to run plays off first phase possession a la England or the AB's then I don't think he's on the same page as his team mates. Literally.

Weather report - snowing like feck in the WE of Glasgow and bitterly cold- talking of nips !

Just been reminded that Kuridrani steam rolled over Horne with 5 minutes to go for the decisive try last autumn - he's going to be pleased with the late change in selection!

RDW_Scotland wrote:Just been reminded that Kuridrani steam rolled over Horne with 5 minutes to go for the decisive try last autumn - he's going to be pleased with the late change in selection!

actual footage of that score

https://www.facebook.com/RugbyRampage/videos/1533701620055022/

here's a carbon copy of one of the many tries I used to score

https://www.therugbyblog.com/moment-of-the-weekend-stunning-counter-finished-by-rampaging-prop

How he ghosted passed the winger and what looks like the replacement scrum half, I'll never know!

He did need gas and air afterwards it seems

Just arrived up in Glasgow a few hours ago. Can definitely confirm that it is officially brass Monkeys up here.

My wife was looking longingly at the planes heading back to London as the sleat came down on us walking to the terminal!

I doubt very much whether Tongan Thor, or any of the other Fijian boys will have played in Weather like this before!
It probdbly would be an advantage to for it to snow tomorrow but I would rather it did not. Firstly because it will be a better game and also because my wife is likely to divorce me for bringing in her to Scotland in November!

The forecast is to be baltic tomorrow but dry - once they get going they shouldn't notice the weather. The subs on the other hand are likely to be icicles by the time they come on!

BigGee wrote:Just arrived up in Glasgow a few hours ago. Can definitely confirm that it is officially brass Monkeys up here.

My wife was looking longingly at the planes heading back to London as the sleat came down on us walking to the terminal!

I doubt very much whether Tongan Thor, or any of the other Fijian boys will have played in Weather like this before!
It probdbly would be an advantage to for it to snow tomorrow but I would rather it did not. Firstly because it will be a better game and also because my wife is likely to divorce me for bringing in her to Scotland in November!

 Very good point.

I live a few miles east of the ground. Been dry all morning and no sign of rain

Good luck Scotland.

Looks like Hogg has injured himself??

RDW_Scotland wrote:Looks like Hogg has injured himself??

Oh FFS, who is the bench cover. Maitland to fullback?

Maitland to full back and McGuigan to wing surely, but Jones and Fife are with their clubs so we'll maybe have to put an extra forward on the bench?

Jackson is there so looks like he'll bench.

Man that's annoying. While structure will be up in the air now.

Confirmed Jackson to bench. Huge blow!

Hogg is so unlucky,

Cmon Scotland.
Enjoy the game my fellow 606ers

This ref penalising us at 2 rucks already - I hope we adapt to his interpretation quickly

I really don't see the point in quick 22s - it just put us under more pressure to exit!

Great rolling maul but classic Finn Russell kicking it dead!

McGuigan started well - shame he fumbled that into touch!

Not the best footballing skills from McGuigan but who cares!

Such a joy watching Scotland play rugby these days.

That's a good result for Scotland getting a 5m scrum from that

All Scotland just now - just a few frustrating errors

Beal looking very hesitant under the high ball - need to target him

Australia looking surprisingly flat - no intensity from them in defence

Least said about McGuigan's tackling the better. Still he's in credit

Berghan might be hooked at half time at this rate

looks like flaky Finn is playing today

tigertattie wrote:looks like flaky Finn is playing today

We should be dominating this but his missed touch finders are letting them off

Try shouldn't have happened if Russell just hit touch!

Seymour having another bad game

Who'd have thought Seymour and Russell would cost us 12/14 points

What the hell has happened to Tommy Seymour?!

We've not had a good 10 minutes - we've looked very flat and made basic mistakes

Got to be a red!

Should be ahead at half time. 2 terrible kicks from Russell (and 1 from Price) and Seymour has missed tackles plus a knock on in a vulnerable position. Why was Visser not picked? Is he injured?

Clear red

Bye Kepu. Glad watson is OK

Thought Price had messed that up. Huge hole there

We really need to kick on now - 40 minutes 14 men we've got to win this

Thankfully consistency prevails. Some referees would have bottled that.

John Barclay needs to calm himself down

Hazel Sapling wrote:Should be ahead at half time. 2 terrible kicks from Russell (and 1 from Price) and Seymour has missed tackles plus a knock on in a vulnerable position. Why was Visser not picked? Is he injured?

Seymour has just not been himself the last two game. I wonder if he is carrying an injury?

Gabby Logan knows what's she's talking about "always reliable Finn Russell"

Clearly been taking pundit tips from kenny

Mcguigan has played pretty well so far. If Seymour doesn't improve he needs to be hooked.

Strange half - Scotland in complete control for 25 minutes, play like crap for 10 then all changes with the red card!

McGuigan, Watson, McInally and Gilchrist playing well.

Seymour and Berghan must do better.

An early scrum would be handy so they have to take a back row off for the rest of the game...