VENUE & TIME: Murrayfield, Edinburgh, Sunday November 22, 04.15 AEDT.
HEAD TO HEAD: Played 25 – Australia 18, Scotland 7.
LAST TIME: November 25, 2006 (Edinburgh) – Wallabies 44-15 Scotland.
WALKING WOUNDED: The Scots have named an unchanged line-up for Sunday's clash with No.8 John Beattie (groin) and co-captain Mike Blair (ankle) both expected to play despite picking up niggles against Fiji. Robbie Deans has opted to rest last week's man-of-the-match David Pocock allowing veteran George Smith to return to the run-on side. Richard Brown comes into the squad to cover No.8 and flanker while prop Sekope Kepu replaces Matt Dunning on the bench in the only other change to the 22. The tourists have already lost three members of the original 35-man squad with Berrick Barnes (ankle), uncapped Waratahs centre Rob Horne (hamstring) and former skipper Stirling Mortlock (calf) all unable to complete the seven-match tour.
FORM: Scotland's unimpressive 23-10 victory over Fiji would have hardly struck fear into the hearts of the Wallabies, but the hosts' recent Six Nations campaign is proof they should not be taken lightly. While their only victory came against Italy, the plucky Scots were competitive in every match - their largest defeat a 14-point loss to the Poms at Twickenham. Having edged past an under-strength England at Twickenham the Wallabies needed to lift significantly against Six Nations Champions Ireland, and that's exactly what they did. Deans' men controlled proceedings at Croke Park for the first 75 minutes but had to settle for a frustrating 20-20 draw thanks to Brian O'Driscoll's heroics at the death. With the exception of the lineout, which conceded four throws in the first half alone, the Wallabies played with the discipline, composure and aggression needed to win on the road. But once again they failed to finish the job.
WHO'S HOT: The Scots were lukewarm at best against Fiji, however new skipper Chris Cusiter controlled proceedings well from the scrum base. The entire Wallabies back-row of Pocock, Wycliff Palu and captain Rocky Elsom stood up against the Irish who are renowned for their proficiency at the all-important breakdown. Man-of-the-match Pocock, a controversial selection in front of Smith, produced his best scavenging performance of his fledgling Test career while Elsom and Palu made inroads with every charge.
WE THINK: Scotland coach Andy Robinson has demanded a 15 percent improvement from his troops against the Wallabies this week, and he even brought in a sports physiologist to convince them they're capable of pulling off the major upset. The extra 15 percent probably won't prove enough to topple the Wallabies for the first time in 27 years, but as always the gritty Scots will make the tourists earn their victory. Wallabies by 15.
TEAMS:
Wallabies: 15. Adam Ashley-Cooper, 14. Peter Hynes, 13. Digby Ioane, 12. Quade Cooper, 11. Drew Mitchell, 10. Matt Giteau, 9. Will Genia, 8. Wycliff Palu, 7. George Smith, 6. Rocky Elsom (c), 5. Mark Chisholm, 4. James Horwill, 3. Ben Alexander, 2. Stephen Moore, 1. Benn Robinson.
Reserves: 16. Tatafu Polota-Nau, 17. Sekope Kepu, 18. Dean Mumm, 19. Richard Brown, 20. Luke Burgess, 21. Ryan Cross, 22. James O'Connor.
Scotland: 15 Rory Lamont, 14 Sean Lamont, 13 Alex Grove, 12 Graeme Morrison, 11 Simon Danielli, 10 Phil Godman, 9 Chris Cusiter (c), 8. Johnnie Beattie, 7. John Barclay, 6. Alasdair Strokosch, 5. Alastair Kellock, 4. Nathan Hines, 3. Moray Low, 2. Ross Ford, 1 Allan Jacobsen.
Reserves: 16 Dougie Hall, 17 Kyle Traynor, 18 Jason White, 19 Richie Vernon, 20 Mike Blair, 21 Chris Paterson, 22 Nick De Luca.