Tuesday, June 5, 2012

RUGBY TEST MATCH: Scotland Begin Tour

05.06.2012
Scotland v Australia in Newcastle

Venue: Hunter Stadium
This is the first rugby test match to be played in Newcastle, a city north of Sydney.

Referee: Jaco Peyper (South Africa)

Preview
For the first time a rugby test match is to be played at the city of Newcastle, north of Sydney.

This is the first of the June window tests for the world’s major rugby playing nations.

The last time these two teams met Scotland scored a major upset by toppling the Wallabies 9-8 at Murrayfield. That was back in 2009.

Due to the limitations of players involved in Super rugby just 3 days ago, Australian coach Robbie Deans is introducing a number of new players to test rugby. Luke Moraham, Mike Harris, Joe Tomane, Dan Palmer and Dave Dennis will all make their test debuts. Brumbies flanker Michael Hooper could also earn his first cap off the bench.

Out with injury for Australia are Kurtely Beale, James O'Connor, James Horwill and Quade Cooper. These injuries plus players being unavailable has left an Australian side wide open for a Scotland victory. The last time Australia fielded an under strength test side was when they crashed to Samoa last June.

Andy Robinson will also blood a few young players at test level. Ryan Grant and Matt Scott make their test debuts whilst Utility back Tom Brown and Glasgow lock Tom Ryder could earn their first test ‘caps’ off the bench.

Scotland has a more experienced pack. I’m certain Scotland will play the game tight and try to dominate up front. Australia will want to use their speedy backs but will also try to match the strong Scottish pack.

It certainly is going to be an interesting rugby test match.

Last Five Encounters
21.11.2009 Scotland 9-8 at Murrayfield
25.11.2006 Australia 44-15 at Murrayfield
20.11.2004 Australia 31-17 in Glasgow
06.11.2004 Australia 31-14 at Murrayfield
19.06.2004 Australia 34-13 in Sydney

Scotland last defeated Australia on Australian soil in 1982. They won 12-7 in Brisbane.

Australia Last Five
03.12.2011 v Wales W 24-18 in Cardiff
31.10.2011 v Wales W 21-18 in Auckland (World Cup, Playoff 3rd-4th)
16.10.2011 v New Zealand L 6-20 in Auckland (World Cup, Semi-final)
09.10.2011 v South Africa W 11-9 in Wellington (World Cup, Quarter-final)
01.10.2011 v Russia W 68-22 in Nelson (World Cup, Pool C)

Scotland Last Five
17.03.2012 v Italy L 6-13 in Rome (6 Nations)
10.03.2012 v Ireland L 14-32 in Dublin (6 Nations)
26.02.2012 v France L 17-23 at Murrayfield (6 Nations)
12.02.2012 v Wales L 13-27 in Cardiff (6 Nations)
04.02.2012 v England L 6-13 at Murrayfield (6 Nations)

GWC Rugby Rankings
World Table-Australia 2nd, Scotland 10th

IRB Ranking Points
Australia 87.99, Scotland 73.86

Prediction: Australia by 8 points

Teams

7[1]

AUSTRALIA

 

15   Luke Morahan * Queensland Reds
14   Joseph Tomane * ACT Brumbies
13   Anthony Fainga’a  Queensland Reds
12   Michael Harris * Queensland Reds
11   Digby Ioane  Queensland Reds
10   Berrick Barnes  NSW Waratahs
9   William Genia Queensland Reds
8   Scott Higginbotham  Queensland Reds
7   David Pocock (Capt.) WA Western Force
6   David Dennis * NSW Waratahs
5   Nathan Sharpe WA Western Force
4   Sitaleki Timani  NSW Waratahs
3   Daniel Palmer * ACT Brumbies
2   Stephan Moore ACT Brumbies
1   James Slipper Queensland Reds
       
16   Saia Fainga’a  Queensland Reds
17   Benjamin Alexander ACT Brumbies
18   Robert Simmons Queensland Reds
19   Michael Hooper * ACT Brumbies
20   Nicholas Phipps Melbourne Rebels
21   Patrick McCabe ACT Brumbies
22   Adam Ashley-Cooper  NSW Waratahs
       
    HEAD COACH: Robbie Deans

* New caps

4[1]

SCOTLAND

15   Stuart Hogg  Glasgow Warriors
14   Joseph Ansbro London Irish, England
13   Nicholas De Luca Edinburgh Rugby
12   Mathew Scott * Edinburgh Rugby
11   Sean Lamont Llanelly Scarlets, Wales
10   Greig Laidlaw  Edinburgh Rugby
9   Michael Blair  Edinburgh Rugby
8   John Barclay  Glasgow Warriors
7   Ross Rennie  Edinburgh Rugby
6   Alasdair Strokosch Gloucester, England
5   Richard Gray  Glasgow Warriors
4   Alastair Kellock  Glasgow Warriors
3   Euan Murray  Newcastle Falcons, England
2   Ross Ford (Capt.) Edinburgh Rugby
1   Ryan Grant * Glasgow Warriors
       
16   Scott Lawson  Gloucester Rugby
17   Jon Welsh Glasgow Warriors
18   Thomas Ryder * Glasgow Warriors
19   Richard Vernon  Sale Sharks
20   Christopher Cusiter  Glasgow Warriors
21   Dunacn Weir Glasgow Warriors
22   Thomas Brown * Edinburgh Rugby
       
    HEAD COACH: Andy Robinson

* New caps

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