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

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

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