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Fantastic to finally hear some confidence out of Scotland but I think they would have been well advised to keep it in the changeroom, at least for a few more days.
The Wallabies are going to be mighty pissed coming off last weekend and this will just add more fuel to the rage.
Scots say Wallabies are there for the taking
Greg Growden | November 18, 2009
EDINBURGH: Even Scotland, who haven't beaten Australia in their past 16 meetings over a painfully long 27 years, believe the Wallabies are no world-beaters and are priming themselves for victory at Murrayfield on Saturday (4am Sunday, Sydney time).
With their grand slam aspirations over after drawing 20-20 with Ireland at Croke Park, the frazzled mood of a tired and dejected Wallabies squad worsened when they arrived in Edinburgh from Dublin late on Monday. They encountered wet skies, freezing temperatures and local footballers who are convinced they are vulnerable and not up with the many recent touring Wallabies sides who have thrashed them with regularity.
If the Springboks or All Blacks were in town, the Scots would probably be careful what they said. But knowing that this Australian side revolves around an inexperienced player group accustomed to disappointment, it was clear that even though they enjoyed a patchy and unspectacular 23-10 win over Fiji at Murrayfield last Saturday they believe they could be heading towards their first triumph over Australia since 1982.
Their new coach, Andy Robinson, who was involved with England for many years, was careful in his assessment, saying Scotland would have to improve by 15 per cent to be competitive against the Wallabies, but his players were more boisterous.
No.8 Johnnie Beattie went as far as saying that in certain areas Scotland face an easier task confronting the Wallabies than they did against Fiji. He told the Scottish media that they would know exactly what to expect from their opponents.
''Personally, I find it harder playing against a team like Fiji because you have no idea what they are going to throw at you,'' Beattie told Glasgow's Herald. ''The talent they [Fiji] have is unbelievable. You can analyse Australia and second-guess areas to go in defence and do your research and find out where you are supposed to go, which I find easier than playing against a team where you have locks stepping and props stepping as you saw [from Fiji].
''You never know where it is going to go but if we are more organised in our defence, we should be able to shut them down next week.''
The belief in the Scotland team was shown by skipper Chris Cusiter proclaiming: ''We will cause a team like Australia problems.'' When asked if at last Scotland will beat the Wallabies, he replied: ''Absolutely. We have a focus on what we have to do.''
After a sleepless night following the frustrations of Croke Park, where his team again wasted its opportunity by falling away in the final minutes, Wallabies coach Robbie Deans said he was aware a Robinson-coached Scotland were dangerous.
''Scotland will be waiting for us and they're hungry,'' Deans said. ''They are also coached by Andy Robinson, who is pretty hungry as well because he is passionate about getting results. I've no doubt he will have them champing at the bit. Watching the Fiji game, I had a sense they were just waiting for this week.''
It is clear Deans respects Robinson's coaching capabilities and knows that his Scottish players will want to impress their new leader. ''They've got this presence up front and through the back line. It is clear that these players can see an exciting future and they all want to be part of it. Some fresh components and experience comes through Andy Robinson, so it's a very potent mix,'' Deans said.
Deans knows his players are hurting following the Ireland failure, but was encouraged when told of the sentiments of his fullback Adam Ashley-Cooper, who said they all were desperate to finish the Home Unions leg unbeaten.
Ashley-Cooper explained: ''No one has officially told me the grand slam is over. I don't want to hear it. And that's the way I'm approaching the rest of the tour.''
Deans put it into perspective: ''The grand slam is gone but there's still an awful lot to play for.''
Meanwhile, Ireland winger Luke Fitzgerald looks set to miss the Six Nations after rupturing a knee ligament during the draw with Australia.
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Originally Posted by Burgs
