Scotland unchanged for Australia

Reuters - Tue, 17 Nov 14:09:00 2009

Scotland coach Andy Robinson demanded an improved performance after naming an unchanged team from the side that defeated Fiji 23-10 last weekend for the Test against Australia at Murrayfield on Saturday.

RUGBY Scotland head coach Andy Robinson - 0

"I believe every player should be given a second opportunity but they have to improve game by game. I hope that the match against Australia will give them the chance to show an improvement," Robinson said.

Robinson was far from satisfied with the performance against Fiji, the former England coach's first game in charge for the Scots.

"We have to improve at the scrum, our lineout has to be more efficient, our defence has to be better and we have to put in harder hits.

"I'd also like to see more enjoyment with ball in hand. We had too many players in the ruck and that produced slow ball. The players, however, understand that.

"It's another level this week and we have to show a 15 per cent improvement. We have to look at how we try to play. I thought we lacked a bit of ambition."

Robinson acknowledged that Australia represent an entirely different level of opposition to Fiji.

"I'm aware that the Australia scrum has been improving. Their lineout, however, has been under pressure but then which side wouldn't against Ireland and England," he said.

"This is an impressive Australia team. They had their hardships in the Tri-Nations but they showed their worth against South Africa. They'll want to keep unbeaten on tour. And of course they're number three in the world."

Australia opened their tour of the home unions by beating England 18-9 at Twickenham, but the Wallabies were held to a 20-20 draw by Ireland on Sunday.

Scotland team:

15-Rory Lamont, 14-Sean Lamont, 13-Alex Grove, 12-Graeme Morrison, 11-Simon Danielli, 10-Phil Godman, 9-Chris Cusiter (captain); 8-Johnnie Beattie, 7-John Barclay, 6-Alasdair Strokosch, 5-Alastair Kellock, 4-Nathan Hines, 3-Moray Low, 2-Ross Ford, 1-Allan Jacobsen.

Replacements: 16-Doug Hall, 17-Kyle Traynor, 18-Jason White, 19-Richie Vernon, 20-Mike Blair, 21-Chris Paterson, 22-Nick De Luca.

Reuters

Comment 1 - 11 of 11

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  1. I'd like to be optimistic but the boys haven't­ given me much reason to be so. We should have destroyed­ Fiji in the scrum but we didn't. Our recycling is­ too slow, we can't seem to create turnover ball­ even when it is presented on a plate. If we can't­ do this against Fiji, why should we expect any more­ against a better scrum?

    From John L, on Fri 20 Nov 4:48PM

  2. LOL well if the cap fits ;0) where would we be without­ dreams eh? Stranger things have happened and maybe just­ maybe this could be our time. You can take the boy­ outta Scotland but ye cannae take Scotland out the boy!

    From WILLIAM, on Wed 18 Nov 2:59PM

  3. It's not William WALLACE is it? (Only he would be­ that optimistic)

    From Donald D, on Wed 18 Nov 2:45PM

  4. Oh ye of little faith Scotland was built on pride and­ spirit and the Wallabies are about to find out just how­ much we have ! COME ON SCOTLAND !

    From WILLIAM, on Wed 18 Nov 1:16PM

  5. scotland to win, nathin hines mom

    From Pat, on Wed 18 Nov 12:46PM

  6. I don't think we'll win but should at least put­ up a decent performance.

    From the real adrian, on Wed 18 Nov 11:41AM

  7. Come on the blues...purples ......greys....

    From Donald D, on Wed 18 Nov 8:47AM

  8. Best of luck scotland. I've a feeling this will be­ closer than people think

    From Ads A, on Wed 18 Nov 12:31AM

  9. It's going to be a big defensive challenge in the­ first and last quarters for the Scots, but hopefully­ we'll show some enterprise and flair in the middle­ of the game and put a try or two down.

    Scotland played­ better than I have seen for a while last week and I­ liked the reasonably solid defence and the set piece­ work. AR is right when he says it needs to move up a­ gear or two, it does, but I think this team has the­ capacity to do that.

    Come on the blues!

    From tjm.sandford, on Wed 18 Nov 12:13AM

  10. Forget it!!! Scotland have no chance against­ Australia!!!
    Final score:- SCOTLAND 9 - 27 AUSTRALIA

    From Can-U-Shut-up-please!, on Tue 17 Nov 6:11PM

  11. I just can't get excited about Scotland games. I­ didn't watch any of them in last year's 6Nats

    From Donald D, on Tue 17 Nov 4:38PM
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