Wallabies determined to restore wounded pride in Scottish ‘grind’

IT is an unlikely rugby rivalry. After losing 16 times in a row to Australia between 1982 and 2009, Scotland have now won three of the past six games between the two nations.

This summer, Scotland claimed a 24-19 victory in Sydney in a loss that Wallabies skipper Michael Hooper admitted “really stung”.

Hooper knows what his side will face today at Murrayfield. “That last match was a real slugfest,” he said. “Scotland are a grind and the crowd will be involved, which is fantastic.”

Australia skills coach Mick ‘The Kick’ Byrne, who was once on the Murrayfield staff, believes Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend wants to out- Australia the Wallabies.

“The reasons the games are close is because both teams are trying to play rugby,” said Byrne. “I coached Gregor so I know how he is. Under him Scotland are not going to die wondering. We’ll have to bear the brunt of their disappointment at losing in the last seconds to the All Blacks and we’re ready for that.

“One of the big things that has changed is that the Scottish players’ belief in themselves has improved dramatically.”

Scotland captain John Barclay added: “You know it is going to be a tight match because games against Australia are very physical, and very fast.” (© Daily Telegraph, London) Scotland v Australia, Live, BBC 1, 2.30