Centre now loyal to Scotland
TOKYO: Scotland centre Sam Johnson insists he is a different person from four years ago. For a start, he no longer supports the Wallabies.
The Queenslandborn Glasgow centre is looking forward to his first taste of World Cup rugby action tomorrow when his side opens its pool A campaign against Ireland.
In 2015, however, he was celebrating the Dark Blues’ controversial exit at the hands of the Wallabies as referee Craig Joubert’s blunder robbed the Scots of a place in the semifinals.
But Johnson, who qualifies for Gregor Townsend’s team having spent four years at Scotstoun with the Warriors, says his days of cheering on the Aussies are over as he looks to go all the way with his new countrymen.
‘‘I had just arrived in Scotland,’’ he said as he cast his mind back to that fateful evening at Twickenham.
‘‘I was living in a little club flat in Earl St in Scotstoun. I remember watching that game.
‘‘I was just this kid who had come from Australia so I was cheering for Australia. I did not know any better,’’ he said.
‘‘To be honest, I was not taking as much notice (of Joubert’s mistaken offside call). It happened at the lineout so I had no idea what was going on. I just saw a penalty.’’
But Johnson is certain about what he believes Scotland’s aims should be now.
‘‘I think you’ve got to look to the top. We’re aware of the challenge that’s going to be awaiting us against Ireland this weekend and we’re focusing on that game.
‘‘They are No 1 in the world but we’re confident. We’ve just got to put as much pressure on their halfback pairing of Conor Murray and Johnny Sexton as we can.
‘‘They’re worldclass players but we’ll deal with the threats that are in front of us and have a crack.’’
Ireland must do without the experience of Rob Kearney and Keith Earls in their back three after the pair ran out of time to prove their fitness.
Munster’s Andrew Conway will take the place of Ireland’s record World Cup tryscorer Earls on the wing while Leinster’s 22yearold flyer Jordan Larmour comes in for Kearney.
With 170 caps between the two injured men and influential centre Robbie Henshaw already ruled out, the Johnny Sextonmarshalled Irish backline will feature five World Cup debutants tomorrow. — BPA/ Reuters