Hotshot Hamish focuses on Fiji

AUSTRALIA

HAMISH WATSON could be forgiven for thinking it is all a dream, having broken into the Scotland team only last year.

But after his winning try in their thrilling triumph in Sydney, it was all about what comes next: the chance to complete their tour with a victory in Fiji on Saturday.

“Fiji in Fiji is not going to be an easy Test,” said Watson.

“We will enjoy the win against Australia but then put it to one side and concentrate on the Fiji game because they pose a lot of threats.

“The win over Australia was an amazing result. It is great for Scottish rugby and great for all the fans – an amazing victory, definitely my career highlight.”

It was also a personal triumph for flanker Watson, 25. He was one of Scotland’s main ball-carriers and helped lead the defensive effort before and after popping up on the shoulder of centre Duncan Taylor to run in the game’s final score.

“That try was a terrific build-up by the boys,” said Watson. “It was great play by Lee Jones and Duncy Taylor, and pretty easy for me to finish it off. Our defence was awesome but we could definitely have scored more tries.

“Sometimes we didn’t look after the ball as well as we should have. We are still pretty new to the systems – it’s only Gregor Townsend’s second game with the squad as coach – and we will keep building.”

His starring display puts a high-profile finish on Watson’s breakthrough, in which his rise to the top has coincided with the team starting to flourish.

“We’ve got ourselves up to fifth in the world,” he said. “It’s been a great time for us all.”

AUSTRALIA – Tries: Cons: SCOTLAND – Tries: Cons: Pen: