Backing Aussies is now a thing of the past for Scots centre Johnson

SCOTLAND rugby centre Sam Johnson insists he is a different person from four years ago — for a start he no l onger supports Australia.

The Queensland-born Glasgow player is looking forward to his first taste of World Cup action on Sunday when his side kicks-off their Pool A campaign against Ireland.

Back 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 semi-finals.

However, Johnson, who qualifies for Gregor Townsend’s team having spent four years at Scotstoun with the Warriors, said his days of cheering on the Aussies are over as he looks to go all the way with this new countrymen.

“I had j ust arrived i n 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 Street i n Scotstoun. I remember watching that game.

“But I am a different person to the one I was four years ago.

“I was just this kid who had come from Australia so I was cheering for Australia. I did not know any better.

“To be honest I was not taking as much notice (with what happened on Joubert’s mistaken offside call that handed Australia the winning penalty). It happened at the line-out so I had no idea what was going on.”

However, Johnson i s certain about what he believes Scotland’s aims should be.

“I think you’ve got to look to the top,” he said. “We’re aware of the challenge that’s going to be awaiting us against I reland this weekend and we’re focusing on that game. They are No 1 in the world but we’re confident.”

Sam Johnson is counting down to facing Ireland.