SCOTS CALL ON GRATEFUL EIGHT
Townsend rings changes for tougher Wallabies test
Gregor Townsend never baulked at the prospect of changing a winning team when he was in charge of glasgow warriors. one game into his tenure as head coach of scotland and he is at it again.
Townsend’s side may have been impressive in scoring five tries during the 34-13 win over Italy in singapore last week but that didn’t stop him making eight changes to his starting XV for tomorrow’s Test against Australia.
some are enforced, of course, with winger Tim Visser struggling with a rib injury. others could be placed in the ‘puzzling’ category, especially among the backs. greig Tonks has been playing for London Irish in the english Championship, one division down from the Aviva Premiership, and hasn’t represented scotland for two years.
He comes in at full-back with duncan Taylor, who had looked assured at no 15 against Italy, moving into the centre.
Townsend, however, insisted bringing in a man who has been playing in the second tier of english rugby to face one of the top sides in the world isn’t a gamble.
‘London Irish played very well in the Championship this year,’ said the head coach. ‘They played a positive brand of rugby which brought them a lot of tries.
‘They have some key players in their team and I look at them as a top-half Premiership side.
‘we have watched how greig has performed individually and what he’s done this season. He really fits in with the rugby we aspire to play because of his passing ability and decision-making.
‘He has played regularly at full-back for London Irish and, with the wallabies’ kicking game, we believe he is the better option to counter their threats.
‘Another aspect of the wallabies game, as we saw last week against Fiji, is their aerial game, especially with their full-back Israel Folau being so good in the air, but greig is also very good under the high ball, too.
‘Yes, duncan Taylor did well at full-back last week but we want to see him at centre. He plays well there and we want to see him get hands on the ball and see how he will marshal our defence.
‘we know the wallabies are one of the best attacking teams in the world and they will move the ball from their 22. They are the best passing team in the world so having Finn russell, Alex dunbar and duncan there is a really solid defensive unit that can match them.’
Townsend said he also had no problem in naming wingers Lee Jones and rory Hughes along with Tonks in what is an inexperienced back three. Jones has not represented scotland for more than five years while Hughes has only started one international. Between them, they have just 13 caps.
‘Lee was always going to start in this game,’ said Townsend. ‘we were pleased with how damien Hoyland played against Italy.
‘He defended really well, made good decisions on the ball, so that’s great, but Lee is in great form.
‘He’s a much better player now than when he played for scotland before. He’s shown that in a number of big games, especially Champions Cup games for glasgow.
‘with Tim Visser out with a rib injury, rory gets another opportunity. He didn’t get his hands on ball against Italy but worked really hard in attack and defence.’
Townsend has elected for Zander Fagerson ahead of wP nel, who surprisingly drops to the bench. ryan wilson is chosen at no 8 ahead of Josh strauss.
Jonny gray returns to partner Ben Toolis in the second row, with Tim swinson dropping to the bench.
And Townsend had no alternative to bring back Hamish watson into the starting XV after John Hardie was ruled out with a back injury.
‘we didn’t play Jonny gray against Italy for a reason, which was to make sure he was ready to go for this game,’ he continued. ‘He has been a key player for scotland the last two or three seasons and he can’t wait to get going against Australia.
‘Hamish watson likewise. He had a little bit of an injury as well, so we didn’t play him against Italy. This week he has been outstanding and showed really great pace at training. I think it will be a very good match-up between him and Michael Hooper.’
Townsend has selected 28 out of the 34 squad players in his first two games but can’t guarantee those who haven’t featured — the uncapped nick grigg, d’Arcy rae, george Turner and sean Kennedy plus Alex Allan and the injured Hardie — will play in the final game against Fiji.
‘This is a tour and we want to see the players but also win the matches,’ he warned. ‘we know Australia pose a bigger challenge than Italy and that is the game we are focusing on.’