Scottish Daily Mail

Home fires help Toolis burn bright

- by ROB ROBERTSON

HE SPEAKS with an accent more akin to Ramsay Street than Princes Street and idolised Wallaby legend John Eales when growing up. Just don’t try telling Brisbane-born Ben Toolis he’s anything other than a proud Scot though.

Toolis was never allowed to forget his Scottish roots thanks to mum Linda, who hails from Carluke. The maternal link to all things Caledonian qualified Toolis to force his way into the Scotland reckoning.

That, however, was only after a spell in the Wallabies’ national youth academy where he became friends with some of the players he will find in direct opposition on Saturday. As Toolis admits, such a scenario adds a little extra spice to the occasion.

‘I want to use my background as fuel and energy to play well against Australia at the weekend because, at the end of the day, I am playing for Scotland, my country,’ he said.

‘I played with Samu Kerevi a lot and I always knew he would make it. He actually started out in the second row at 13 but moved to the centre because he didn’t get much taller but got bigger.

‘He has a lot of speed and his skills set is world class. I have watched him progress through the Queensland Reds to the Australian national side. He is a great player and is one to look out for this weekend.

‘There is also their back row Sean McMahon, who went to the same school as me in Brisbane. I was also in the Australian academy system with him at 19 and we are still good mates.’

Toolis has already tasted victory over Australia as part of Gregor Townsend’s side that triumphed Down Under in the summer. There were no divided loyalties then despite the curious scene of him ‘celebratin­g’ with fans wearing the famous green-and-gold Wallaby jersey.

‘They were also wearing Scotland scarves round their necks,’ smiled Toolis. ‘There was a bit of confusion when we won and I went over to them, but they were celebratin­g and happy and were my family and friends.

‘Playing Australia will always have extra spice because I was brought up there and it was extra special to get a win in their back yard.

‘It was a bit of a strange feeling as I was celebratin­g a win for Scotland in Australia but I would not change it for the world.

‘I had all my family there, my mum. There was not a better moment.

‘My twin brother Alex was there with his Scotland scarf on and he didn’t have his Aussie kit on, which was nice. He was fully supporting Scotland. He is my brother and you can’t help but support your brother can you?’

Mum Linda will be at Murrayfiel­d again this weekend — a fitting reward for her determinat­ion to see her boy play in the dark blue.

And Toolis added: ‘I remember seeing Scotland play in the 2003 World Cup in Australia in the pool stage. I went with my mum, got the face paint on and everything, so it was quite cool.

‘I try to watch the Wallabies as much as I can. Throughout the Rugby Championsh­ip they seemed to be a lot more organised in their defence. Their structure is a lot better.

‘They had a good win against the All Blacks and also South Africa and Argentina. Defensivel­y they are also a lot stronger.

‘It will be difficult to break them down but we’re happy with our fitness and the way our attack is coming along.

‘It will be interestin­g and exciting to see what happens this weekend, considerin­g the progress they’ve made. They’re definitely getting back to how good they can be.’

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