QF4: Australia v Scotland, 18 October

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AUSTRALIA v SCOTLAND

18 October 2015
16:00 BST (UTC+01)
Twickenham, London

Live on telly

Ref: Craig Joubert (South Africa)
ARs: Glen Jackson (New Zealand) and Pascal Gauzere (France)
TMO: Ben Skeen (New Zealand)

A. Head to Head

28 Played 28
19 Won 9
0 Drawn 0
9 Lost 19
671 Points 330

B. Recent Form

23 November 2013
Murrayfield, Edinburgh
15 – 21 to Australia

5 June 2012
Hunter Stadium, Newcastle
6 – 9 to Scotland

21 November 2009
Murrayfield, Edinburgh
9 – 8 to Scotland

25 November 2006
Murrayfield, Edinburgh
15 – 44 to Australia

20 November 2004
Hampden Park, Glasgow
17 – 31 to Australia

C. TEAMS:
AUSTRALIA

15 Kurtley Beale; 14 Adam Ashley-Cooper, 13 Tevita Kuridrani, 12 Matt Giteau, 11 Drew Mitchell; 10 Bernard Foley, 9 Will Genia;

1 Scott Sio, 2Stephen Moore, 3 Sekope Kepu, 4 Kane Douglas, 5 Rob Simmons, 6 Scott Fardy, 7 Michael Hooper, 8 Ben McCalman.

Substitutes: 16 Tatafu Polota-Nau, 17 James Slipper, 18 Greg Holmes, 19 Dean Mumm, 20 Sean McMahon, 21 Nick Phipps, 22 Matt Toomua, 23 Quade Cooper.

SCOTLAND

15 Stuart Hogg; 14 Sean Maitland, 13 Mark Bennett, 12 Peter Horne 11 Tommy Seymour; 10 Finn Russell,  9 Greig Laidlaw;

1 Alasdair Dickinson, 2 Ross Ford, 3 Willem Nel, 4 Jonny Gray, 5 Richie Gray, 6 Blair Cowan, 7 John Hardie, 8 David Denton. 


Substitutes: 
16 Fraser Brown, 17 Gordon Reid, 18 Jon Welsh, 19 Tim Swinson, 20 Josh Strauss, 21 Henry Pyrgos, 22 Richie Vernon, 23 Sean Lamont.

Riskysports wrote:

GLove39 wrote:

Tattie Scones RRN wrote:Oh dear.

The feicin deluded optimism is starting to creep in......

On that note... https://vine.co/v/eE9LPvXDFph

You really need to get out more often :-)

Good montage takes time.

Saving the Lego for later?
Keep it up, G! Clever stuff.

Glove....have you dubbed the boy's voice from the Visit Scotland ad?

Looks as we expected really, other than the switch of Scott for Horne (although Cotter is saying that it was enforced).

Wilson being dumped for Cowan is an excellent decision, as is the fact that Cotter won't even bench Duncan Weir, choosing Vernon as cover for centre and presumably relying on the fact that Horne could switch to 10.

The Cowan decision really is the key one for me. Recognition that a failure to compete on the floor will likely result in a 50 point reversal.

Tattie Scones RRN wrote:Glove....have you dubbed the boy's voice from the Visit Scotland ad?

Have indeed stolen Neil Oliver's soothing tones!

There was me thinking you'd be an ideal replacement as presenter on 'Coast'.

Fa bill-yuns and bill-yuns of yeahrz... theeze roahrqz...

Cowan in for Wilson is a good move.

Potentially, Pocock and Hooper vs Hardie and Cowan.. Interesting battle there. I would have liked to have seen strauss start at 8 instead of Denton for this one, but hopefully he'll make a big impact off the bench.

bsando wrote:Cowan in for Wilson is a good move.

Potentially, Pocock and Hooper vs Hardie and Cowan.. Interesting battle there. I would have liked to have seen strauss start at 8 instead of Denton for this one, but hopefully he'll make a big impact off the bench.

I would have done the same with Strauss and Denton, but I think it's a close call either way. It'll be handy having Strauss coming off the bench fresh.

Well looking at that team it’s probably fair to say if we’re going to lose we’re going to go down swinging – that kind of team will need to play fast and loose.

Two athletic locks, a very athletic back row and a small but very skilful midfield.

We need to play the Glasgow way essentially and just feckin go for it!

I’d rather we lost 40-30 than 20-3.

The bench isn’t overly inspiring – Reid will do a job, Struass should make an impact but we’re probably not going to see any of Pyrgos and Welsh Strokosh, Vernon and Lamont are all fairly meh.

40-30!!!!! Fast and loose v Aus. ???? You might need a license to watch that - Keep it tight and beat them up is your best chance - I would have brought Jim Hamilton back just for this one and maybe Finlay Calder and John Jeffrey

RubyGuby wrote:40-30!!!!! Fast and loose v Aus. ???? You might need a license to watch that - Keep it tight and beat them up is your best chance - I would have brought Jim Hamilton back just for this one and maybe Finlay Calder and John Jeffrey

I’m not saying it’s the best way to beat them, it is the way we have to play with that team selection.

A 6ft 4 second row
2 opensides in the backrow
Both centres under 6ft and 14st when wet

We certainly can’t outmuscle them! Especially when both Wales and England tried and failed.

RDW_Scotland wrote:

RubyGuby wrote:40-30!!!!! Fast and loose v Aus. ???? You might need a license to watch that - Keep it tight and beat them up is your best chance - I would have brought Jim Hamilton back just for this one and maybe Finlay Calder and John Jeffrey

I’m not saying it’s the best way to beat them, it is the way we have to play with that team selection.

A 6ft 4 second row
2 opensides in the backrow
Both centres under 6ft and 14st when wet

We certainly can’t outmuscle them! Especially when both Wales and England tried and failed.

I agree. England and Wales tried to strangle them and failed spectacularly in one particular case. We don't have the power to bludgeon them to death so we'll have to chuck it about a bit. Just like the great unwashed!

Fair Play Radge - When will we see yer likes again?

Radge is apparently available for pantomime and bar mitzvahs and can sing quite the pretty tune. Those ex-props are talented, don't you know.

George Carlin wrote:Radge is apparently available for pantomime and bar mitzvahs and can sing quite the pretty tune. Those ex-props are talented, don't you know.

and handsome.... don't forget handsome.

http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-union/rugby-world-cup/rugby-world-cup-2015-wallabies-suffer-double-blow-with-israel-folau-and-david-pocock-ruled-out-of-clash-with-scotland-20151015-gkan0f.html

Big blows to the Wallabies...

No Pocock and Folau - we're going to win again!!!

1. Scott Sio (14 Tests)

2. Stephen Moore (c) (99 Tests)

3. Sekope Kepu (60 Tests)

4. Kane Douglas (20 Tests)

5. Rob Simmons (57 Tests)

6. Scott Fardy (27 Tests)

7. Michael Hooper (vc) (48 Tests)

8. Ben McCalman (44 Tests)

9. Will Genia (63 Tests)

10. Bernard Foley (24 Tests)

11. Drew Mitchell (67 Tests)

12. Matt Giteau (99 Tests)

13. Tevita Kuridrani (28 Tests)

14. Adam Ashley-Cooper (vc) (111 Tests)

15. Kurtley Beale (57 Tests)



Reserves



16. Tatafu Polota-Nau (58 Tests)

17. James Slipper (71 Tests)

18. Greg Holmes (21 Tests)

19. Dean Mumm (40 Tests)

20. Sean McMahon (6 Tests)

21. Nick Phipps (36 Tests)

22. Matt Toomua (29 Tests)

23. Quade Cooper (58 Tests)

RuggerRadge2611 wrote:

George Carlin wrote:Radge is apparently available for pantomime and bar mitzvahs and can sing quite the pretty tune. Those ex-props are talented, don't you know.

and handsome.... don't forget handsome.

Fixed

RDW_Scotland wrote:No Pocock and Folau - we're going to win again!!!

1. Scott Sio (14 Tests)

2. Stephen Moore (c) (99 Tests)

3. Sekope Kepu (60 Tests)

4. Kane Douglas (20 Tests)

5. Rob Simmons (57 Tests)

6. Scott Fardy (27 Tests)

7. Michael Hooper (vc) (48 Tests)

8. Ben McCalman (44 Tests)

9. Will Genia (63 Tests)

10. Bernard Foley (24 Tests)

11. Drew Mitchell (67 Tests)

12. Matt Giteau (99 Tests)

13. Tevita Kuridrani (28 Tests)

14. Adam Ashley-Cooper (vc) (111 Tests)

15. Kurtley Beale (57 Tests)



Reserves



16. Tatafu Polota-Nau (58 Tests)

17. James Slipper (71 Tests)

18. Greg Holmes (21 Tests)  

19. Dean Mumm (40 Tests)

20. Sean McMahon (6 Tests)

21. Nick Phipps (36 Tests)

22. Matt Toomua (29 Tests)

23. Quade Cooper (58 Tests)

Stifle dangerous optimistic feelings...

Yeah that's a strong team. I'm interested to see how our scrum gets on.

Riskysports wrote:

RuggerRadge2611 wrote:

George Carlin wrote:Radge is apparently available for pantomime and bar mitzvahs and can sing quite the pretty tune. Those ex-props are talented, don't you know.

and handsome.... don't forget handsome.

Fixed

That one hurt

You wonder if both players would have played if they had been playing anyone but Scotland (the lowest ranked team in the QFs)

I think they'll do a job of it (Australia) but we'll put up a good fight. I predict a 7 point loss. That's my optimistic viewpoint!

2 tries to 3, I reckon!

NeilyBroon wrote:I think they'll do a job of it (Australia) but we'll put up a good fight. I predict a 7 point loss. That's my optimistic viewpoint!

2 tries to 3, I reckon!

Just like me with Wales v SA Neily, I'm settling for the bonus point defeat

Lovely news about Pocock, in a sporting sort of way.....

I wonder if Cotter would have selected Cowan had he known!

funnyExiledScot wrote:Lovely news about Pocock, in a sporting sort of way.....

I wonder if Cotter would have selected Cowan had he known!

Regardless of Pocock or not, given our rucking speed I think it would be an excellent move, regardless of who we were playing. This is the first Cotter selection I've not had any gripes with. Even Stroks on the bench is forgivable given our lack of second row options.

Also worth a mention that should we somehow win, we will leapfrog the English in the rankings...

I like the look of the squad, it's as good as we could have hoped for. Just as long as Hooper doesn't knee both our locks in the back and leave us with some crazy combination of Denton & Vernon in the 2nd row!

The appeal for Ford and Gray is tomorrow.

Let's hope their bans are reduced to a week so they can play in the Semi Final!

RDW_Scotland wrote:The appeal for Ford and Gray is tomorrow.

Let's hope their bans are reduced to a week so they can play in the Semi Final!

I'm not sure Frodo could deal with lifting the Webb Ellis, it must be the size of his torso

NeilyBroon wrote:

funnyExiledScot wrote:Lovely news about Pocock, in a sporting sort of way.....

I wonder if Cotter would have selected Cowan had he known!

Regardless of Pocock or not, given our rucking speed I think it would be an excellent move, regardless of who we were playing. This is the first Cotter selection I've not had any gripes with. Even Stroks on the bench is forgivable given our lack of second row options.

Agreed, although I do think there's a case for Josh Strauss to start. Still, Cowan is infinitely better than Wilson or Strokosch.

NeilyBroon wrote:

RDW_Scotland wrote:The appeal for Ford and Gray is tomorrow.

Let's hope their bans are reduced to a week so they can play in the Semi Final!

I'm not sure Frodo could deal with lifting the Webb Ellis, it must be the size of his torso

Not to mention the fact that if Scotland won the world cup, the Mayan apocalypse would probably be in full flow

RDW_Scotland wrote:The appeal for Ford and Gray is tomorrow.

Let's hope their bans are reduced to a week so they can play in the Semi Final!

Did the QC delay things so that he could charge weekend rates?? I'm fairly convinced this could have been dealt with quicker, regardess of the appeal.

funnyExiledScot wrote:

RDW_Scotland wrote:The appeal for Ford and Gray is tomorrow.

Let's hope their bans are reduced to a week so they can play in the Semi Final!

Did the QC delay things so that he could charge weekend rates?? I'm fairly convinced this could have been dealt with quicker, regardess of the appeal.

Absolutely - it very much opens the unfortunate situation of a ban being revoked, yet the players till misses the game because it took so long.

RDW_Scotland wrote:

funnyExiledScot wrote:

RDW_Scotland wrote:The appeal for Ford and Gray is tomorrow.

Let's hope their bans are reduced to a week so they can play in the Semi Final!

Did the QC delay things so that he could charge weekend rates?? I'm fairly convinced this could have been dealt with quicker, regardess of the appeal.

Absolutely - it very much opens the unfortunate situation of a ban being revoked, yet the players till misses the game because it took so long.

I think there is zero chance of the bans being dropped - just hopefully reduced

Lawyers never like to admit they were wrong and will charge you lots to tell you how right they were, even if it is a different right then they started with

I don't mean Gray and Ford's bans being reduced to nothing - more commenting on a situation that could arise given things take so long.

Riskysports wrote:

RDW_Scotland wrote:

funnyExiledScot wrote:

RDW_Scotland wrote:The appeal for Ford and Gray is tomorrow.

Let's hope their bans are reduced to a week so they can play in the Semi Final!

Did the QC delay things so that he could charge weekend rates?? I'm fairly convinced this could have been dealt with quicker, regardess of the appeal.

Absolutely - it very much opens the unfortunate situation of a ban being revoked, yet the players till misses the game because it took so long.

I think there is zero chance of the bans being dropped - just hopefully reduced

Lawyers never like to admit they were wrong and will charge you lots to tell you how right they were, even if it is a different right then  they started with

Get out of here. I have no issues admitting my mistakes. Hasn't happened yet mind you.

Won't miss the commentator saying (in a slightly strangled excited way) poCOCK! every couple of minutes

Scotland line up looks v good and fairly spot on with players that are available.
For me that is the correct back row to go with. Very good balance amongst the three and will be a real menace. Work rate will be increased as well with having Cowan instead of wilson. Cowan is someone who can play equally well at 6,7 or 8.
Front row is strong, ford has played well but so to has brown, may offer slightly more around the pitch in open play and certainly tackles very hard and carries well.
Back line looks exciting, lots have said about Horne and Bennett being light weight. Neither of them are big basteraud, nonu type monsters but they aren't really that lightweight either. Bennett is just under 15st these days and Horne is not far off that now. It's not all about weight and size, we had Morrison and Henderson for years yet look how crap they were.
They work well in defence together and are quick off the line to close opposition down early.
In attack that back line is about as attacking as it gets, expect Russell and Horne to try get Bennett on kuidrani's outside shoulder as an attacking point. Kuidrani has good pace over 40-50m but he doesn't have the quickest acceleration.
Bench has decent impact from it, Strauss, pyrgos, veer on and especially lamont can all come on and offer good impact. The front five we are a little short on impact so expect close to 80mins for them.

Australia have named a v strong team. Pocock and folau are out but their replacements are both very good players especially mccalman. Bigger than pocock but also like pocock very good at the breakdown and turnovers. Big ball carrier as well.
Don't think oz lose anything with not having folau, not been in great form so far whereas when Beale has played he looks v sharp especially in attack. Defence might be the only slight question mark over him. In recent games when Beale has played full back him and AAC have switched with Beale going to wing on defence so expect similar.

Strokosch lock replacement, when i thought i had seen it all

He shouldn't be in the 23 altogether.

Denton is probably lock replacement, although I don't think that makes things any better.

Strokosh is certainly training as lock and been doing scrum and line out practice there. Strauss can also play lock and did play there quite a bit in South Africa.

The real nightmare would be if Richie Gray goes down injured early - our tallest player would then be Denton at 6ft 5 up against two muckle Australian locks

That would be a disaster. I fear for the lineout on Sunday as it stands.

Rory Sutherland has been withdrawn from the game tonight. Sky say the rumour is he as been called up to the Scotland squad

Why would that imply that Ryan Grant is injured too?

Confirmed - Sutherland replaces Grant.

Not sure why...

I think Sutherland will do a job for us. I think he is a better player than Grant

We've got Dickinson and Reid though so he'll only be emergency cover

cakeordeath wrote:I think Sutherland will do a job for us. I think he is a better player than Grant

You think a guy who's played a handful of games for Edinburgh is better than one of our five British Lions?

reallybored wrote:

cakeordeath wrote:I think Sutherland will do a job for us. I think he is a better player than Grant

You think a guy who's played a handful of games for Edinburgh is better than one of our five British Lions?

Do you really think Grant has been the same player since the lions tour?

I'm not agreeing that Sutherland is the better player btw.... (yet)

And to be fair he played a lot of games for Edinburgh last season

Grant has been poor since being called up to The Lions. Sutherland is a much better srummager