Live updates: Scotland vs Wallabies
So what’s at stake for the Wallabies?
As mentioned already, the prospect of the Wallabies claiming the grand slam on their spring tour remains on the cards following the win over Wales and the upset 42-37 defeat of England at Twickenham a fortnight ago.
The Wallabies have only completed a grand slam once before, way back in 1984.
A triumph over Scotland would move the Wallabies a step closer to achieving the feat, although world number two and reigning Six Nations champions, Ireland, are their final opponent in Dublin next Sunday morning (AEDT).
Speaking in Edinburgh in the build-up to the Murrayfield clash, Joe Schmidt insisted he wasn’t looking ahead to Ireland, knowing Scotland poses a huge challenge for his squad.
“Scotland play a fantastic brand of rugby,” said New Zealand-born Schmidt, who coached Ireland to seven wins from eight matches against the Scots.
“They’re quick. During the World Cup, outside of the All Blacks, they played with more width than any other team. So you’ve got to be good across the field.”
It hasn’t been an easy preparation for the Wallabies, who have had to deal with snow and freezing conditions that forced them to train on artificial turf.
Prior to the convincing win over Portugal, world number six Scotland played two Tests to kick off its autumn internationals campaign.
The Scots thrashed Fiji 57-17 but went down to the world champion Springboks 32-15.
The Greenock granny pays a visit
We mentioned Sione Tuipulotu qualifies to play for Scotland through his maternal grandmother, as does his brother Mosese.
Jaqueline Thomson hails from Greenock on Scotland’s west coast but moved to Australia decades ago.
In the lead-up to this morning’s (AEDT) Test there was an emotional reunion in Edinburgh involving Sione and Mosese, their mother Angelina, and 77-year-old Jaqueline, otherwise known as the “Greenock granny”.
Jaqueline also got to watch Mosese play for Scotland A against Chile on Sunday morning (AEDT).
I challenge you not to tear up watching this … I happily failed.
Aussie-born Tuipulotu to skipper Scots
It’s a proud moment for Sione Tuipulotu, who will captain Scotland against his country of birth.
Tuipulotu, who was born in the Melbourne suburb of Frankston, came through the Victorian junior system to represent Australia at schoolboy and under-20 level.
After appearing for the Melbourne Rebels as their first homegrown player in Super Rugby, Tuipulotu headed overseas and eventually landed in Scotland, where his maternal grandmother was born (more about that in a moment).
The hard-running centre was eligible to play for Scotland and made his Test debut in 2021.
Tuipulotu’s inclusion is among a raft of changes Scotland coach Gregor Townsend made to his line-up to face the Wallabies after opting to field a second-string squad in last weekend’s 59-21 defeat of Portugal.
Former Wallabies back-rower Jack Dempsey, who has been capped 21 times by Scotland, was unavailable for this match because of injury.
Congratulations to number eight Matt Fagerson, who is playing his 50th Test.
Here’s the Scotland squad to take on the Wallabies:
15. Blair Kinghorn
14. Darcy Graham
13. Huw Jones
12. Sione Tuipulotu (c)
11. Duhan van der Merwe
10. Finn Russell
9. Ben White
8. Matt Fagerson
7.Rory Darge
6. Jamie Ritchie
5. Scott Cummings
4. Grant Gilchrist
3. Zander Fagerson
2. Ewan Ashman
1. Pierre Schoeman
Reserves:
16. Dylan Richardson
17. Rory Sutherland
18. Will Hurd
19. Alex Craig
20. Josh Bayliss
21. George Horne
22. Tom Jordan
23. Kyle Rowe
Wallabies make changes
Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt has made several changes to the starting XV that hammered Wales 52-20 in Cardiff last week, including one just hours out from the start of the Scotland Test.
Lock Jeremy Williams has been ruled out due to illness, with Lukhan Salakaia-Loto moving from the reserves bench to the starting line-up.
Nick Frost, who was to be rested, takes a spot on the bench.
In another late change to the squad initially announced, hooker Matt Faessler — a three-try hero against the Welsh — was forced out of the Test due to a calf injury.
His place has been taken by Brandon Paenga-Amosa, with Billy Pollard named as the reserve rake on the bench.
Elsewhere in the pack, Harry Wilson is back from concussion to captain the Wallabies at number eight, while fellow back-rower Fraser McReight has been rested and replaced by Perth product Carlo Tizzano.
In the backs, Jake Gordon has been named at scrumhalf and code hopper Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii returns to the starting XV to pair up with Len Ikitau in the centres.
Meanwhile, Harry Potter has been selected on the wing to make his Test debut.
England-born Potter is the 18th debutant Schmidt has used in first season as Wallabies boss.
I could make a cringeworthy Harry Potter reference at this stage but you’ve been spared, as I’ve never read any of the books or watched the films so I’ve got nothin’.
Here’s the Wallabies’ squad to face Scotland:
15. Tom Wright
14. Andrew Kellaway
13. Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii
12. Len Ikitau
11. Harry Potter
10. Noah Lolesio
9. Jake Gordon
8. Harry Wilson (c)
7. Carlo Tizzano
6. Rob Valetini
5. Will Skelton
4. Lukhan Salakaia-Loto
3. Allan Alaalatoa
2. Brandon Paenga-Amosa
1. Angus Bell
Reserves:
16. Billy Pollard
17. Isaac Kailea
18. Zane Nonggorr
19. Nick Frost
20. Langi Gleeson
21. Tate McDermott
22. Ben Donaldson
23. Max Jorgensen
Hello there!
G’day!
Welcome to ABC Sport’s digital coverage of the Wallabies’ Test against Scotland at the famous Murrayfield in Edinburgh.
I’m Luke Pentony and it’s my pleasure to have you on board for the latest stop in the Wallabies’ spring tour of the Home Nations.
Wallabies fans are up and about with the coveted grand slam still a possibility, but the tourists face a talented Scottish line-up looking to rain on their parade.
It promises to be an exciting clash so stick with us, whether it be morning, afternoon or evening in your neck of the woods!
