Scotland no pivotal test for Wallabies
Berrick Barnes looks on during the Waratah's round 15 Super Rugby match with the Hurricanes at Allianz Stadium on 2 June 2012.
Kiwis may have their `first’ and `second’ five-eighths but the Wallabies are living a nightmare over their options at pivot right now. As the Wallabies prepare for next Tuesday’s season-opening one-off Test against Scotland at Hunter Stadium, they’ll do so with slim pickings in the No.10 jumper.
Berrick Barnes will wear what’s proving to be tainted jersey after a deplorable run of injuries beset Australia’s other five-eighth options.
With James O’Connor, Kurtley Beale and Christian Lealiifano all out of contention and Quade Cooper deemed not ready to return to international rugby, Robbie Deans had little choice but to pick Barnes despite average form for the lamentable Waratahs.
With a new captain in David Pocock and five uncapped players (including a couple of Kiwis in centre Mike Harris and winger Joe Tomane) expect the home side to be rough around the edges.
But Scotland’s standing in world rugby is reflected in Sportingbet’s odds for the match: the Wallabies $1.13 with the visitors $6.00.
Despite the personnel don’t expect a repeat of the 2011 season-starter where the Australians had their pants pulled down against Samoa. It simply won’t be tolerated.
And to be frank, it’s pretty hard to see an upset happening.
Disregard the 9-8 last-up loss in 2009 where Matt Giteau missed some goals your grandmother could’ve made.
The Wallabies have an 18-8 all-time record against the Scots but took out 16 in a row before the Murrayfield mishap. The Scots have won just once in Australia and that was back in 1982.
Their most recent record doesn’t make great reading either.
Scotland failed to progress past the group stage of the 2011 World Cup and they were winless in the 2012 Six Nations where they suffered the ignominy of losing to Italy. They scored just four tries in five games.
Expect their main route to the scoreboard to come via penalty goals – but even that isn’t what it was with the retirement of all time pointscorer Chris Paterson at the end of last year.
In short the Wallabies should win comfortably. If they don’t it may be worth turning your betting attention to Wales. The Six Nations champions are a team on the rise and will surely sniff an upset in their three Test series to follow against Australia.
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