Let's Beat The Walla-Wallabies

FOOT SOLDIERS of Aristotle's army of Scottish Rugby fans – you can relax today. I am having a break from the complexities of Super Six and Agenda 3. I will return to the subject, once Mr Dodson's marvellous filibuster of corporate double-speak, in his two-part Offside Line interview, has been translated into plain English.

Sean Maitland - back in the Scotland team this afternoon

Today, is all about International Rugby, and our BT Murrayfield meeting with the touring Australians. Since we beat them on their home turn in Sydney during the summer, the Wallabies bave been waiting to hit back, and we will need to replicate the fine form we showed against the All Blacks last Saturday, if we are to emerge with a win today.

I see this one as being yet another tight game, but, it is one we can win, but, just as surely, we could lose it. I expect to be entertained and am reasonably-confident of feeling good at the end.

Losing Alex Dunbar to head injury protocols was a late blow, but, Peter Horne will not let us down, and will offer a different threat to the visitors. It is also good to see Sean Maitland back, although I feel sorry for Lee Jones, being the man to step down – Tommy Seymour owes us for his lacklustre display last week and is maybe lucky to be starting.

I will round-up the international season on Monday, meanwhile, enjoy the day today, and, wrap-up well; it will be cold in Edinburgh.

IT CERTAINLY was not cold in Bloemfontein last night, as Edinburgh lost to the Cheetahs. Such a pity they conceded that injury-time try, which turned a not-too-bad display into a disappointing one.

Some have suggested, Edinburgh ought to have booted the ball into the crowd when the final hooter sounded. Aye, hindsight is a wonderful thing, but, fair play to the team in fancying they could, even at that late stage, keep possession and maybe take it back to a losing bonus point-winning defeat.

As Bryan Easson, who was on analyst duties alongside Hugh Dan, back in Glasgow watching the feed come in, said – Edinburgh's mistakes, of which there were many, can all be fixed, and, there were some heartening performances from an under-strength squad.

Bench strength proved critical

Sadly, in the final analysis, Edinburgh's relative lack of bench strength probably cost them the game. I hate to say it, but, one or two of the fringe players who got on last night may well be looking at being cut from the squad come the end of the season. They are simply not good enough, however, this has been a problem for Scottish rugby since way back in the amateur era.

There were some pluses, the two new South African imports, back on home turf, looked good – now, can they do it at Newport on a dreich Friday night? Some of the attempted off-loads were worthy, but, as yet, Edinburgh just cannot play the high-tempo, continuity rugby which Toony wants the two professional sides to play, mirroring the international team's style – as well as Glasgow can.

But, it has to be reflected on. The only team to go to Bloemfontein and win thus far has been Glasgow, so, Edinburgh need not be too-downhearted.

GLASGOW visit “Ospreylia” - or Swansea as it is better known, tomorrow. Dave Rennie has handed debuts to five of his 23-man squad, so how they go will be interesting.

Sami Vunisa - finally makes his Glasgow debut tomorrow

There are first starts for number eight “Sami” Vunisa – who I saw trundle around to good effect for Marr a couple of weeks back. He's a big lad, who will take a bit of stopping once he gets up to speed. Ahead of him in the pack, big Kiran McDonald also makes his first start, in a young boiler-house partnership with another former Hawks man, Scott Cummings. Scott, I feel, was well worth a run off the bench for Scotland during the AIs. His first cap is not too far off.

Siua Halanukonuka, Hamilton Burr and Kaleem Barreto are all in line for a debut off the bench. I cannot wait to hear how the Welsh commentators on Scrum V get on trying to pronounce the Tongan prop's name, while I am absolutely delighted to see young scrum-half Kaleem Barreto getting his chance, following some outstanding work with Marr this season.

 

Kaleem Barreto, in marvellous form for Marr this season and called-up by Glasgow for Sunday's PRO 14 trip to Swansea

It is never easy in Swansea, but, even with a depleted squad, Glasgow can win. I particularly hope that Lelia Masaga can show us what all the hype was about, he has probably taken longest to settle of all the newcomers this season.

Of course, all the talk in the valleys today is about the Cardiff clash between the All Blacks and the Welsh. The New Zealanders, of course, have scored more points than Wales (who are never beaten) in every Test since 1953, and even without Kieran Reid, I expect them to be too-strong for Warren Gatland's men and maintain that 60-years plus run of out-scoring the Red Dragons.