Kick-Off: 0600, 17/06/2017
Stadium: Allianz Stadium
TV: Sky Sports 1
Australian rugby could do with a boost and we’re backing the Wallabies to turn on the style when facing Scotland in Sydney on Saturday.
The hosts’ Super Rugby teams have been struggling badly this season and are set for a reduction in numbers next year.
At international level, though, things are starting to look up as former Leinster coach Michael Cheika gradually brings in new faces to freshen things up.
Cheika may have found the right formula judged on last week’s 37-14 defeat of Fiji and the Wallabies appeal at 91/100 to win by more than 14 points again in our Australia vs Scotland betting tips.
Ex-NRL winger Eto Nabuli becomes the latest debutant this weekend, joining fellow cross-code converts Israel Folau and Karmichael Hunt in a back line possessing far more pace and power than in recent years.
The experienced half-back pairing of Will Genia and Bernard Foley are well-equipped to unleash that talent at just the right moments.
Australia’s pack can still be a weak point at times, but flanker Michael Hooper and number eight Scott Higginbotham do provide stability in this department, while Adam Coleman adds some bite with his tackling.
Townsend chooses to mix things up
Scotland coach Gregor Townsend has opted to ring the changes following a 34-13 win over Italy in Singapore and may pay the price for seeking to give all his travelling party a run out via eight alterations.
“On this tour, we were always keen to make sure that players who were close to selection got an opportunity,” said Townsend. “A few got it last week, a few who were close to selection get it this week.”
That is an admirable approach, but slightly dangerous when taking on a fired-up Wallabies outfit.
Recent encounters between these teams have gone right down to the wire, with Australia only prevailing 35-34 in the 2015 World Cup quarter-finals at Twickenham and 23-22 at Murrayfield due to last-gasp scores.
However, we just feel the Wallabies are back on an upward curve and carrying more self-confidence into this clash, while the Scots are missing some key figures all across the park.
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