RUGBY : Nathan Hines could not care less if he has to put up with a bit of stick after helping Scotland beat his native Australia for the first time in 27 years.
Nathan Hines could not care less if he has to put up with a bit of stick after helping Scotland beat his native Australia for the first time in 27 years.
Wagga Wagga-born Hines played his part in one of the greatest rearguard victories in recent Test history on Saturday night and admitted the result was one of the most pleasing of his career.
Yet, he insisted it was not about getting one over on the country of his birth, and said: “I’m not really too bothered to be honest! I’m just worried about beating a good side.”
He added: “It meant a lot to me because of the performance that the guys put in.
“They really put their heart and soul into it and it was one of the gutsiest performances I’ve ever seen. I’m just very proud of our guys.”
Although they did defend magnificently, Scotland were let off the hook on numerous occasions on Saturday, climaxing in Matt Giteau’s missed conversion in stoppage-time that handed them a 9-8 win.
Hines said: “I was hoping it wasn’t going to go over but in that position, with a world-class kicker like Giteau, you’d back him every time.”
Former Perpignan forward Hines insisted Scotland deserved their slice of luck and believes their performance proved they can keep the best in the world at bay.
“If we can dig it out like that in every game, we’re going to be in with a shot no matter who we’re playing,” he said.
“We’ve got a good confidence about ourselves and know that, under the pump, we can defend for nearly 80 minutes and get a win.”
