RUGBY : Andy Robinson reckons his Scotland side need look no further than Saturday afternoon’s opponents for evidence of what a winning mentality can achieve.
Andy Robinson reckons his Scotland side need look no further than Saturday afternoon’s opponents for evidence of what a winning mentality can achieve.
In Australia, Scotland are facing a country for whom a culture of success is promoted from birth. Despite their relatively small population and playing base, the Wallabies have reached three World Cup finals, more than any other nation.
“Whenever you play Australia, their mindset is that they are the most competitive animal that you can meet,” Robinson said. “They will compete at anything and this is a young team that really is developing well.”
Australia arrive at Murrayfield having beaten England as well as drawing with Ireland on their current European tour.
They have also won their last 16 meetings with Scotland going back 27 years.
Robinson said: “We know how dangerous they are and that we’ve got to raise how we’re going to perform, and raise it for the whole 80 minutes.”
Scotland dominated the set piece in last weekend’s opening autumn international against Fiji.
But Robinson warned: “We’re not scrummaging against Fiji; we’re scrummaging against a dominant eight and there is a job to be done there.
“I’ve explained to the players that set piece is going to be a key battleground for us, and while their line-out has been under pressure on this tour, it will be against England and Ireland, so we know they’ll have been working on getting their systems in place there as well.”
