Austin Healey has picked out Scotland’s “real strength” that could help them to victory over Australia in their Autumn Nations Series finale, in a game Matt Giteau thinks will be “spicy”.
Scotland host the Wallabies at Murrayfield on Sunday, November 24, live on TNT Sports and discovery+.
Scotland have won two of three matches so far in their Autumn Nations Series campaign, only losing to world champions South Africa, between heavy victories over Fiji and Portugal.
“What’s really impressive is how they work the ball to the outside, that’s where their real strength is,” said former England international Healey about Scotland on the Autumn Nations Rugby Show on Quest.
“Yes they’ve got Finn Russell, but outside him, they’ve got Huw Jones, who for me is the Lions’ outside centre, there’s no other 13 playing better than him currently playing in the Lions, potentially or next year.
“I really think this is where their opportunities will come, they’ve got to back themselves to play that same way against Australia who are in a rich vein of form.
“And for me, I think Scotland are going to win.”
They will be looking to complete a perfect tour with victories against Scotland and Ireland.
“It’s going to be a great match,” said former Australia international Giteau.
“This is a big Test. I believe people from the southern hemisphere underestimate how good Scotland are.
“I think Scotland are a great team, they’ve got an amazing back line especially. Jack Dempsey, Sione Tuipulotu as captain – it’s going to be a spicy one this weekend.”
Head coach Gregor Townsend is expecting a “very tough game” against Australia, who are coached by former Ireland boss Joe Schmidt.
“They’ve improved,” said Townsend. “Just playing the Rugby Championship you’re better on the back of that because you’ve got six games against three of the top teams in the world now.
“Argentina are obviously in the top five and South Africa and New Zealand are in the top two, so getting that experience to play each of those teams twice will make you better.
“Joe Schmidt, who is a brilliant coach, has spent time with them now and they have some really good players.
“They may have gone through a little dip but they’ve got all their squad available and they’ve even been able to make changes in the back of England and bring in guys like [Will] Skelton and could make them stronger going into the game. It’s going to be a very tough game.”
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