Wallabies brace for Scots' ex-Aussie 'triple threat'

Joe Schmidt (left) and Nic White are trying to avoid talk of a possible Wallabies grand slam. (James Gourley/AAP PHOTOS)

Mitigating the influence of "one that got away" and another of world rugby's most elusive talents is the priority for the Wallabies as Joe Schmidt's surprise packets continue their pursuit of an unlikely grand slam sweep.

Knowing the enormity of the challenge of beating bogey side Scotland, the Wallabies are desperately trying to avoid the hype accompanying their audacious attempt to become the first Australian side in 40 years to take down all four home nations in the British Isles.

It's boom or bust at Murrayfield on Monday morning (AEDT) against a nation that has won five of their past nine Tests against Australia stretching back to when the Scots cruelly ended the Wallabies' hopes of an unbeaten grand slam tour in 2009 with a famous 9-8 triumph in Edinburgh.

In fact, the Wallabies' only victories over Scotland in the past decade have been three one-point escapes, including a controversial, last-gasp 35-34 World Cup quarter-final win at Twickenham in 2015.

The Wallabies after their 52-20 rout of Wales.
Nic White says the Wallabies must improve, despite the side's 52-20 rout of Wales.

Little wonder why the Wallabies are refusing to publicly contemplate setting up a momentous all-or-nothing grand slam decider on Saturday week against Schmidt's former Ireland side in Dublin.

"They've always been a tough outfit physically. The forward pack is really good, so we've just got to match that and go," said Wallabies back-rower Langi Gleeson.

Veteran halfback Nic White noted how the Wallabies had been "a bee's" away from falling against England in a tour-opening thriller two weeks ago, and that they must improve even on last Saturday's 52-20 rout of Wales.    

"We fully understand we've got a lot of hard work ahead of us to get to where we want to be," White said.

"We're going to have to be a lot better to come to Murrayfield and get a result against the Scottish side that's just really bloody good at the moment."

Scotland are captained by Victorian-born former Melbourne Rebels centre Sione Tuipulotou, who switched allegiances after failing to crack it at Test level in Australia.

White hailed the powerhouse midfielder a "triple threat".

"You can't stop a guy like that. He's just world-class," White said.

Former Rebels centre Sione Tuipulotou (second left).
Former Rebels centre Sione Tuipulotou (second left) will captain Scotland against the Wallabies.

"He's (got a) low centre of gravity, very powerful, but slick hands and has a good kicking game as well. Looks to be a really smart defender.

"Unfortunately (one that we) let get away and he's going to have a point to prove this weekend."

Dynamic flyhalf Finn Russell is another danger the Wallabies will try to keep in check.

"What you can do is try to limit his impact on the game, but it's impossible to take world-class players like that out of the game," White said.

"He's just that classy and they've got a number of guys that are world-class that we've got to try to limit."

The match kicks off at 12.30am on Monday (AEDT), with Schmidt to name his Wallabies team on Friday.

Tuipulotou's younger brother Mosese, a former NSW Waratahs squad member, could also feature for Scotland.

License this article

What is AAPNews?

For the first time, Australian Associated Press is delivering news straight to the consumer.

No ads. No spin. News straight-up.

Not only do you get to enjoy high-quality news delivered straight to your desktop or device, you do so in the knowledge you are supporting media diversity in Australia.

AAP Is Australia’s only independent newswire service, free from political and commercial influence, producing fact-based public interest journalism across a range of topics including politics, courts, sport, finance and entertainment.

What is AAPNews?
The Morning Wire

Wake up to AAPNews’ morning news bulletin delivered straight to your inbox or mobile device, bringing you up to speed with all that has happened overnight at home and abroad, as well as setting you up what the day has in store.

AAPNews Morning Wire
AAPNews Breaking News
Breaking News

Be the first to know when major breaking news happens.


Notifications will be sent to your device whenever a big story breaks, ensuring you are never in the dark when the talking points happen.

Focused Content

Enjoy the best of AAP’s specialised Topics in Focus. AAP has reporters dedicated to bringing you hard news and feature content across a range of specialised topics including Environment, Agriculture, Future Economies, Arts and Refugee Issues.

AAPNews Focussed Content
Subscription Plans

Choose the plan that best fits your needs. AAPNews offers two basic subscriptions, all billed monthly.

Once you sign up, you will have seven days to test out the service before being billed.

AAPNews Full Access Plan
Full Access
AU$10
  • Enjoy all that AAPNews has to offer
  • Access to breaking news notifications and bulletins
  • Includes access to all AAPNews’ specialised topics
Join Now
AAPNews Student Access Plan
Student Access
AU$5
  • Gain access via a verified student email account
  • Enjoy all the benefits of the ‘Full Access’ plan at a reduced rate
  • Subscription renews each month
Join Now
AAPNews Annual Access Plan
Annual Access
AU$99
  • All the benefits of the 'Full Access' subscription at a discounted rate
  • Subscription automatically renews after 12 months
Join Now

AAPNews also offers enterprise deals for businesses so you can provide an AAPNews account for your team, organisation or customers. Click here to contact AAP to sign-up your business today.

SEVEN DAYS FREE
Download the app
Download AAPNews on the App StoreDownload AAPNews on the Google Play Store