Hoots mon, that's trash talk

By DAVID LEGGAT

BRISBANE - Of all the pre-match bluster served up by coaches and players at this World Cup, an offering by Australia's Eddie Jones tops the lot.

In the countdown to tonight's quarter-final against Scotland, Jones muttered darkly about the prospect of Scottish violence at Suncorp Stadium.

There was a reference to the Lions' brawling second-test win over Australia in 1989 - when Scotland's estimable coach, Ian McGeechan, was on his way to fashioning a second-to-none record with the Lions - and a peculiar reference to the Scots playing "last-resort rugby."

The Scots may be many things, but having a propensity for rugby thuggery is not one of them. Indeed, this lot, on their pool form, look as if they would struggle to fight their way out of a playground.

Still, Jones was looking to up the ante ahead of a game his team are overwhelming favourites to win, asking New Zealand referee Steve Walsh to keep an eye on the Scottish forwards in the ruck and maul phases.

It was all pretty feeble and McGeechan, who has been part of the Scottish rugby fabric for 30 years as player and coach, and retires at the end of this cup, was bemused.

"1989? I'm pleased Eddie's got such a good memory," he quipped.

"And unless I'm mistaken we're all playing last-resort rugby."

Touche Mr McGeechan, who added that "Eddie likes to talk to referees in different ways."

McGeechan said he rated Walsh highly and "if the officials are looking at both sides equally I'll be highly delighted."

Jones' comments might have been a reaction to tough words from Australian Rugby Union chief executive John O'Neill, who this week said it was time the Wallabies pulled their socks up and started played like defending champions and hosts.

Lote Tuqiri gets his chance in place of Joe Roff on the wing tonight, but there is a strong body of opinion that Jones has dumped the wrong winger, with Wendell Sailor (powerful going forward, dodgy at covering his flank) hanging on.

The critical decision is Stirling Mortlock coming in at centre for Matt Burke. If Mortlock, who has been sidelined by injury for a lengthy period before the cup, shows his best line-breaking qualities combined with rugged defence, Jones will have resolved one curly issue.

"This side is an improvement on our previous side. To bring in a fresh Mortlock at this stage is a real bonus," he said.

Jones reckoned he could read the Scottish game plan.

He believed that by bringing big Jason White in on the flank, they would look to attack Australia around the fringes, kick well and tackle out of their skins.

"This will be a really traditional test match and if we play as well as we can, the result will take care of itself," he added.

As Jones was extricating himself from his own mess of a couple of days ago, he was asked how Australia would play the game.

"We'll get stuck in mate. We'll play as thought it's our last game, and it could conceivably be that."

Not exactly the words of a wholly confident coach, you might think. And against any other quarter-final opponents, bar the ones they face tonight, probably justified.

The Scots' campaign has been stung by allegations of players fighting at training, too many late, well-lubricated nights and mutterings of discontent with McGeechan and his long-time running mate, assistant coach Jim Telfer - all, it should be added, fiercely rejected.

Their pool form was so ordinary that a Scottish newspaper used the heading "Fainthearts" to describe one performance.

They do have class in a couple of positions - No 8 Simon Taylor and halfback and captain Bryan Redpath are as good as most in their positions - but if the pack cannot contain the Wallabies, they have no price.

Waikato-raised fullback Glenn Metcalfe is a tidy, wholehearted player, and first five-eighth Chris Paterson is a useful runner and kicker, although having only his second start at test level in the role.

The Scots will need a clever kicking game and must tackle themselves to a standstill.

They have got past the quarter-finals once, in 1991, but with a far superior team to this one. If they do it again tonight it will rank among the biggest of all cup upsets.

Hopefully, the Scots can put the drudgery of their pool play form out of their system and have one final, decent fling left in them.

Even then, it is unlikely to be enough.

* Jones yesterday denied he had qualms with O'Neill's criticisms of Australia's on-field performance.

O'Neill this week put players on notice by telling them the union expected a quality return on the investment made in them and the Wallabies side.

He said no stone had been left unturned to ensure a first-rate preparation for the World Cup.

With Australia on the brink of setting a record for consecutive cup victories (11), Jones said O'Neill was within his rights to issue a warning.

"The CEO's quite entitled to make his opinion. If he decides to do it in the public arena, that's fair enough."

Teams for AUSTRALIA v SCOTLAND ( Brisbane, 11 tonight)

15. Mat Rogers v Glenn Metcalfe

14. Wendell Sailor v Simon Danielli

13. Stirling Mortlock v Gregor Townsend

12. Elton Flatley v A. Henderson

11. Lote Tuqiri v Kenny Logan

10. Stephen Larkham v Chris Paterson

9. George Gregan (c) v Bryan Redpath

8. David Lyons v Simon Taylor

7. Phil Waugh v Cameron Mather

6. George Smith v Jason White

5. David Giffin v Stuart Grimes

4. Nathan Sharpe v Nathan Hines

3. Ben Darwin v Bruce Douglas

2. Brendan Cannon v Gordon Bulloch

1. Bill Young v Tom Smith

Reserves

Australia: Jeremy Paul, Al Baxter, Justin Harrison, Matt Cockbain, Chris Whitaker, Matt Giteau, Joe Roff.

Scotland: Rob Russell, Gordon McIlwham, Scott Murray, Jon Petrie, Michael Blair, James McLaren, Ben Hinshelwood.



Full World Cup coverage