. Joe Schmidt’s men are resurgent after upsetting England and walloping Wales. They are playing high-speed, ultra-tough, adrenaline-charged rugby with style and a smile. Beat the boys in blue in Edinburgh and they get a golden shot at history, with only Ireland standing between them and Australia’s first grand slam in 40 years.
This will be the 35th Test in a fiercely-contested 97-year history between the nations. In their last six clashes at this arena, each have three victories apiece, with the last two going to the wire – Scotland winning 15-13 in 2021, Australia 16-15 in 2022. This clash will be different. Both teams are in the midst of a points-scoring frenzy – Scotland have piled on 131 in three Tests, Australia 96 from two – and both will go all out.
Having spanked Fiji 57-17 and Portugal 59-21, and given South Africa a scare in a 32-15 defeat, the No 6-ranked Scots are formidable, with a tough pack, ravenous loose forwards, a maestro fly-half in Finn Russell and a speed-to-burn backline of Sione Tuipulotu, Darcy Graham and Duhan van der Merwe. “It will be very tough,” said Schmidt. “They play a fast game and put massive pressure on at the breakdown.”
But to the surprise of many, Australia will meet Scotland on level terms. Wallabies scrum coach Mike Cron has forged a world-class tight five of his own from a young front row of Angus Bell and Matt Faessler and locks Nick Frost and Jeremy Williams. The Wallabies backrowers hunt like wolves, and their wings Andrew Kellaway and Max Jorgensen and fullback Tom Wright have been running wild, fast and hot.
For both sets of fans, most eyes will be on the players earning the most money. Scotland’s Finn Russell pockets AU$1.95m a year with Bath (second only to New Zealand’s Richie Mo’unga at …
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