Australia will be looking to keep the good times rolling when they take on the Scots at Murrayfield. The Wallabies are enjoying a fantastic time of it on their European tour beating England in their first fixture and then thrashing Wales this past weekend.
Autumn Nations Series
Scotland v Australia
Sunday 24 November – 13:40
Murrayfield, Edinburgh
The Wallabies remain in the hunt for a Grand Slam. With wins over England and Wales thus far, they face what will be arguably their toughest test so far in the form of Scotland.
To Win (80 Mins)
Scotland 54/100 | Draw 23/1 | Australia 31/20
There’s light at the end of the tunnel for Australian fans with Joe Schmidt turning this Wallabies outfit from the laughing stock of world rugby to a side that actually looks like it can compete at the highest level. To think he’s achieved this in less than a year is astonishing but it just goes to show how poorly the Wallabies had been managed before the former Irish head coach’s arrival.
While the Australians had given a decent enough account of themselves before heading on tour – they beat Wales in a two-match mid-year series and while they only managed to bag one win in the Rugby Championship, they did give a decent account of themselves in the tournament as well – they’ve really looked a solid unit since hitting European shores.
They showed good resolve against the English as an injury-time try from replacement winger Max Jorgensen handed them a 37-42 win at Twickenham before they cut loose against the Welsh running in eight tries to claim a 20-52 victory.
Scotland will prove a step up in class for the Wallabies, however, as England are admittedly on the wane while the Welsh are in crisis. The Scots have shown they are a force to be reckoned with under the tutelage of Gregor Townsend look decent this Autumn having given South Africa a real run in a 15-32 defeat that even Rassie Erasmus said flattered his charges, while they racked up big wins over Portugal 59-21 and an admittedly understrength Fiji, who they beat 57-17.
The Scots have made a couple of changes to their back row with Matt Fagerson starting at eight while Jamie Richie gets the nod on the blindside. Further changes to the side see Duhan van der Merve selected on the wing and Blair Kinghorn getting the nod at fullback.
The Aussies have also opted to switch things up in the backs with Harry Potter getting a debut on the wing while NRL convert Joseph-Aukuso Suaal comes in at outside centre.
Verdict: Australia 31/20
I reckon this could well be the game of the weekend in terms of entertainment with both teams playing attacking rugby. I like the total over points markets for this one but I’ll also have a crack on the Wallabies claiming a win,
