Rugby Union: Australia remain wary of Scots in rapid rematch

JIM TELFER, the Scotland coach, said his team were in determined mood for today's second Test against Australia in Brisbane.

Emphasising the importance of the match in assessing the overall success of the tour he said: "Ultimately we have to be judged on what we do in the internationals.

"But whatever the result the tour has shown that we are a rugby nation willing to come to the southern hemisphere and to play the best Australia has to offer."

The Scots know that they will face a team high in confidence after their 76-0 win over England two weeks ago and the 45-3 victory against Scotland last Saturday.

Despite that comfortable win Rod Macqueen, the Australia coach, believes his side will still be motivated. "The Scots gave us a very tough game last week," he said. "Their pressure made us make mistakes. I honestly believe it will be a tight Test. Our guys were found wanting under the extreme pressure.

"We will have to improve on our passing and on the number of dropped balls.

"They know a lot more about us now and Scotland won't make the same mistakes."

The tourists had a slight injury problem with their massive tight-head prop Matthew Proudfoot, who picked up a minor ankle knock during training yesterday, but he has been declared fully fit along with London Scottish's Derrick Lee.

Scotland know that if they are to get near Australia they must improve their attacking play. Telfer suggested that nerves may have been the reason for their poor back play in Sydney.

"Some of our players froze on the day - especially the new caps - but hopefully they will have learnt from the experience," he said.

Scotland also will want to change their tactics by opting for a more measured game instead of trying to play a passing game in impossible situations.

The expectation is that Gregor Townsend at stand-off and Rowen Shepherd at centre will kick out of defence rather than trying to run the ball from within their own 22.

The Scots also know that up front they must improve on the their line- out performance with a combination of more accurate throwing and better deployment of their ball-winners.

The best part of Scotland's game last week was their defence even though the Wallabies scored five tries.

With try scorers Ben Tune and Matt Burke posing constant threats and the centre pairing of Tim Horan and Daniel Herbert moving into top form the Scots will need to be equally strong in their first-time tackling.

AUSTRALIA (v Scotland, today, Brisbane): M Burke; B Tune, D Herbert, T Horan, J Roff; S Larkham, G Gregan; R Harry, P Kearns, A Blades, T Bowman, J Eales (capt), M Cockbain, T Kefu, D Wilson. Replacements: C Whitaker, N Grey, J Little, W Ofahengaue, O Finegan, D Crowley, J Paul.

SCOTLAND: G Metcalfe; D Lee, C Murray, R Shepherd, S Longstaff; G Townsend, B Redpath; D Hilton, K McKenzie, M Proudfoot, S Murray, S Grimes, R Wainwright (capt), E Peters, G Simpson. Replacements: C Joiner, D Hodge, G Burns, A Roxburgh, S Campbell, G McIlwham, S Brothestone.

Referee: B Campsall (England).