Scotland lock Richie Gray was included Tuesday in the starting XV to
face world champions New Zealand at Murrayfield on Sunday, subject to
passing a fitness test on an ankle injury.
Scotland were the most successful of all the 'Home Nations' during their
respective southern hemisphere tours earlier this year, upsetting the
odds to beat Australia before defeating Fiji and then scraping a win
over Samoa.
Head coach Andy Robinson has made five changes to the starting XV for the 17-16 victory over Samoa in Apia in June.
Jim Hamilton, who missed the tour because of disciplinary problems
incurred while playing for Gloucester, returned to partner star lock
Gray in the second row while fit-again back-row forward Kelly Brown was
recalled for his 50th cap and first as Scotland captain.
In the backs, centre Nick de Luca and scrumhalf Mike Blair replace the
injured pair of Joe Ansbro and Chris Cusiter respectively while Geoff
Cross came in for tighthead prop Euan Murray, unavailable because his
religious beliefs prevent him playing on a Sunday.
A sell-out crowd of 67 144 is expected to see Scotland make their latest
bid for a first victory over New Zealand and Robinson urged his side to
follow the example of Australia, who ended the All Blacks' run of 16
straight test wins with an 18-18 draw in Brisbane last month.
"For our first game of the season we will really need to start well and keep the game simple," said Robinson.
"New Zealand are the world champions and they perform the basic skills,
well, under the highest pressure," former England flanker and coach
Robinson added.
"We need to step up from the (European) summer tour and be ready to go
toe to toe in a physical contest, just as Australia did most recently
against New Zealand in Brisbane."
New Zealand are due to name their team on Friday.
Scotland have never beaten the All Blacks in 28 tests spread across 107
years, with their best results coming in the contrasting Murrayfield
draws of 1964 (0-0) and 1983 (25-25).
Scotland: 15. Stuart Hogg; 14. Sean Lamont, 13. Nick de Luca,
12. Matt Scott, 11. Tim Visser; 10. Greig Laidlaw, 9. Mike Blair; 8.
Kelly Brown (capt), 7.Ross Rennie, 6. Alasdair Strokosch; 5. Jim
Hamilton, 4. Richie Gray; 3. Geoff Cross, 2. Ross Ford, 1. Ryan Grant
Replacements: 16. Scott Lawson, 17. Allan Jacobsen, 18. Kyle
Traynor, 19. Alastair Kellock, 20. David Denton, 21. Henry Pyrgos, 22.
Ruaridh Jackson 23rd man: Max Evans
http://www.supersport.com/rugby/international/news/121106/Gray_included_in_Scotland_team_to_face_NZ
No comments:
Post a Comment