The knockout stage is all set for the 2015 Rugby World Cup, with Australia and Scotland set to clash in the closing match of the quarterfinals’ schedule.
Australia continued its stellar year of rugby with a tense victory over Wales in its final pool stage match, while Scotland qualified for the quarters by hanging on and beating out Samoa for the final spot of the preliminary knockout round.
Which of these two hungry teams will prevail and advance to the semis? Read on as we break down this pivotal matchup. For the rest of our coverage on the RWC quarterfinals, check out our previews for Argentina vs. Ireland, New Zealand vs. France and Wales vs. South Africa.
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Australia vs. Scotland Rugby World Cup Quarterfinal Preview
World No. 2 Australia proved many of its pundits wrong after emerging from the Pool of Death unscathed by winning its final group stage match over Wales, 16-5.
[sc:Other240banner ]The victory in Twickenham last weekend was a crucial one for the Wallabies, who have not had much success in the famed English stadium. Prior to last week’s win over Wales and an earlier pool stage victory over host England, the team had 13 lifetime losses and a draw in the arena to just 10 wins.
Once again, it was fly-half Bernard Foley’s leg that booted Australia to the win over the Welsh. He accounted for all of the team’s 15 points in the match with his five penalties, giving him 56 total points – a team-high – on 12 pens, five conversions and a couple of tries in the tournament.
Even more good news could be headed the team’s way, as star back row David Pocock is probable to return in time for the clash with the Scots this weekend after dealing with a nagging hamstring. Pocock was instrumental early on in the pool stage and has two tries to his name in this campaign.
The Aussies will look to continue their stellar year of play, as they have won eight of their nine Tests this year. And they certainly have more momentum that Scotland, who are just 5-8 overall this 2015. Furthermore, the Wallabies won their lone previous encounter with the Scots in the Rugby World Cup – a comfortable 33-16 triumph back in 2003.
Betting on Scotland
A gutsy 36-33 win over Samoa has world No. 9 Scotland in the Rugby World Cup quarterfinals for the first time since 2007.
The Scots were buried early by the Samoans, giving up three tries in the first 20 minutes of their match last weekend. But team captain Greig Laidlaw was not to be denied of quite literally pushing his team through to the knockout stage, scoring the deciding try before the team held off another furious rally from Samoa for the win. Laidlaw finished with 26 points in the contest – the most points scored in a Test by any player from the history of Scotland’s national rugby union team. He currently leads his team with 60 points in the tournament.
Tommy Seymour also continued his remarkable play. The wing scored another try in that game, giving him four-straight tests now with a least one try. Only four other Scots in national team history had accomplished this feat before him.
However, Scotland’s roster was dealt a pair of critical blows after the RWC committee suspended hooker Ross Ford and lock Jonny Gray for the remainder of the tournament due to some illegal/dangerous tackles against the Samoans. The team is still awaiting word on their appeal for the bans, so this story could be a huge factor for the Scots in preparation for their date with the Wallabies.
And it’s a good thing that the Scots have had Australia’s number of late. They won two of their past three Tests against the Aussies, all low-scoring and tightly-contested affairs: 9-6 back in 2012 and 9-8 in ’09. But in general, it’s still those guys from down under who have had the upper hand. The Wallabies are 19-9 all-time against Scotland in international Test matches.
Having said that, it would take a near-perfect outing for the Scots to keep their gritty run alive and defy the slim +10,000 odds of them winning their first-ever Rugby World Cup.
Writer’s Prediction
Australia cruises to the semifinals, 35-18.
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