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Finn Russell explains why it was 'a big result' to beat Wallabies

By PA
(Photo by PA)

Finn Russell believes Scotland are ready to establish themselves as one of the top rugby teams in the world. The stand-off kicked the decisive penalty in Sunday’s 15-13 win over Australia as Gregor Townsend’s side notched their third victory this year over teams currently in the world’s top six. The burgeoning Scots are currently ranked seventh and Russell reckons they are well poised to move back into the top five for the first time since 2018 when they were fifth – the highest they have been since the ranking system began in 2004.

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He said: “In my time we have always been up there in the top ten, which is great, but we have got to push to get to the top five, if not higher. That is why it was a big result for us to beat Australia. We have beaten them the last three times we have played them.

“There wasn’t an expectation that we would beat them because they are still the No3 team in the world but within the squad, we were confident going into that game and we knew if we played well, we would have the ability to beat them. That is the level of expectation we have got in this group just now, that we know we can knock over the No3 team in the world.

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The ‘slow poison’ of the Springboks XV, according to Jacques Nienaber

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The ‘slow poison’ of the Springboks XV, according to Jacques Nienaber

“We can break into the top five. If we get the results we are looking for in the next few games and then into the Six Nations, we will be well on our way up there. I believe we can.”

Russell feels a key factor in the Scotland resurgence is their ability to hold their nerve in tight matches against top-level sides such as the Six Nations wins over England and France, and last Sunday’s triumph over the Wallabies.

 

It gives the Racing 92 player belief that they are equipped to pull off another big result when world champions South Africa visit Murrayfield next Saturday after making three XV changes following their win over Wales. He said: “That game on Sunday was one we potentially might have lost in the past when the narrow margins would go against us but now we seem to have changed that and instead of losing by fine margins on Sunday, we managed to win it.

“There is a lot of excitement building around this team and where we are going. We have been building over the last three, four, five years to get to where we are now and it feels like we are starting to turn a corner in terms of getting wins from more of the narrow games, which is great.

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“Against South Africa, we are going to have to be at our best again and carry that same belief because it might be another narrow game. Australia managed to beat South Africa twice in the summer and we have managed to find a way to beat Australia so why can’t we do the same again this weekend? It’s a great challenge for us but we’ve got the belief we can do it.”

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Trevor 1 hours ago
Will forgotten Wallabies fit the Joe Schmidt model?

Thanks Brett.. At last a positive article on the potential of Wallaby candidates, great to read. Schmidt’s record as an international rugby coach speaks for itself, I’m somewhat confident he will turn the Wallaby’s fortunes around …. on the field. It will be up to others to steady the ship off the paddock. But is there a flaw in my optimism? We have known all along that Australia has the players to be very competitive with their international rivals. We know that because everyone keeps telling us. So why the poor results? A question that requires a definitive answer before the turn around can occur. Joe Schmidt signed on for 2 years, time to encompass the Lions tour of 2025. By all accounts he puts family first and that’s fair enough, but I would wager that his 2 year contract will be extended if the next 18 months or so shows the statement “Australia has the players” proves to be correct. The new coach does not have a lot of time to meld together an outfit that will be competitive in the Rugby Championship - it will be interesting to see what happens. It will be interesting to see what happens with Giteau law, the new Wallaby coach has already verbalised that he would to prefer to select from those who play their rugby in Australia. His first test in charge is in July just over 3 months away .. not a long time. I for one wish him well .. heaven knows Australia needs some positive vibes.

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Bull Shark 5 hours ago
Jake White: Are modern rugby players actually better?

Of the rugby I’ve born witness to in my lifetime - 1990 to date - I recognize great players throughout those years. But I have no doubt the game and the players are on average better today. So I doubt going back further is going to prove me wrong. The technical components of the game, set pieces, scrums, kicks, kicks at goal. And in general tactics employed are far more efficient, accurate and polished. Professional athletes that have invested countless hours on being accurate. There is one nation though that may be fairly competitive in any era - and that for me is the all blacks. And New Zealand players in general. NZ produces startling athletes who have fantastic ball skills. And then the odd phenomenon like Brooke. Lomu. Mcaw. Carter. Better than comparing players and teams across eras - I’ve often had this thought - that it would be very interesting to have a version of the game that is closer to its original form. What would the game look like today if the rules were rolled back. Not rules that promote safety obviously - but rules like: - a try being worth 1 point and conversion 2 points. Hence the term “try”. Earning a try at goals. Would we see more attacking play? - no lifting in the lineouts. - rucks and break down laws in general. They looked like wrestling matches in bygone eras. I wonder what a game applying 1995 rules would look like with modern players. It may be a daft exercise, but it would make for an interesting spectacle celebrating “purer” forms of the game that roll back the rules dramatically by a few versions. Would we come to learn that some of the rules/combinations of the rules we see today have actually made the game less attractive? I’d love to see an exhibition match like that.

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