Sunday 26 November 2017 09:08, UK
Byron McGuigan believes he has joined a Scotland set-up on the verge of "something special".
The Sale wing marked his first international start against Australia with two tries as the Scots registered their biggest ever win against one of the Southern Hemisphere's big three.
The Namibian-born 28-year-old was not even meant to be in Gregor Townsend's starting XV but got his chance when Stuart Hogg suffered a hip injury in the warm-up.
But the reshuffle did not hamper Scotland as they ran in eight tries against an exhausted Wallabies side who played the second half a man light after having Sekope Kepu red-carded for a shocking shoulder barge on Hamish Watson.
Now McGuigan - who qualifies thanks to his Glaswegian mother - thinks his side's record 53-24 win is proof they are ready to become genuine elite level contenders.
"There's definitely something special brewing here," said the former Glasgow back, who made his debut off the bench last week against New Zealand.
"Over the years, Scotland has just been getting better and the last few years since the World Cup has showed that.
"It's great to be involved in this set up. From the management down to the players, everyone is working very hard. It's very good."
Townsend has challenged his team to maintain the belief that saw New Zealand pushed close and the Aussies obliterated as they look ahead to the Six Nations.
The Scotland head coach said: "We said during our camp in St Andrews that the challenge facing us over the next 12 months was a huge one, with us playing every team in the top eight apart from South Africa, but if we played at our best we could win all those games.
"We showed that last week, almost getting the win, and we certainly showed it today. We've got to have that same belief but also the same mindset to play, take the game to the opposition and work hard. That will bring its rewards."
McGuigan put the Scots in front after 17 minutes but the Aussies hit back with Tevita Kuridrani's double.
However, Kepu's dismissal in the final minute of the half left space for Townsend's team to exploit, and they did just that, as Ali Price squeezed over on the stroke of half-time.
With the Aussies gasping for breath, the ruthless Scots ran in six more tries after the break with Sean Maitland, Jonny Gray, Huw Jones, McGuigan, John Barclay and Stuart McInally all crossing over.
The Wallabies did hit back with touchdowns from Kurtley Beale and Lopeti Timani but it was nowhere near enough to contain the rampant Scots.
"The feeling is brilliant," added Townsend. "If we'd lost today it would have been disappointing given how close we came last week. But a lot of the time out there it was better than last week.
"There are still a few things to improve but to come into such a big fixture with some bodies that were tired after last week, all that energy, was brilliant to see.
"We get the energy from the crowd and Murrayfield the last two weeks has been fantastic. It's best atmosphere in the international game just now and its great for our players to experience that and thrive off."
