Australia captain Stephen Moore expecting another tough test against Scotland
Saturday 12 November 2016 08:58, UK
Australia captain Stephen Moore is expecting another tough encounter against Scotland on Saturday.
Michael Cheika's men edged past Scotland 35-34 in the quarter-finals of last year's Rugby World Cup after Bernard Foley kicked a 79th-minute penalty, which had been wrongly awarded by referee Craig Joubert.
Moore is wary of the threat the Scots pose, especially on home turf at Murrayfield, but is confident his team will be well prepared for whatever their opponents have to offer.
"Scotland haven't played a Test for a while but they are still a very dangerous team, particularly at home," he said.
"They are strong in the forwards with some really effective backs."
Fourteen players who started the World Cup game last year - seven from each side - will feature in this weekend's clash but Moore is unsure if revenge will be on Scottish minds.
"Do we expect a backlash after what happened at Twickenham? I'm not too sure about that," Moore said. "You'll need to ask their players.
"For me, that match is a while ago. There is a lot of players in our team for tomorrow who didn't play in that game and who have never played against Scotland.
"This is the first time they will face Scotland and the first time they will play at this stadium.
"If you look back through the history it has always been a tough game. We have an enormous respect for Scotland and the way they play the game."
Will Genia returns to Australia's starting XV in what is the only change from last weekend's impressive 32-8 win over Wales in Cardiff and Moore is pleased to have a settled line-up.
"You're in a good position when you don't have to change players through injury or what not," he said.
"Obviously Will [Genia] was not available last week so he comes back in."
