Johnson named interim Scotland coach

Updated December 21, 2012 08:58:53

Australian Scott Johnson has been appointed Scotland head coach on a temporary basis for the Six Nations and next year's tour of South Africa, Scottish Rugby Union (SRU) announced on Friday morning (AEDT).

Johnson had been working as an assistant coach to Andy Robinson, who resigned last month in the wake of a 21-15 loss to Tonga after three and a half years in charge.

"Scott has a wealth of experience of international rugby, which was instrumental in his appointment earlier this year as our senior assistant coach," said SRU chief executive Mark Dodson.

"He has coached with Australia, Wales and the USA and knows what it is to prepare teams to win on the international battleground.

"Scott knows our players and coaches well and is determined to hit the ground running with a successful Six Nations Championship."

Dodson also confirmed that the SRU will continue to seek a long-term successor to Robinson.

Johnson described the appointment as "an honour" and pledged to do his best to get the most out of the players.

The loss to Tonga on November 25 was Scotland's 10th defeat in its last 13 Tests and saw it slump to 12th in the International Rugby Board (IRB) global ranking.

Johnson, who was once caretaker coach of Wales, was appointed as an assistant coach as part of an overhaul that followed Scotland's dismal performance at this year's Six Nations, in which they lost all five games.

The 50-year-old played a part in the successful tour of Australia, Fiji and Samoa, in June this year before losses to New Zealand, South Africa and Tonga in November.

Scotland opens its Six Nations campaign against England at Twickenham on February 2.

AFP

Tags: rugby-union, sport, scotland

First posted December 21, 2012 08:52:17

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Scotland rookie scores brace in Fiji win

Updated June 16, 2012 16:56:52

Winger Tim Visser marked his debut with a pair of tries while fly half Greig Laidlaw scored 22 points as Scotland continued its strong southern hemisphere tour with a 37-25 win over Fiji in Lautoka on Saturday.

Visser's second try in the 72nd minute took the sting out of a Fiji fight-back after the hosts had rallied from 24-11 down at half-time to just a two-point deficit with 12 minutes remaining.

Laidlaw's third penalty had given Scotland some breathing space at 30-25 before Visser crossed for his second try, which Laidlaw converted to cap the scoring.

Andy Robinson's side beat Australia 9-8 in a rain-drenched game in Newcastle on June 5, a result that caused consternation amongst Wallabies supporters as they prepared for their series against Six Nations champion Wales.

Laidlaw, who booted three penalties in that victory over Australia, finished the match against Fiji with 22 points from four conversions, three penalties and his side's first try after some good build-up work by the outside backs.

Fiji fly half Jonetai Ralulu had given the home side an early 6-0 lead before Laidlaw's try and Scotland was never behind for the rest of the match.

Scotland was awarded a penalty try to give them a 14-6 lead before replacement forward Josefa Domolailai grabbed a try to drag the hosts to 14-11.

Edinburgh winger Visser, who was born in the Netherlands and qualifies for Scotland through residency rules, then scored his first try, which Laidlaw converted before he added a penalty to take the visitors into the break with a comfortable 24-11 lead.

However, Fiji was fired up after the break and while Laidlaw slotted his second penalty the hosts got back into the game with some good work by their forwards resulting in winger Waisea Nayacalevu crossing.

Fiji threatened to take control when replacement Metuisela Talebula finished a sweeping movement to get them to 27-25 after Ralulu converted.

Laidlaw, however, extended the lead with his third penalty before Visser crossed for his second try two minutes later to seal the Scottish win.

Reuters

Tags: rugby-union, sport, fiji, scotland, united-kingdom

First posted June 16, 2012 16:56:52

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Five new Wallabies caps for Scotland Test

Updated June 03, 2012 13:43:39

Zimbabwean-born David Pocock will captain a Wallabies side including five new caps in the Tuesday's Test against Scotland in Newcastle.

Pocock, who takes over from the injured James Horwill, will lead the team containing two New Zealand-born backs with Mike Harris and Joe Tomane making their debuts at inside centre and wing respectively.

"Dave has been an established leader within our framework for some time," Wallabies coach Robbie Deans said.

"He's already led the Wallabies in a non-Test match (last year's record-breaking 60-11 win over the Barbarians in London during the Spring Tour) and has handled the job well in difficult circumstances with the Western Force this year."

The other new caps are Reds full-back Luke Morahan, Waratahs blindside flanker Dave Dennis and Brumbies prop Dan Palmer.

A sixth player could potentially make a Test debut, with Brumbies openside flanker Michael Hooper named on the bench.

The selectors opted to go with Waratahs playmaker Berrick Barnes at five-eighth ahead of Quade Cooper, who has played just 120 minutes since returning from knee surgery.

Only seven starters from Australia's last Test against Wales have made the run-on side for Tuesday.

All but five of the starters have been drawn from the Reds and Force, who both had a Super Rugby bye, with Queensland supplying seven of the run-on side.

Harris, who will handle the goalkicking duties, represented New Zealand at under-20 level, but is eligible for Australia on heritage grounds.

Tomane played for the Australian Schoolboys, but spent time with two NRL clubs before returning to rugby union.

Morahan and Dennis have toured with the Wallabies before without earning a cap, while Palmer's decision to move from the Waratahs to the Brumbies appears to have been vindicated.

Deans said Barnes's experience, his recent play in the position for the Waratahs and his background with the bulk of the group would be critical assets for the side given the short preparation time.

"Most of the players involved have either had plenty of previous background with us, or trained with us last week, so the combinations do have some history," Deans said.

Lock Nathan Sharpe will make his 102nd Test appearance, becoming the third-most capped Wallaby.

Wallabies: Luke Morahan, Joe Tomane, Anthony Faingaa, Mike Harris, Digby Ioane, Berrick Barnes, Will Genia, Scott Higginbotham, David Pocock (captain), Dave Dennis, Nathan Sharpe, Sitaleki Timani, Dan Palmer, Stephen Moore, James Slipper. Res: Saia Faingaa, Ben Alexander, Rob Simmons, Michael Hooper, Nick Phipps, Pat McCabe, Adam Ashley-Cooper.

AAP

Tags: sport, rugby-union, newcastle-2300, nsw, australia

First posted June 03, 2012 12:39:22

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Wallabies aren't vulnerable: Scotland

Updated June 04, 2012 18:19:15

Scotland playmaker Greig Laidlaw is taking no comfort from Berrick Barnes' mediocre form for the slumping Waratahs as he prepares to go head-to-head with the Wallabies number 10 in Newcastle on Tuesday night.

Barnes is part of a Wallabies side featuring six debutants and several players backing up from the weekend's Super Rugby action.

But despite the Wallabies being likely to keep some powder dry for their clash with Wales four days later, Laidlaw insists the Scots do not feel disrespected by Australia.

The seven-cap five-eighth said the Wallabies are within their rights to rest players and believes Barnes is a danger man in this situation.

"The 'Tahs have been struggling a little bit with their form so he can come in now with the Wallabies and maybe that will refresh him and he'll be able to push on from there," said Laidlaw, who dismissed the notion that Australia are vulnerable.

"He's a quality player and we'll need to be on guard to keep him under wraps (on Tuesday) evening.

"The way the season has panned out with the Super Rugby program it's quite tough and the players who have come in are top quality players and I'm sure they deserve their place in the Wallaby team."

Laidlaw has fond memories watching on when Scotland upset Australia 9-8 at Murrayfield in 2009, but in more recent times the 26-year-old was part of the side's embarrassing last-start Six Nations loss to Italy.

The knives have been out for Andy Robinson's side since it came last in the Six Nations, and while Laidlaw believes Scotland can cause another upset over Australia, he said it can only restore pride on the field.

"Talk is cheap. We definitely have a point to prove," he said.

"It's about going out on the pitch and it's about proving we're a good team and it's the only way we can go about doing it.

"We've talked a lot about reigniting the passion for Scotland and that's something we'll try and do on this tour."

Scotland has made six changes since its loss to Italy, with prop Ryan Grant to make his debut in a team largely unfamiliar to Australian fans.

The tourists will look to experienced half-back Mike Blair and captain Ross Ford to lead the way.

AAP

Tags: rugby-union, sport, newcastle-2300, nsw, australia, scotland, united-kingdom

First posted June 04, 2012 18:19:15

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England beat Scotland, France down Italy in Six Nations

Updated February 05, 2012 08:42:52

England made a winning start under new acting coach Stuart Lancaster defeating Scotland 13-6, while France eased to a 30-12 win over Italy in its Six Nations opener.

England's first victory at Murrayfield since 2004 saw a side featuring three debutants and a new captain in Chris Robshaw score the only try of the match when recalled fly-half Charlie Hodgson charged down rival stand-off Dan Parks's attempted clearance kick early in the second half.

Owen Farrell, the 20-year-old Saracens centre, kicked the remainder of England's points on his Test debut, with both of Scotland's scores coming courtesy of two first half Parks penalties.

Scotland threatened from deep and had their chances but a side coached by former England flanker and boss Andy Robinson were undone by a series of handling errors.

"To get your first win away on the road is special, especially with a lot of new players," Robshaw, winning just his second cap, told the BBC.

"I can't speak highly enough of all the guys, it was a great team effort and a very proud day," the Harlequins flanker added.

Meanwhile Hodgson, one of five players from English Premiership champions Saracens in the England side, said: "One of the things we work on at Saracens is putting pressure on kickers and I got lucky with the try."

This was Scotland's fourth successive Test without a try and Robinson said: "It's very frustrating. We created some great opportunities and it's just that last pass. The game is about small margins and you have to be able to execute under pressure."

Scotland led 6-3 at half-time but within seconds of the restart, England caught Scotland cold with a try from Hodgson, making his first Test start for four years in the absence of retired England great Jonny Wilkinson and the unfit Toby Flood.

Farrell kicked the tricky conversion from out on the left between the posts and England were 10-6 in front.

Hodgson's try was the first by either side in a Murrayfield Calcutta Cup clash since 2004.

Scotland's best chance to retake the lead came when replacement Greig Laidlaw, chipped over the top of the England defence in the 63rd minute was involved in a race for the touchdown with visiting scrum-half Ben Youngs.

But Welsh replay official Nigel Whitehouse, after several minutes' study, denied Scotland a try to the audible disappointment of a capacity crowd.

With six minutes remaining Farrell, son of assistant coach Andy, converted an easy penalty leaving Scotland needing to score a converted try just to draw level - a task that proved beyond them.

The defence-driven pragmatism that saw France reach the World Cup final resurfaced in their opening Six Nations victory over Italy on Saturday.

Led magnificently by captain Thierry Dusautoir and indefatigable No 8 Louis Picamoles, France offered up stout defence without ever straying offside, content to play the waiting game as the Italians slowly unravelled.

When the Italians infringed, the unerring boot of Dimitri Yachvili was on call to keep the scoreboard ticking along for the home side.

Tries were also scored by Aurelien Rougerie, Julien Malzieu, Vincent Clerc and impressive debutant Wesley Fofana, as Italy failed to convert their early domination of territory and possession into points.

"It's a first victory. You have to have a smile," said coach Philippe Saint-Andre, who was installed after Marc Lievremont was stripped of the job following the World Cup, where the French lost 8-7 to New Zealand in the final.

"As a coach, you seek perfection but today you saw a great defence, a good discipline and we even scored four tries.

AFP

Tags: sport, rugby-union, united-kingdom, france

First posted February 05, 2012 07:21:13

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Johnson changes three for Scotland clash

Updated September 29, 2011 13:02:14

England manager Martin Johnson has made three changes to his starting line-up for Saturday's Rugby World Cup Pool B showdown with Scotland at Eden Park.

Matt Stevens, Courtney Lawes and Delon Armitage come in for Alex Corbisiero, Tom Palmer and Mark Cueto.

The first two drop to the bench and Cueto has been left out of the match-day 22.

Lawes is back in the side at lock after serving a two-match ban for kneeing an opponent in the win over Argentina.

"Courtney's playing very well. He hasn't played for two weeks but we're very comfortable with having him in the team," Johnson said.

"We're reasonably healthy which is great at this point in the tournament and we thought this was the right team."

On selecting Armitage ahead of Cueto, Johnson said: "He's played very well. We've said all the way through if Delon's playing well and with form he's a Test match player.

"Mark's injury was a factor. He's probably a game short of being back to where he should be."

England is looking for a fourth-straight win which would ensure it reaches the quarter-finals and a likely match with France.

Scotland needs to deny England a bonus point to reach the quarter-finals for the seventh straight time.

The Scots made six changes, with Alastair Kellock's return as captain most notable.

Kellock takes over at lock from Jim Hamilton, Euan Murray, who missed Sunday's 13-12 loss to Argentina due to his religious beliefs, is back at prop in place of Geoff Cross and Richie Vernon replaces Kelly Brown at number eight.

Brown suffered concussion in the closing stages of the game against the Pumas, which Scotland agonisingly lost to a try seven minutes from time, and under tournament rules he cannot play again before a full week has passed.

Mike Blair gets a start at scrum-half in place of Rory Lawson, who was captain against the Pumas and Simon Danielli comes in on the wing, with Sean Lamont moving inside to replace Graeme Morrison at centre where he will partner Joe Ansbro replacing Nick De Luca.

Scotland has not beaten England by more than seven points for 25 years and has not done it outside Scotland since 1983.\

England: Ben Foden, Chris Ashton, Manu Tuilagi, Mike Tindall, Delon Armitage, Jonny Wilkinson, Ben Youngs, James Haskell, Lewis Moody (c), Tom Croft, Courtney Lawes, Louis Deacon, Dan Cole, Steve Thompson, Matt Stevens.

Replacements: Dylan Hartley, Alex Corbisiero, Tom Palmer, Nick Easter, Richard Wigglesworth, Toby Flood, Matt Banahan.

Scotland: Chris Paterson, Max Evans, Joe Ansbro, Sean Lamont, Simon Danielli; Ruaridh Jackson, Mike Blair; Richie Vernon, John Barclay, Ally Strokosch, Alastair Kellock (c), Richie Gray, Euan Murray, Ross Ford, Allan Jacobsen.

Replacements: Scott Lawson, Alasdair Dickinson, Nathan Hines, Ross Rennie, Chris Cusiter, Dan Parks, Nick de Luca.

Tags: rugby-union-world-cup, rugby-union, sport

First posted September 29, 2011 13:02:14

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