It is not so long since the idea of Scotland notching just one win against Australia would have seemed an impossible pipe dream. Remarkably, they are now going for their fourth consecutive victory over the Wallabies. In fact, but for a couple of slices of cruel luck, in 2015 and 2016, they could easily have won seven of the past eight games.
Australia’s status today is reflected in their ninth place in the world rankings – three lower than Scotland. They no longer have the aura of other southern hemisphere sides such as South Africa and New Zealand. I grew up watching the Australia of George Smith and George Gregan, of Joe Roff, Steve Larkham, Owen Finnegan and Jeremy Paul – players who would walk
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