Defence coach Scot tough job

Australian-born Scotland defence coach Matt Taylor says he will have a big job trying to stop the Wallabies in their Test clash in Sydney on Saturday.

Scotland's Australian-born defence coach Matt Taylor says he faces a big job trying to nullify the Wallabies' numerous attacking threats in Saturday's Test in Sydney.

Queenslander Taylor has great respect for the Wallabies backs, rating them among the best in the world.

"They've always been a team that can score a lot of points and our team and myself, we've got a big job to do to try and nullify that and stop that," Taylor said.

"They are very good through their set-piece play. They score a lot of their tries through lineouts.

'We saw on the weekend again (against Fiji) they scored a number of tries off lineouts and they had some good set-piece plays but also their general play structure is very good.

"We're going to have to get up hard and make our tackles and force turnovers."

Taylor said Australia pulled out a few moves against Fiji he hadn't seen from them before.

"I thought they used Israel Folau really well, kicking and isolating the Fijian wingers so we're probably expecting the same again," Taylor said.

"We need to be doing our high ball catching and trying to protect our guys as best we can."

Taylor emphasised newly appointed Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend had plenty of tricks of his own.

"'He's a very good attacking coach, he's got some really good set-piece plays, he works really hard on our ball carrying and breakdown," Taylor said.

"I think what you'll find moving forward into the World Cup, we'll have some really good set-piece plays very similar to the Wallabies in terms of trick plays, intricate plays."

Taylor was impressed with what Karmichael Hunt brought to the Wallabies in his Test debut at inside centre last weekend.

"He's confrontational in terms of his tackling, so I think it strengthens their midfield in terms of the defence," he said.

He said Scottish rugby was in a good space after climbing to their highest world ranking ever of No.5.

"I hope in the next couple of years we can really press and not only do well in the World Cup, but press for Six Nations honours," he said.

"If we get close to everyone on the ground and fit, I think we have got the potential to do that."


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Source: AAP


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