According to the ever-diplomatic former Wallaby wing David Campese, Scotland only have one player with the ability to cause Australia even slight unease at Murrayfield today. Gregor Townsend will be flattered, of course, but Rod Macqueen's strained smile suggested Campo need not bother asking the coach for complimentary match tickets next time they meet.
As England can testify, taking Scotland lightly went out of fashion in the space of 80 freezing minutes last April and, to date, this has not been the smoothest of Wallaby weeks. On arrival in a rainy Edinburgh, they had to cart their own luggage up five storeys because of a power cut and much of their hotel is covered in dust sheets behind which half the hammers and drills in Scotland are on overtime.
Today's game is unlikely to be restful either. The Scots have been together for two weeks with no club distractions and, as France demonstrated despite losing 18-13 last week, this Wallaby side, out of season and rebuilding in their own methodical way, are not invincible. "The French did find some space but it just shows you how competitive Australia remain," sighed Ian McGeechan, fully aware the Wallabies have not lost a Test in Scotland for 19 years.
Much, as usual, will depend on the restored attacking link between Townsend and John Leslie, for a goal-kicking contest will only be won by Matt Burke.
Another factor may be the ability of Tom Smith and George Graham to exert pressure on the Australian front-row which - with the notable exception of hooker Malcolm Foley - is relatively inexperienced.
Enlightened ticket prices and marketing are set to woo a crowd approaching 60,000, some of whom will be provided with radio earpieces to listen in on referee Clive White. If Scotland play to their potential, a fair bit of Wallaby cursing may also be audible for at least an hour, if not longer.
SCOTLAND: Paterson; C Murray (both Edinburgh Reivers), A Bulloch (Glasgow Caledonians), Leslie (Newcastle Falcons), Steel (Glasgow Caledonians); Townsend (Castres), Redpath (Sale); Smith (Brive), Brotherstone (Northampton), Graham (Newcastle Falcons), S Murray (Saracens), Grimes (Newcastle Falcons), Petrie (Glasgow Caledonians), Pountney (Northampton, capt), Taylor (Edinburgh Reivers). Replacements: G Bulloch, McIlwham (both Glasgow Caledonians), R Metcalfe (Edinburgh Reivers), White, Beveridge (both Glasgow Caledonians), Hodge, Joiner (both Edinburgh Reivers).
AUSTRALIA: Latham; Burke, Herbert, Mortlock, Roff; Kafer, Cordingley; Young, Foley, Dyson, Giffin, Eales (capt), Cockbain, Smith, Kefu. Replacements: Paul, Panoho, Connors, Williams, Whitaker, Flatley, Grey.
Referee: C White (England).
