FILE PHOTO: Rugby Union - Autumn Internationals - England v Australia - Allianz Stadium Twickenham, London, Britain - November 9, 2024 Australia head coach Joe Schmidt before the match Action Images via Reuters/Andrew Boyers/File Photo
(Reuters) - Australia have had limited training this week due to frozen pitches ahead of their Autumn international clash with Scotland at Murrayfield on Sunday, but are hoping their red hot form can take them to a Grand Slam finish to the year.
The Wallabies have had an up and down season, but beat England 42-37 in their tour opener and followed that up with a comprehensive 52-20 victory over Wales as they go into their clash with Scotland bristling with confidence.
"Our plan was to get up here (Edinburgh) and train Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday," coach Joe Schmidt told reporters. "As it happened, we've been quite limited in what we've done.
"The grounds are frozen but Scottish Rugby were super today (Friday), they let us train at Murrayfield so we could actually get a session on the grass. Hopefully that sharpens the boys for Sunday."
Schmidt has made six changes to his side from the team that beat Wales, including handing a debut to wing Harry Potter.
"We're trying to build a squad going forward and it (changes) helps us sustain a competitive element, because if you're not internally competitive, it's hard to be externally competitive," Schmidt said.
"We've got things we're working on, things that were not as good as they could have been against Wales and England."
Scotland have selected an experienced side that is high on confidence despite a 32-15 loss to South Africa earlier this month.
"I know how good we're going to have to be," Schmidt said. "Scotland play a fantastic brand of rugby. During the (2023) World Cup, I think outside of the All Blacks they played with more width than any other team. So you have got to be good across the field."
After a difficult Rugby Championship in which they lost five of their six games, Australia’s form in Europe has been welcome and drawn praise.
But Schmidt admits the people he needs to win over are his players.
"If they've got confidence in what we're doing with the key behaviours we're driving, the strategy that we're trying to develop, then hopefully other people externally will develop confidence in it too."
With Ireland to come after Scotland, Australia are seeking a first Grand Slam of the Home Nations in 40 years, though Schmidt says it is not a major focus.
"Forty years on, we would love to emulate it (the 1984 team), but, also, we're not trying to emulate it," he said. "We're just trying to win this weekend and to have a good week's preparation for the next game."
(Reporting by Nick Said; Editing by Toby Davis)
