We can be Mighty Ducks, Scotland warn Aust

Gordon Reid hopes Scotland can script themselves a victory of Hollywood proportions when they take on World Cup A-listers Australia.

The Glasgow prop is gearing up for a blockbuster quarter-final clash with the Wallabies at Twickenham on Sunday.

Few, if any, seriously believe that Vern Cotter’s side can upstage the Aussies in London and clinch a first semi-final slot in 24 years.

But Reid is refusing to write off his team and has taken heart from the underdog tales which have inspired so many movie classics.

“It’s not just any team we are up against this weekend, it’s Australia – one of the biggest teams in the world,” he said.

“But we’ve got a bit of belief about us now. Our first objective was to get through to the quarters and now it’s knock-out rugby. Anything can happen.”

Reid said everyone was writing Scotland off as underdogs but he doesn’t care.

“It’s awesome. Just look at the movies. It’s always the underdog who wins – just look at the Mighty Ducks.

“We can be those Mighty Ducks.

“This is the position we relish being in. Hopefully we can go out and do ourselves proud at Twickenham.”

Scotland suffered a Six Nations whitewash earlier this year but have responded with an impressive display of single-mindedness, shrugging off the Japanese shock troops, dodging another banana skin laid down by the United States before withstanding a surprise Samoan onslaught to escape Pool B.

A loss to South Africa was their only blemish.

The battle with the Pacific Islanders in particular has served to solidify Scottish resolve as they found a way to win despite shipping four tries in the St James’ Park thriller.

Wing Tommy Seymour says while the performance in Newcastle was not perfect, it has reinforced his team’s confident stride.

“The belief is there in the squad,” he stressed.

“I though it was there before the World Cup too.

“We came off the back of a Six Nations we weren’t happy with.

“But we regrouped quickly and put the past behind us. We went through warm-up games and the group stages of this competition collecting a few wins along the way and that breeds confidence.

“We had to win a different way against Samoa compared to the wins over Japan and US. It was a narrow margin but that certainly does help create a psyche where you become aware of the ability in yourself to win tight games.

“So going up against Australia, we know it’s going to be a hugely physical game and one we will have to be at our peak to win.”

Scotland struggled to impose themselves against a physically superior Springbok XV two weeks ago and the task is no less daunting as they prepare to face a Wallabies outfit who have shipped just two tries so far.

But Glasgow back Seymour – the Scots’ top try scorer with three – said: “I certainly think we have got the players to break them down.”

“We have already scored a lot of tries in the competition so far so there is no reason why we can’t,” he said.

“With the preparation that goes into our week we feel we will be able to implement certain things that will get us across the whitewash.”

Stay up to date with the latest sports news
Follow our social accounts to get exclusive content and all the latest sporting news!