Sport

Scotland's Kiwi influence unsettles Wallabies

08:01 am on 8 November 2016

The Wallabies fear Scotland's strongly All Blacks-influenced style could derail their grand slam tilt before their major showdowns with Ireland and England.

Australia's hopes of beating all four home nations were boosted by a polished opening victory over Wales and the tourists will start warm favourites against Scotland at Murrayfield on Sunday morning (NZ Time).

Australian rugby player Nick Phipps Photo: Photosport

Scotland are coached by New Zealand's Vern Cotter and have a distinctly All Black flavour in the way they attack games - a threat which should sound alarm bells for the Wallabies.

Halfback Nick Phipps - who faces a challenge for the No.9 jersey from Will Genia now that he's joined the team in Edinburgh - said the Wallabies are prepared for Scotland's defusing tactics.

"They've got quite a Kiwi influence ... they're very defensive, very pressure- oriented around the breakdown especially," he said.

"So it's going to make life pretty tough for the 9 and 10 around that area."

He said the raucous crowd in Edinburgh is also likely to lift the home side to yet another level.

- AAP