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Scotland has only won one match from their two appearances at a Rugby League World Cup, but with the ‘Man of Steel’ leading the Bravehearts’ charge in 2013 we can expect to see the best performance by a Scottish team yet.
Coach Steve McCormack is planning on taking Scotland to the knock-out stages of the World Cup for the very first time.
Scotland Bravehearts
RLIF World Ranking: 11
Best Result: Won one match in 2008
2008 Finish: eighth
2013 RLWC Odds: $251
The Bravehearts are the youngest of the national teams within the British Isles, going down 26-22 against Ireland in their first ever international in 1995.
Since that match, the two nations have played each other nine times, creating a healthy rivalry.
Scotland would go on to compete in the 1995 Emerging Nations Cup that ran alongside the World Cup. Five years later, the Bravehearts would make their debut in the main event itself.
The Scottish would not win a game at the 2000 RLWC, however their biggest losing margin was 12 points which – deemed an acceptable result for a side making their first appearance.
The team would again appear at the 2008 World Cup in Australia after defeating Wales for a qualifying spot. After losing their opening game to France 36-18, Scotland would claim their first ever win against eventual semi-finalists Fiji 18-16 in Gosford.
On the back of that win, the Bravehearts performed courageously in European Cups and recorded their biggest ever win against Italy during the 2009 tournament.
Steve McCormack has spent a fair amount of time planning the Bravehearts’ World Cup charge. and with Danny Brough leading the side onto the field the Scots are excited about their prospects in 2013.
Team Line-up (likely)
1. Matthew Russell
2. Alex Hurst
3. Kane Linnett
4. Ben Hellewell
5. David Scott
6. Danny Brough (c)
7. Peter Wallace
8. Luke Douglas
9. Ian Henderson
10. Adam Walker
11. Rhys Lovegrove
12. Dale Ferguson
13. Danny Addy
14. Ben Fisher
15. Oliver Wilkes
16. Ben Kavanagh
17. Mitchell Stringer
Squad Members: Sam Barlow, Brett Carter, Andrew Henderson, Callum Phillips, Brett Phillips, Alex Szostak, Paul Jackson
Scotland will be fielding one of the best halves combinations in the World Cup this year with the captain Danny Brough partnering former Brisbane Broncos NRL halfback Peter Wallace in the 6 and 7 jerseys.
The ever-reliable Luke Douglas is the biggest name in the forward pack, accompanied by the Bravehearts’ best player in the previous RLWC, Ian Henderson, who will again be occupying the dummy-half role.
McCormack has gone for youth in the outside backs with centre Kane Linnett being the highest profile back along with fullback Matt Russell, who has come through the Wigan youth academy.
The halves are definitely the strength of the side though, and will ultimately be the key to Scotland’s chances.
Key Player
The best player in the Northern Hemisphere this year was Danny Brough, the Scottish captain.
The five-eighth was awarded the 2013 Super League Man of Steel award after being a vital part of the Huddersfield Giants team that captured the League Leaders shield this year.
Brough was in sublime form throughout the season and on numerous occasions won games for the Giants single-handedly.
He has the ability to take the game by the scruff of the neck, and McCormack knows the skipper is going to be most influential player on the field for the Bravehearts.
Fixtures and Opponents
Vs Tonga @ Derwent Park, Workington. Kick-off – Wed 30th Oct 7am AEDT.
Vs Italy @ Derwent Park, Workington. Kick-off – Mon 4th Nov 3am AEDT.
Vs USA @ Salford City Stadium, Salford. Kick-off – Fri 8th Nov 7am AEDT.
RLWC 2013 Prospects
Having been placed in Group C with Italy and Tonga, every match will be vital for Scotland’s chances of progressing as only the top seed goed through to the quarter finals.
With each of the matches being equal in importance for the Scots, it is difficult to stand out a key match. Scotland will play their first two matches at Derwent Park, with the game against Tonga being declared as a sell-out.
If the Bravehearts can notch at least one win from the two outings in Workington, they will like their chances of progressing to the quarter-finals with only the World Cup debutantes from the USA standing in their way.
Rugby league currently has a very low profile in Scotland. A strong showing from the Bravehearts in the RLWC might be just what is needed to change that.
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