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.
Renegade
Roar Guru
Yes he played well, his kicking game and defence as you say were terrific. That kick on the third tackle of the set when they hadn't had the ball for what felt like half an hour was a killer though. I didn't feel he took on the line enough in attack though, he needs to be more heavily involved when in possession. That will only improve through each game though - certainly a captain's knock. The most impressive part of Scotland's performance was their line speed in defence... it was phenomenal and they managed to keep it up for the majority of the match. Considering how much they had to defend, they showed a lot of courage to win that game.
Elijah Weightman
Roar Guru
Danny Brough played a great game. I could only fault him on two of his kicks, one where the Scots had just received a penalty and he kicked on the first tackle, and the other a chip kick where a grubber probably would have been more appropriate. Other than that, his kicking game was first class and his defence was as tenacious as a border collie. Definitely lead from the front and played a captains knock.
Renegade
Roar Guru
Alex, The Bravehearts have been incredibly impressive in the first 40 of this morning's match. I mentioned during the previews that the encounters in Group C will be some of the best of the tournament.... I was quite surprised to see how many people thought Tonga would easily top the pool. Scotland are giving them a lesson at the moment and are looking quite comfortable as well. Expect Tonga to come out firing in the second half though, the Scots can't afford to ease up here.
Alex
Guest
Scotland all the way win lose or draw we will support u ever more Cmon
Renegade
Roar Guru
Thanks mate. Appreciate the feedback ;)
peeeko
Roar Guru
its the same for a lot of teams, a lot of the teams are based on heritage (tonga,samoa, cook islands,italy,ireland) some people have a problem with it, some dont
Matt_S
Guest
+1
Sleiman Azizi
Roar Guru
I'm really enjoying these World Cup team reviews Renegade. Well done.
ScottWoodward.me
Roar Guru
In the fair dink-um department, they are 1,000/1 to win the WC. Who cares? It is a bigger insult getting beat by 50. He had to promise that he would swap XXXX for Jonnie Walker.
Nomad
Guest
Grandfather is fine so long as long as he hasn't played for Samoa as well...
Rin
Guest
I see the William Wallace connection, that seems to suffice for Scottish purposes, but come on,you should at least be a resident of a country/passport holder to play, I doubt he has either! He might never have even been to Scotland! If i was Scottish it would be a bit of an insult IMO
Andy
Guest
Scotland should do alright with that spine. The rest is up to the coaching staff.
Andy
Guest
Under the "grandfather rule", Wallace is eligible to play for Scotland. I do not see a problem with it.
ScottWoodward.me
Roar Guru
Rin They are called The Brave Hearts and because he shares the same same as William Wallace (Mel Gibson) that probably is enough to qualify him . hahahaha
Squirrel
Guest
Yeah ancestor to William Wallace and probably bought a kilt.
Rin
Guest
Peter Wallace playing for Scotland...you have to be joking, possibly qualified cause he has red hair?
Renegade
Roar Guru
Group A and B have rightly been tagged the Super Pools however i certainly feel that the matches in pool C and D are going to be absolute crackers. I'm keen to see Danny Brough in action at the highest level.
oikee
Guest
Scotland Wales and Ireland always over-achieve. They lack neither passion or courage. Brough and Wallace are the key. These two can keep them in the game with kicking skills. They fly under the radar then surprise us when they win a game or two, put in a good performance. All their games look like crackers. Should be good.