Scotland forward Matt Fagerson has hailed the Wallabies team being developed by his former Glasgow coach Dave Rennie as “brutal” and “brilliant” and given an excellent insight into Rennie’s character.
Fagerson says the freedom to play, instilled by Rennie into the resurgent Australians poses big dangers for his Scottish team in their Test match early Monday (AEDT).
Australia have won five matches on the bounce, scoring an average 30 points per game, and the Scotland backrowrer attributes the run to Rennie’s inventive influence.
“They love to play from deep and they are pretty brutal in the contact and clear-out, and they have some brilliant tacklers as well,” Fagerson said.
“Dave was a brilliant coach. You played before you kicked, he bred that into the whole squad.
“You can see little bits but he has clearly taken on Australia and he is doing an amazing job, and it’s great to see. He has put his own spin on where he wants them to go.
“They won’t be afraid to play, that was a massive thing for him. We played Exeter at home one year and scored two from our own five-metre line, because that was the way he wanted us to play. We came out on top by about 20 points.
Dave Rennie (Andrew Phan/supplied by Rugby Australia)
“They will be trying to play expansive rugby and keep the ball in hand.”
Fagerson made his Warriors debut under current Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend in September 2016 but got his first professional contract 13 months later after Rennie’s arrival.
The 23-year-old said: “I am very fond of Dave, I thought he was a great coach and he was really, really good with me.
“One of biggest things I took from Dave was his player management to me personally. If I was playing poorly, he would tell me but equally, if I was playing well, he would tell me that.
“We had some really good honest discussions about things to work on, things I was doing well, my he was picking me, why I missed out on that game. That was something I really respected about him.
“In terms of things that really stuck with me, my footwork was probably a big thing for him. Something he really liked in a back-row, who is meant to be steamrolling heavy cannon straight at boys, he quite liked the fact I could get soft shoulders here and there.”
Fagerson has established himself as a regular Scotland starter but showing Rennie how he has developed on the mark is not the forward’s focus of the reunion.
“It’s not so much a motivation,” he said. “It will just be really good to play against a team he is coaching and get a catch-up with him after the game, because it’s been a long time and I have a lot of respect for Dave.”
The game is set to be the No.8’s first against Australia.
“It will be amazing,” he said. “I remember watching the tour when they went to Australia and I remember being at Murrayfield when we played them last as well. So it will be special to play against them, if selected.
“They come off the back of winning five games in a row, they beat the world champions twice and Japan as well, who are playing some good rugby.
“They are developing as a team so it will be a massive challenge for us but one we are looking forward to.”
rusty
Roar Rookie
how's your huff and puff now expert?
Short Arm
Roar Rookie
I fear you could be right Clash. With Quade & Kerevi out, it's going to take a game to get used to new combos. Can't also wait to see Hooper v Watson, Watson is such a Terrier & will be a shock to the WB's breakdown, Hooper & others will need to pay more attention to their core jobs.
Zulu
Guest
Calm yourself man. QC Kerevi and Marika are the best 3. :thumbup:
Honest Max
Roar Rookie
A Scotland loss would see them drop out of the Top 10, which would be a shame.
Tim J
Roar Rookie
Look forward to hearing from you after the game, only if you are still capable . :laughing:
TJ-Go Force!
Roar Rookie
I’ll let you know my thoughts after the game mate. Hoping inclusion of our french forwards gets us over the line. Excited to see who Rennie picks to be honest!
Clash
Roar Pro
Don’t think we’ll win in a canter but because there’s no Cooper or ?Kerevi we will win by at least 12. We being Scotland. Looking forward to watching Watson v Hooper, Scottish front row, van der Werwe and Finn Russell having a top game although it would have been brilliant to see him and Quade against each other which could have been a classic. Also, I really don’t see Australia winning any of their matches which would be a shame.
Tim J
Roar Rookie
I agree! I will be watching it and picking a close win for the Wallabies. I guess you will not be on the Roar live? Again enjoy as it will be a great occasion with the Sots crowd.
TJ-Go Force!
Roar Rookie
Will do mate! Should be a cracking game. Both teams coming in on form.
Ankle-tapped Waterboy
Roar Rookie
Quite right. The Highlanders do this sort of thing quite often, but it only succeeds because the other New Zealand Super Rugby sides are notorious for being absolute softies. Crusaders? Hah! The Kiwi equivalent of Zebre. /s
Ankle-tapped Waterboy
Roar Rookie
Maybe this is all a misunderstanding and is actually to do with Scotland selecting plenty of players from the Borders clubs.
Tim J
Roar Rookie
Enjoy it mate and enjoy your day, have a couple of ones for me, and a dozen for yourself. :stoked:
TJ-Go Force!
Roar Rookie
McMahon is nowhere near in our best back row let alone 3 best players. He was garbage against Argentina. Kerevi is irreplaceable in any side, but JOC will be just fine at 10.
TJ-Go Force!
Roar Rookie
Can’t wait to be there on Sunday at Murrayfield, 14 degrees and no rain at this point so should be class!
Tim J
Roar Rookie
I have noticed that also Rhys, do they not know that the North would suit their posts more? :shocked:
Rhys
Roar Rookie
Another troll MK, sadly there are a few creeping in at the moment
Jacko
Roar Rookie
Yep crazy. Hooper is not even close to a borderline selection. 1st guy put on the team sheet.
Tim J
Roar Rookie
It sounds like you need to lay off the Port.. Also your name gives you away for being a bitter South African supporter. I wonder why as you are still the current World Champions, take a chill pill and you will be better for it.
Tim J
Roar Rookie
He seems to be showing genuine respect to Rennie and the Wallabies, no mind games being played. Full respect for his interview, it will be a good game but Wallabies in a close game because of the unity built and building further.
Hunters
Roar Rookie
Presume you and Antony have put money on this? I’m not saying the W’s will win easily, but there is as much chance of that as there is of the Scots winning.