Alastair Kellock keen to build on win over Wallabies to boost confidence

SCOTLAND lock Alastair Kellock has demanded his team-mates make sure their surprise victory over Australia is the start of a winning run.

Scotland ended a seven-match losing run with a last-minute 9-6 triumph over the Wallabies in New South Wales in the first match of their tour. The Scots next face Fiji on Saturday with the driving rain of last week’s clash in Newcastle set to make way for heat and humidity this weekend.

Scotland have previously beaten Australia under Andy Robinson and also won a two-match summer tour of Argentina two years ago. But Kellock is looking for lasting improvement and is determined to build on their Newcastle success against Fiji.

“It can’t be a one-off,” the Glasgow player said. “We have got to use the momentum from the win, we have said that already. It is Test rugby and each match is going to be different, especially given the contrast in conditions that we are experiencing. It is an absolute cliche but it is true: winning is a habit and we kind of got out of it in the last few months.

“Before that we were on a reasonable run and we have got to make sure that we get another win and take even more confidence into the Samoa match.”

While Scotland ended their run of defeats against Australia, they did not turn round their try-scoring record, although the wet and windy conditions played a huge part in the style of play. Scotland have only scored four tries in eight matches stretching back to the World Cup last year and Kellock hopes to help unleash the running power of the team’s backs against Fiji. “The key to playing a team like Fiji is that you don’t get carried away by what they are doing,” he said. “It is true that, playing against any team, you have to concentrate on yourself.

“We will have specific tactics on when to keep the ball tight but also we aim to show the attacking threat that unfortunately we did not get to see because of the weather conditions in Australia. We are looking to get those talented backs into the game as well. It is about finding our balance and not being influenced by what they are doing.”

Scotland’s try-scoring potential will be given an immediate lift when Dutchman Tim Visser now available under residency rule. Robinson also has Max Evans to call on when he names his team tonight.