Argentina bid to turn tables on Scots by taking tips from referee

AS SCOTLAND aim to make history with a first-ever Southern Hemisphere series win today, opponents Argentina revealed they have been working with a referee after identifying poor discipline as the reason for their defeat in the first Test last week.

Argentina coach Santiago Phelan recruited a referee to advise his players after the Pumas went down to a 24-16 defeat to the Scots in Tucuman. He admitted he needed extra help in order to get the message across to his players.

"We analysed the reasons behind the penalties, we spoke with referees and I invited one to help us in training," said Phelan. "We worked on different skills in order not to make the same mistakes. I think the players will pay much more attention to what they are doing."

Scotland benefited from their hosts' failure to get to grips with the rules at the breakdown situation, with Dan Parks kicking all 24 points. The tourists expect a backlash today, with the Pumas determined to knock Scotland off their stride at the same time as staying on the right side of the referee. But Scotland coach Andy Robinson has faith in his players, and on the eve of the match he praised their application in the build up to tonight's encounter.

"They are a very high quality team to work with," said the coach. "They are setting their standards, they are desperate to improve. That's a great thing in a squad. There is real competition for places and guys know that when they're given the opportunity they have to take it."

Robinson knows his side will need to improve on last weekend's performance to make it two wins out of two, and like Argentina, he is looking at the breakdown area. "We have to get a lot better from set piece, we have to be more accurate in our running lines and the contact area," said the coach, who has made just one change in personnel with left winger Simon Danielli coming in for Nick De Luca.

"We have to clear the ball quickly in rucks," added Robinson. In defence, we gave Argentina two tries which they took very well. We must be sharper in our defensive organisation.

"Training has gone well. We only have to focus on how we can improve this weekend."

Scrum-half Rory Lawson has sounded a cautionary note to his team-mates.

"We'll only make history if we win," said Lawson. "Argentina will be a different team, with a different attitude and we have to play our very best to win.

"We are doing a lot of good stuff just now and the squad is confident, there is belief in the squad so the important thing is to keep winning and keep training well."