Scots’ rankings climb is no guide to World Cup campaign, says Robinson

Andy Robinson welcomed Scotland’s rise to seventh in the IRB world rankings but does not expect their advance to have any impact on their Rugby World Cup campaign.

The Scots were rewarded for victories over Italy in the final game of the RBS Six Nations, followed by the EMC Test successes against Ireland and Italy, with the rise in the standings.

With the squad now at a training camp on Australia’s Gold Coast ahead of their opening pool B match against Romania, before also facing Georgia, Argentina and England, head coach Robinson said: “What the rankings prove is that if you win games, you will move up the rankings. For us, getting that consistency of winning three games on the bounce means that you have the ability to move up the rankings.

“I don’t think the rankings will have too much impact on what happens in the Rugby World Cup, where we’ll have four very tough games in our pool stages and the key focus for us is on winning those games.”

The rankings were revealed by the IRB yesterday and showed that Scotland had leap-frogged Ireland to seventh place after the Irish lost to England in Dublin at the weekend.

Before the Scottish squad gets down to serious training they limbered up by successfully sidestepping a dangerous kangaroo which has been blamed for a spate of attacks in the area of the Australian Gold Coast where Scotland are training. Scrum-half Rory Lawson told of his relief at emerging unscathed from a round of golf – especially as he learned about the rogue marsupial only after making his final putt.

Lawson and several team-mates embarked on a round of golf as they tried to shake off the effects of jet-lag in the wake of their 26-hour journey from Glasgow.

And afterwards the Gloucester player revealed on his Twitter page: “Been told to keep eyes peeled for roo with blue paint on its head – not so friendly and loves a scrap. Told this AFTER golf – through unscathed.”

He added: “It was a great first day in Oz with sunshine all day, though thunderstorms are coming. Perfect recovery with the golf. Looking forward to getting back into training as the big event is approaching. Feeling more and more real.”

Meanwhile, South Africa coach Peter De Villiers insisted that hosts New Zealand would still present the defending champions with their biggest obstacle in the World Cup despite successive Tri Nations defeats.

The All Blacks were beaten 18-5 in Port Elizabeth then lost 25-20 to Australia in Brisbane on Saturday, a win which gave the Wallabies the Tri Nations title. “The Wallabies got it right on Saturday, they cut down on their space because both teams like to play expansively. The Wallabies concentrated more on their forwards and were brutal in contact and very focused, you could see by the way they stared down the haka,” said De Villiers.

“But nothing has changed. To beat New Zealand in New Zealand will still be very tough and they are still the favourites for the World Cup. But if the pressure in New Zealand gets to their team, then it may affect the way they play.”

The Springboks had earlier visited South African president Jacob Zuma in his Pretoria guesthouse. They leave for New Zealand on Thursday, arriving on Saturday in Wellington, where their campaign opens on 11 September against Wales.

Team doctor Craig Roberts said utility backs Ruan Pienaar (ankle), Francois Steyn (hamstring) and Pat Lambie (shoulder), centre Jean de Villiers (groin) and locks Victor Matfield (hamstring) and Bakkies Botha (knee) all had minor injuries.