Tuipulotu: Scotland must put right All Blacks no-show against Australia
Scotland captain Sione Tuipulotu says his side are set on bouncing back at Murrayfield on Sunday, with Australia also hurting after their defeat by England.
Scotland host Australia at Murrayfield on Sunday in the Nations Championship, with both sides looking to recover from heavy defeats last weekend. Kick-off is 15:10 GMT.
The Wallabies lost 45-22 to England at Twickenham, while Scotland were beaten by New Zealand at Murrayfield. BBC Sport has billed the game as a meeting of two unpredictable teams, each capable of brilliance and of dropping well below their best.
Scotland's position
Scotland are fourth in the northern hemisphere standings with two wins and two defeats. France lead the northern pool by six points with one game to play.
Tuipulotu wants a response
Scotland captain Sione Tuipulotu, who was born in Australia, says the second-half display against the All Blacks is the main motivation for his team.
Our minds are firmly set on bouncing back after last week. That performance wasn't good enough.
Tuipulotu said the squad had confronted the defeat and that he was proud of how they had rallied during the week. He expects Australia to be hurting too.
"We know that Australia will also be a wounded team coming here after what happened against England at Twickenham," he said, according to BBC Sport.
He added that he always feels a little extra fire against the Wallabies, having faced them with both Scotland and the Lions.
Suaalii back at 13
Much of the criticism of Australia after Twickenham fell on Joseph Suaalii, the 23-year-old rugby league convert. Former England international Chris Ashton, who also switched from league to union, was among the critics.
"This Suaalii gamble, I dread to think how much he gets paid. He doesn't look like an international rugby union player to me," Ashton said, according to BBC Sport.
Suaalii started on the wing against England but returns to the 13 jersey at Murrayfield, setting up a midfield contest with Tuipulotu. The pair had a memorable collision when the sides last met two years ago.
What is at stake
The Nations Championship pits the Six Nations sides against southern hemisphere opposition. Scotland face Japan on 21 November, and the finals weekend runs from 27 to 29 November at Allianz Stadium.
Who will bounce back on Sunday, and why?
