Apex Scores Lite Apex Scores Lite flag
back Retour
Australia need different mindset for Scotland test, Ikitau says
Rugby Union - Nations Championship - England v Australia - Allianz Stadium, Twickenham, Britain - November 8, 2026 England's Fin Smith shakes hands with Australia's Len Ikitau after the match Action Images via Reuters/Paul Childs REUTERS

Nov 11 - Australia centre Len Ikitau said the Wallabies must change their mindset for Sunday's test against Scotland at Murrayfield or risk another damaging defeat after last weekend’s record loss to England.

The 2027 World Cup hosts went down 45-22 at Twickenham on Sunday, the most points Australia have conceded in a test against England. They face a Scotland side also seeking a response after losing heavily to New Zealand.

"England kind of gave it to us from the start and put us on a load of pressure and played the way that they wanted to play and we kind of sat back and watched them," Ikitau said.

"We can't be doing that against Scotland; we really want to be going out there, especially in defence, and put them under the pressure.

"Playing in Scotland, that's where they come alive. We’ve worked on that massively this week," he told a press conference on Wednesday.

Ikitau said he had no idea why Australia were so flat at Twickenham.

"We had a great week ahead of the game, I thought the preparations were on point but sometimes you get to a game and you're just not there and I felt like we were off as a team and as a collective."

One problem is finding a settled partnership in midfield.

"We’re all over the shop at the moment and there have been some major fixes for us as a backline, working at training," Ikitau said.

"It’s been pretty tough trying to stick with the same centre pairing, and being able to play consistently with the same people, but I feel like we've got a lot of good centres." REUTERS

You may like

All Black Barrett’s push for World Cup swansong going swimmingly

straitstimes.com il y a 2 heures

Scotland have yet to prove they are a top team, says centre Jones

straitstimes.com il y a 2 jours

Dupont to play a flyhalf for France against South Africa

straitstimes.com il y a 1 jour

Ireland make seven changes for Fiji as Beirne takes captaincy

straitstimes.com il y a 50 minutes

Against France who ‘love to scrum’, Boks need to fix issues exposed by Italy: Ox Nché

timeslive.co.za il y a 4 heures

Five changes for Argentina clash with Italy as captain Montoya ruled out

straitstimes.com il y a 3 heures

Ireland 'won't get into arm wrestle' with Fiji

bbc.co.uk il y a 1 jour

Seven changes, two positional switches and one potential debutant — Andy Farrell names fresh Irel...

independent.ie il y a 2 heures

Price trains with Scotland as Warr drops out

aol.com il y a 2 jours

Coach Dalziel insists Scotland’s porous defence is not an issue... 'Are we conceding too many tri...

dailymail.co.uk il y a 21 heures