Paterson handed fly-half chance

Scotland coach Ian McGeechan has taken a massive World Cup gamble by naming Chris Paterson at stand-off for Saturday’s make-or-break qualification decider with Fiji.

Since his days as an outstanding junior at Gala, Paterson has always been seen as an international fly-half of the future but has never started in the position in any of his 38 previous Test outings.

However, following the record 51-9 hammering by France last weekend, Scotland cannot lose at the weekend if they are to advance into the quarter-finals and McGeechan has opted to take drastic action.

Gregor Townsend has been shunted to outside centre in place of Andy Craig, with Bath flyer Simon Danielli recalled to the wing spot Paterson has vacated.

“I wanted two playmakers on the field and when I look at the team, I am quite excited about it,” said McGeechan.

“I have said before I wanted to give Chris a chance at fly-half. He has done well in training this week and this is as good an opportunity as any. I believe this is a very positive step.”

McGeechan is clearly banking on Paterson and Townsend to open up a Fijian defence which can sometimes appear ragged such is the dynamic way they attack.

With little quality possession, Townsend disappointed against the French, although giving Paterson his head in such an important contest – which would be McGeechan’s last as coach if Scotland were to lose – represents a huge leap of faith with the Edinburgh player.

Only once in a Scotland shirt – against the Barbarians last May – has Paterson occupied the fly-half berth and the 25-year-old has only appeared in the position once for his district side in the last three seasons.

McGeechan knows Paterson will only be able to weave his magic if the Scottish pack can produce a stronger display than the one they put in against France.

He has made three changes in that area, with Bruce Douglas coming into the front-row in place of neck injury victim Gavin Kerr, Ross Beattie taking Jason White’s back-row spot and Nathan Hines replacing Scott Murray at lock.

It was only two years ago that Murray was seen as the best second-row in Britain. Times appear to have changed though and McGeechan admitted it was purely a decision taken on recent form.

“You have to look at the balance of the pack and how well each individual is playing,” said McGeechan.

“Everybody was bitterly disappointed with what happened against France and we feel the changes will improve the side.”

Scotland’s campaign has been riddled with misfortune and for the second time in the competition, they will find themselves moving hotels in the build-up to the game.

They will abandon their beachside location tomorrow in favour of Darling Harbour in the city centre, a move which has been made partly because of the lack of privacy in their current abode and also because of the large number of Scottish supporters in Sydney.

It’s all part of McGeechan’s plan to relax his team ahead of the enormous challenge they are facing this weekend.

“The players know how important this game is but the worst thing they can do is get uptight and afraid to play,” he said.

“We know they are good rugby players, we have to make sure they perform like it.”

Scotland team to play Fiji at Aussie Stadium on Saturday, November 1.

G Metcalfe (Glasgow); S Danielli (Bath), G Townsend (Borders), A Henderson (Glasgow), K Logan (Wasps); C Paterson (Edinburgh), B Redpath (Sale); T Smith (Northampton), G Bulloch (Glasgow), B Douglas (Borders), N Hines (Edinburgh), S Grimes (Newcastle), R Beattie (Gwent Dragons), C Mather (Glasgow), S Taylor (Edinburgh).

Replacements: R Russell (Saracens), G McIlwham (Munster), J White (Sale), J Petrie (Glasgow), M Blair (Edinburgh), J McLaren (Aviron Bayonnais), B Hinshelwood (Worcester).