Fever-hit Giteau starts for Aussies

Scotland were looking to end their Australasian tour and a 16-Test international season with an unlikely victory over the Wallabies at Sydney’s Telstra Stadium.

The local bookmakers were giving Matt Williams’ side little chance, quoting odds of an Australia victory – on their return to Sydney for the first time since the World Cup final – at 50-1 on.

The Wallabies suffered a setback earlier in the day when inside centre Matt Giteau was ruled out with flu, which has confined him to his bed.

Morgan Turinui was promoted for his first Test start since Australia’s defeat to England this time last year and scrum-half Matt Henjak, George Gregan’s reserve with the ACT Brumbies, included on the bench.

Scotland had selection problems of their own during the week after lock Stuart Grimes was suspended for “trampling” on Wallabies number eight David Lyons in the closing stages of last week’s 35-15 defeat.

When the International Rugby Board commission threw out Grimes’ appeal, Iain Fullarton was confirmed for his first start in four years with Newcastle’s Craig Hamilton on the bench – his first appearance in the Scotland Test squad.

Captain Scott Murray suffered severe bruising and internal bleeding to the hip in last week’s Test but was passed fit to play after intensive physio - including up to eight sessions a day.

Scotland took heart from their performance last week, particularly in defence, but needed to conjure more attacking options to threaten the Wallabies.

Australia: Roff, Sailor, Mortlock, Giteau, Tuqiri, Larkham, Gregan, Young, Cannon, Baxter, Harrison, Sharpe, Samo, Waugh, Lyons.

Replacements: Paul, Dunning, Vickerman, Smith, Turinui, Rathbone, Latham.

Scotland: Southwell, Lamont, Hinshelwood, Henderson, Webster, Parks, Cusiter, T. Smith, Bulloch, Douglas, Fullarton, Murray, White, MacFadyen, Hogg.

Replacements: Scott, C. Smith, Hamilton, Petrie, Blair, Ross, Morrison.

New Zealand 36-12 England RES

New Zealand: Evans, Muliaina, Umaga, Carter, Rokocoko, Spencer, Marshall, Meeuws, Mealamu, Hayman, Jack, Robinson, Gibbes, Holah, Rush.

Replacements: Hore, Woodcock, Collins, Kelleher, Mehrtens, Tuitupou.

England: Lewsey, Voyce, Tindall, Abbott, Cohen, Hodgson, Gomarsall, Woodman, Regan, White, Shaw, Borthwick, J. Worsley, Hill, Dallaglio.

Replacements: Titterell, Stevens, Grewcock, Lipman, M. Dawson, Barkley, Waters.