The Grand Slam dream is over. That means Australia can now focus on their rugby, instead of worrying about results.

And there's no better place that the hallowed turf of Murrayfield to start displaying the true qualities, against a Scottish team also keen to play some quality rugby.

How often don't we hear coaches say: 'If we do the basics right, the result will take care of itself.'

That applies very much to both coaches.

New Scotland mentor Andy Robinson did not have the 'distraction' of chasing a grand slam when he started his tenure against Fiji last week.

His team managed a scratchy win, but he has promised an improved showing - something Wallaby mentor Robbie Deans has taken note of.

Although Australia have totally dominated their recent relationship with Scotland - winning the last 16 encounters dating back to 1982 - Deans has resisted the temptation to make wholesale personnel changes, and warned Australians not to under-estimate the home side.

"They're playing at home, have nothing to lose, and much to gain," he said.

"They'll bring a lot of enthusiasm and hunger to Saturday. They'll also be very physical, totally committed and well organized."

Deans also has huge respect for his coaching rival - England's former World Cup-winning assistant coach, Robinson.

"Andy's record as a coach is outstanding and he'll do some very good things with Scotland," Deans says.

"They started with a win last weekend over Fiji, but I'm sure they will have kept a few things up their sleeve for us!"

Australia has prepared this week in the knowledge that it can no longer achieve a Grand Slam of Great Britain and Ireland.

Despite the absence of that incentive, Deans insists the Wallabies have much to play for.

They have quickly set aside the disappointment of being denied at the death last Sunday during the drawn match against the reigning Six Nations Grand Slam champions.

The Wallabies' sights are now set on the completion of an unbeaten visit to Great Britain and Ireland. This is a feat which eluded even the country's only successful Grand Slam achieving touring party.

Australia's Test with Scotland will be followed by next Tuesday's tour match against Celtic League club, the Cardiff Blues.

Cardiff beat the 1984 Australian tourists.

The current tourists then wrap up their visit with a Test against Wales at the Millennium Stadium on Saturday week, where the James Bevan Trophy, which Australia surrendered during last year's 18-21 loss at Cardiff, will once again be up for grabs.

But first up there is the Hopetoun Cup, which was first played for between Australia and Scotland in 1998. It is named for the Seventh Earl of Hopetoun, a Scot who presided over the Federation of Australia as the then Governor General in 1901. The Cup is crystal and was designed by Royal Doulton in London.

It has been held by Australia since its inception.

Players to watch:

For Scotland: By the nature of his role - both as scrumhalf and captain - Chris Cusiter will be in the spotlight. It will also be worth watching how Rory Lamont, at fullback, and Sean Lamont, on the right wing, combine. They are likely to be tested by the educated boots of Matt Giteau and Adam Ashley-Cooper. Johnnie Beattie, Nathan Hines and Ross Ford are the key forwards.

For Australia: The combination of Quade Cooper and Matt Giteau, who last week shared the 'first receiver' duties, could be the biggest threat to the Scottish defensive lines. They are both very creative players and deceptive runners. The return of George Smith, the only change to the starting XV from last week's draw against Ireland, will mean some spotlight is reserved for the openside flank.

Head to head: The first face-off you always look at is at flyhalf - in this case Phil Godman (Scotland) against Matt Giteau (Australia). But, by the nature of their interchanging roles, Giteau and inside centre Quade Cooper will ensure that Graeme Morrison and Godman will have to come to the game as a package. The Australian scrum has been impressive all year, which will ensure the showdown of the front rows - Moray Low, Ross Ford and Allan Jacobsen (Scotland) against Ben Alexander, Stephen Moore and Benn Robinson (Australia) - will be an interesting side show.

Recent encounters:
1997: Australia won 37-8, Edinburgh
1998: Australia 45-3, Sydney
1998: Australia 33-11, Brisbane
2000: Australia 30-9, Edinburgh
2003: Australia 33-16, Brisbane (World Cup)
2004: Australia 35-15, Melbourne
2004: Australia 34-13, Sydney
2004: Australia 31-14, Edinburgh
2004: Australia 31-17, Glasgow
2006: Australia 44-15, Edinburgh

iafrica.com Prediction: A lot will depend on how quickly the Australians have recovered from the disappointment of last week's last-minute draw against Ireland - which shattered their grand slam dream. In many ways that took a huge burden off the Wallabies, who can now focus on continuing some of the growth they have shown this year. Scotland are also still in a 'development phase' under a new coach. However, we feel the Wallabies have too much class and while it will be close for the first hour, Australia will race clear in the end and win by about 15 points.

Teams:

Scotland: 15 Rory Lamont, 14 Sean Lamont, 13 Alex Grove, 12 Graeme Morrison, 11 Simon Danielli, 10 Phil Godman, 9 Chris Cusiter (captain), 8 Johnnie Beattie, 7 John Barclay, 6 Alasdair Strokosch, 5 Alastair Kellock, 4 Nathan Hines, 3 Moray Low, 2 Ross Ford, 1 Allan Jacobsen.
Replacements: 16 Dougie Hall, 17 Kyle Traynor, 18 Jason White, 19 Richie Vernon, 20 Mike Blair, 21 Chris Paterson, 22 Nick De Luca.

Australia: 15 Adam Ashley-Cooper, 14 Peter Hynes, 13 Digby Ioane, 12 Quade Cooper, 11 Drew Mitchell, 10 Matt Giteau, 9 Will Genia, 8 Wycliff Palu, 7 George Smith, 6 Rocky Elsom (captain), 5 Mark Chisholm, 4 James Horwill, 3 Ben Alexander, 2 Stephen Moore, 1 Benn Robinson.
Replacements: 16 Tatafu Polota-Nau, 17 Sekope Kepu, 18 Dean Mumm, 19 Richard Brown, 20 Luke Burgess, 21 Ryan Cross, 22 James O'Connor.

Date: Saturday, November 21
Venue: Murrayfield, Edinburgh
Kick-off: 17.15 (17.15 GMT; 04.15 AEST, November 22)
Expected weather: Heavy rain. High of 10°C and a low of 8°C
Referee: Romain Poite (France)
Assistant referees: Nigel Owens (Wales), Jérôme Garces (France)
TMO: Graham Hughes (England)

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