Jones stirred the pot on Wednesday when he said he feared Scotland would get stuck into the Wallabies and do anything to win the game.

The wily Wallaby mentor recalled the time when McGeechan was coach of the British Lions in an infamous Second Test match in Brisbane in 1989 when the Lions were denounced for employing thuggish tactics in winning 19-12 before going on to take the three-test series.

Scotland, who have made just one team change, are not being given much hope of upsetting the world champions, but Jones is emphatic McGeechan's Bravehearts will employ different tactics.

But 57-year-old McGeechan, who is moving upstairs to become director of Scottish Rugby after this tournament, was bemused by Jones' claims.

"Unless I'm mistaken we're all playing last-resort rugby, if you don't win you're home, I think that applies as much to Australia as it does to us," McGeechan said at the team announcement on Thursday.

"When you're in the knockout stages you're in the top eight, then obviously the game is raised and the stakes are raised.

"I think Eddie likes to talk to referees in different ways... unless I've missed something in the last 14 years I don't think it's been part of my game. I'm quite flattered he seems to think that I'm such a hard coach."

McGeechan named Sale flanker Jason White for Ross Beattie, who drops out of the 22-man squad that just got up 22-20 against Fiji in Sydney last weekend.

"We want a ball carrier and Jason played very well when he came on last week and it helps keep the balance we want in the back-row," McGeechan said.

McGeechan said a judicious kicking game will be crucial against the Wallabies, with the local media doubting the ability of former rugby league wingers Wendell Sailor and Lote Tuqiri to cope with the ball put in behind them.

"Having Gregor Townsend at outside-centre gives us those sorts of options along with Chris Paterson," he said.

"If you look at any top side now it's often the kicking game that determines the difference between the teams and the way the game is shaping up."

Townsend, shunted to number 13 to fit in the switch of Paterson to flyhalf, said Scotland would have to chase after their kicks with discipline to pressure the Wallaby back three.

"They're very good footballers. There's been a lot of chat in the papers that they can't defend and kick very well, but they seem to have done it well so far. Mat Rogers is a great footballer at the back," Townsend said.

"As long as we kick well and get our chase right then that's our main aims.

"They are runners first and foremost. Rogers is a very good kicker. But if we send one or two runners up they are going to beat us, so hopefully we'll be kicking with a good line."

Scotland:
Glenn Metcalfe (Glasgow); Simon Danielli (Bath/ENG), Gregor Townsend (Borders), Andrew Henderson (Glasgow), Kenny Logan (Wasps/ENG); Chris Paterson (Edinburgh), Bryan Redpath (Sale/ENG, capt); Simon Taylor (Edinburgh), Cameron Mather (Glasgow), Jason White (Sale/ENG); Stuart Grimes (Newcastle/ENG), Nathan Hines (Edinburgh); Bruce Douglas (Borders), Gordon Bulloch (Glasgow), Tom Smith (Northampton/ENG)
Replacements: Rob Russell (Saracens/ENG), Gordon McIlwham (Bordeaux-Begles/FRA), Scott Murray (Edinburgh), Jon Petrie (Glasgow), Michael Blair (Edinburgh), James McLaren (Bayonne/FRA), Ben Hinshelwood (Worcester/ENG).