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 On the rebound Scotland almost at full-strength against Uruguay
Posted: Thursday October 07, 1999 11:19 AM
EDINBURGH, Scotland (AP) -- After mighty South Africa, it's back down to earth for Scotland as they take on Uruguay. But for coach Jim Telfer, Friday's game is a chance for his players to prove they've learned lessons from defeat. Telfer resisted the temptation to field his reserves against the inexperienced South Americans, knowing he will have to do that in the final group game against Spain since Scotland -- barring freak results -- will face a playoff match four days later. The only change to the team which lost to the Springboks is the introduction of Jamie Mayer for the injured John Leslie at inside center, with Shaun Longstaff taking the vacant place on the substitute's bench. "We will always make mistakes because that is the nature of the game but we have to reduce the unforced errors," Telfer said. He was particularly disappointed with his team's lineout against the South Africans, and is looking for a major improvement. "Uruguay are good scrummagers and are not to be underestimated," he said. "We have to make sure we play the type of game we want to." Uruguay got off to a dream start in its first ever World Cup, defeating Spain 15-7 in the opening match. If the South Americans were to do the unthinkable and claim Scotland's scalp, they would be through to the quarterfinal playoffs at their host's expense. But the South Americans say they expect nothing short of a thumping. "It would be crazy for us to even think of qualifying," said coach Daniel Herrera. "We can't even say we'll be going out looking for a win." His team -- all amateurs except Bristol's Pablo Lemoine -- include 40-year-old horse veterinarian Diego Ormaechea, the tournament's oldest player. The South Americans are strong in the pack, though, and will look to suffocate Scotland's game plan, which will focus on feeding the fast backline to recreate the form which won them the Five Nations tournament in April. Herrera has made no changes to the side that won in Galashiels. Scotland's Gregor Townsend will be relishing the chance to get on the field to wipe out the memory of what he admits was a below-par performance against South Africa. Telfer said he was "rusty" and will welcome the chance for his inspirational flyhalf to get another game under his belt. Presuming they beat Uruguay and Spain, Scotland could face Argentina or Samoa in a playoff, and baring in mind how Argentina stormed to victory at Murrayfield in the warmup to the World Cup, they'll need to be at their strongest by then. But Gary Armstrong, the captain, says he's taking nothing for granted. "Rugby's a funny game and we got beaten by Argentina. So we're taking this match seriously," he said. "If we get beaten then we're out and we can't afford that. We have to play as if it were a question of life or death." Ironically, the Uruguayans say they're glad to be facing Scotland's first-choice team. "We'd really fear the reserves because they'd be out to prove a point and win a place in the starting lineup," says Ormaechea. "The regulars, on the other hand, will think we're clumsy fools and will be scared of getting injured." Lineups: Scotland -- Glenn Metcalfe; Cammie Murray, Alan Tait, Jamie Mayer, Kenny Logan; Gregor Townsend, Gary Armstrong; Gordon Simpson, Buge Pountney, Martin Leslie, Stuart Grimes, Scott Murray, George Graham, Gordon Bulloch, Tom Smith. Uruguay -- Alfonso Cardoso; Martin Ferres, Pedro Vecino, Martin Mendaro, Pablo Costabile; Diego Aguirre, Federico Sciarra; Diego Ormaechea, Martin Panizza, Nicolas Brignoni, Juan Carlos Brado, Mario Lame, Pablo Lemoine, Rodrigo Sanchez, DiegoLamelas.
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