2012 Scotland rugby union tour of Australia, Fiji and Samoa

In June 2012, the Scotland rugby union team made a tour of Australia, Fiji and Samoa, playing one test match against each.

2012 Scotland rugby union tour of Australia, Fiji and Samoa
Coach(es)	Andy Robinson
Tour captain(s)	Ross Ford
Top test point scorer(s)	Greig Laidlaw (38)
Top test try scorer(s)	Tim Visser (2)
Summary	P W D L
Total	03 03 00 00
Test match	03 03 00 00
Opponent	P W D L
Australia	1 1 0 0
Fiji	1 1 0 0
Samoa	1 1 0 0
Tour chronology
Next tour	Americas & SA 2014

The tour began with Scotland's second consecutive win over Australia, meaning they retained the Hopetoun Cup. (They had beaten Australia 9–8 at Murrayfield in 2009.^[1]) Scotland then travelled to Fiji, becoming the first "Tier 1" nation to play a test in a Pacific Island nation since Italy visited Fiji in 2006.^[2] Scotland recorded away victories over both Fiji and Samoa.

Scotland were also scheduled to play the New South Wales Waratahs on 10 June, but this match was called off on 11 May as the Waratahs were unable to field a team "due to injuries and the requirements of the Wallabies squad."^[3]

Squad

Initial 28-man squad, named on 16 May.^[4] Ages and caps correct as of 5 June 2012.

• Head coach: Andy Robinson

Note: Flags indicate national union for the club/province as defined by World Rugby.

Player	Position	Date of birth (age)	Caps	Club/province
Ross Ford (c)	Hooker	(1984-04-23)23 April 1984 (aged 28)	58	Edinburgh
Dougie Hall	Hooker	(1980-09-24)24 September 1980 (aged 31)	37	Glasgow Warriors
Scott Lawson	Hooker	(1981-09-28)28 September 1981 (aged 30)	32	Gloucester
Geoff Cross	Prop	(1982-12-11)11 December 1982 (aged 29)	13	Edinburgh
Ryan Grant	Prop	(1985-10-08)8 October 1985 (aged 26)	0	Glasgow Warriors
Euan Murray	Prop	(1980-08-07)7 August 1980 (aged 31)	44	Newcastle Falcons
Jon Welsh	Prop	(1986-10-13)13 October 1986 (aged 25)	1	Glasgow Warriors
Richie Gray	Lock	(1989-08-24)24 August 1989 (aged 22)	21	Glasgow Warriors
Alastair Kellock	Lock	(1981-06-14)14 June 1981 (aged 30)	41	Glasgow Warriors
Tom Ryder	Lock	(1985-02-21)21 February 1985 (aged 27)	0	Glasgow Warriors
John Barclay	Flanker	(1986-09-24)24 September 1986 (aged 25)	37	Glasgow Warriors
Rob Harley	Flanker	(1990-05-26)26 May 1990 (aged 22)	0	Glasgow Warriors
Ross Rennie	Flanker	(1986-03-29)29 March 1986 (aged 26)	16	Edinburgh
Alasdair Strokosch	Flanker	(1983-02-21)21 February 1983 (aged 29)	25	Gloucester
Richie Vernon	Number 8	(1987-07-07)7 July 1987 (aged 24)	18	Sale Sharks
Mike Blair	Scrum-half	(1981-04-20)20 April 1981 (aged 31)	80	Edinburgh
Chris Cusiter	Scrum-half	(1982-06-13)13 June 1982 (aged 29)	59	Glasgow Warriors
Greig Laidlaw	Scrum-half	(1985-10-12)12 October 1985 (aged 26)	7	Edinburgh
Duncan Weir	Fly-half	(1991-05-10)10 May 1991 (aged 21)	1	Glasgow Warriors
Joe Ansbro	Centre	(1985-10-29)29 October 1985 (aged 26)	9	London Irish
Nick De Luca	Centre	(1984-02-01)1 February 1984 (aged 28)	33	Edinburgh
Alex Grove	Centre	(1987-11-30)30 November 1987 (aged 24)	3	Worcester Warriors
Matt Scott	Centre	(1990-09-30)30 September 1990 (aged 21)	1	Edinburgh
Max Evans	Wing	(1983-09-12)12 September 1983 (aged 28)	28	Castres
Sean Lamont	Wing	(1981-01-15)15 January 1981 (aged 31)	65	Scarlets
Tim Visser	Wing	(1987-05-29)29 May 1987 (aged 25)	0	Edinburgh
Tom Brown	Fullback	(1990-03-31)31 March 1990 (aged 22)	0	Edinburgh
Stuart Hogg	Fullback	(1992-06-24)24 June 1992 (aged 19)	4	Glasgow Warriors

The following players were called up during the tour:

Note: Flags indicate national union for the club/province as defined by World Rugby.

Player	Position	Date of birth (age)	Caps	Club/province
Alex Dunbar[5]	Centre	(1990-04-23)23 April 1990 (aged 22)	0	Glasgow Warriors
Stuart McInally[5]	Number 8	(1990-09-09)9 September 1990 (aged 21)	0	Edinburgh
Moray Low (for Jon Welsh[6])	Prop	(1984-11-28)28 November 1984 (aged 27)	15	Glasgow Warriors

Matches

Australia v Scotland

5 June 2012 19:30 AEST (UTC+10)

Australia	6–9	Scotland
Pen: Harris (2/2) 32', 42'	Report[1]	Pen: Laidlaw (3/4) 22', 27', 80'

Hunter Stadium, Newcastle Attendance: 20,088 Referee: Jaco Peyper (South Africa)

FB 15 Luke Morahan RW 14 Joe Tomane OC 13 Anthony Fainga'a IC 12 Mike Harris LW 11 Lote Tuqiri FH 10 Berrick Barnes SH 9 George Gregan )(c) N8 8 Scott Higginbotham OF 7 David Pocock BF 6 Dave Dennis  65' RL 5 Nathan Sharpe LL 4 Sitaleki Timani  54' TP 3 Dan Palmer  70' HK 2 Stephen Moore LP 1 James Slipper Replacements: HK 16 Saia Fainga'a PR 17 Ben Alexander  70' LK 18 Rob Simmons  54' FL 19 Michael Hooper  65' SH 20 Nick Phipps CE 21 Pat McCabe WG 22 Adam Ashley-Cooper Coach: Robbie Deans

FB 15 Stuart Hogg RW 14 Joe Ansbro OC 13 Nick De Luca IC 12 Matt Scott LW 11 Sean Lamont  38' FH 10 Greig Laidlaw SH 9 Mike Blair  63' N8 8 John Barclay OF 7 Ross Rennie BF 6 Alasdair Strokosch RL 5 Richie Gray LL 4 Alastair Kellock TP 3 Euan Murray HK 2 Ross Ford (c) LP 1 Ryan Grant Replacements: HK 16 Scott Lawson PR 17 Jon Welsh LK 18 Tom Ryder N8 19 Richie Vernon SH 20 Chris Cusiter  63' FH 21 Duncan Weir FB 22 Tom Brown  38' Coach: Andy Robinson

Touch judges: Craig Joubert (South Africa) Keith Brown (New Zealand) Television match official: Vinny Munro (New Zealand)

• Six players made their full international debuts for Australia: Dan Palmer, Dave Dennis, Michael Hooper, Mike Harris, Joe Tomane and Luke Morahan.
• Two players made their full international debuts for Scotland: Ryan Grant and Tom Brown.

Fiji v Scotland

16 June 2012 14:00 (UTC+12)

Fiji	25–37	Scotland
Try: Domolailai 24' m Nayacalevu 48' c Talebula 64' c Con: Ralulu (2/3) Pen: Ralulu (2/3) 5', 7'	Report[7]	Try: Laidlaw 16' c Penalty try 21' c Visser (2) 36' c, 72' c Con: Laidlaw (4/4) Pen: Laidlaw (3/3) 32', 46', 69'

Churchill Park, Lautoka Attendance: 15,000[8] Referee: Jaco Peyper (South Africa)

FB 15 Isimeli Koniferedi  60' RW 14 Waisea Nayacalevu OC 13 Vereniki Goneva IC 12 Aloisio Buto  58' LW 11 Watisoni Votu FH 10 Jonetai Ralulu SH 9 Nikola Matawalu  66' N8 8 Netani Talei (c) OF 7 Malakai Ravulo  17' BF 6 Iliesa Ratuva  70' RL 5 Leone Nakarawa LL 4 Apisai Naikatini TP 3 Setefano Somoca HK 2 Viliame Veikoso  60' LP 1 Jerry Yanuyanutawa  58' Replacements: HK 16 Talemaitoga Tuapati  60' PR 17 Waisea Nailago  58' FL 18 Josefa Domolailai  17' LK 19 Kelepi Ketedromo  70' SH 20 Nemia Kenatale  66' WG 21 Kameli Ratuvou  58' FB 22 Metuisela Talebula  60' Coach: Inoke Male

FB 15 Stuart Hogg RW 14 Max Evans  62' OC 13 Nick De Luca IC 12 Matt Scott LW 11 Tim Visser FH 10 Greig Laidlaw  77' SH 9 Mike Blair  55' N8 8 John Barclay  58' OF 7 Ross Rennie BF 6 Alasdair Strokosch RL 5 Richie Gray  78' LL 4 Alastair Kellock TP 3 Euan Murray  66' HK 2 Ross Ford (c)  77' LP 1 Ryan Grant Replacements: HK 16 Scott Lawson  77' PR 17 Geoff Cross  66' LK 18 Tom Ryder  78' FL 19 Richie Vernon  58' SH 20 Chris Cusiter  55' FH 21 Duncan Weir  77' WG 22 Sean Lamont  62' Coach: Andy Robinson

Touch judges: Ian Smith (Australia) Andrew Lees (Australia)

• Tim Visser made his debut for Scotland, only four days after becoming eligible by completing three years' residency.

Samoa v Scotland

23 June 2012 15:30 (UTC+12)

Samoa	16–17	Scotland
Try: Pisi 61' c Con: Pisi (1/1) 62' Pen: Pisi (2/3) 23', 42' Drop: Pisi 15'	Report[9]	Try: Ansbro 17' c Rob Harley 78' c Con: Laidlaw (2/2) 18', 79' Pen: Laidlaw (1/1) 51'

Apia Park, Apia Referee: Jaco Peyper (South Africa)

FB 15 Fa'atoina Autagavai RW 14 Paul Perez OC 13 Fautua Otto  28' IC 12 Paul Williams LW 11 David Lemi (c) FH 10 Tusi Pisi SH 9 Kahn Fotuali'i  79' N8 8 Kane Thompson OF 7 Maurie Fa'asavalu BF 6 Ben Masoe  58' RL 5 Daniel Crichton  40' LL 4 Fa'atiga Lemalu TP 3 Census Johnston  40'  73'  76' HK 2 Ti'i Paulo  64' LP 1 Sakaria Taulafo  73'  76' Replacements: HK 16 Ole Avei  64' PR 17 Logovi'i Mulipola  40' LK 18 Joe Tekori  40' FL 19 Afa Aioni  58' SH 20 Jeremy Su'a  79' FH 21 Ki Anufe FB 22 Lolo Lui  28' Coach: Stephen Betham

FB 15 Stuart Hogg RW 14 Sean Lamont OC 13 Joe Ansbro  58' IC 12 Matt Scott LW 11 Tim Visser FH 10 Greig Laidlaw SH 9 Chris Cusiter  44' N8 8 Richie Vernon  63' OF 7 Ross Rennie BF 6 Alasdair Strokosch RL 5 Alastair Kellock  70' LL 4 Richie Gray TP 3 Euan Murray HK 2 Ross Ford (c)  64' LP 1 Ryan Grant Replacements: HK 16 Scott Lawson  64' PR 17 Geoff Cross LK 18 Tom Ryder  70' FL 19 Rob Harley  63' SH 20 Mike Blair  44' FH 21 Duncan Weir WG 22 Max Evans  58' Coach: Andy Robinson

Touch judges: Ian Smith (Australia) Andrew Lees (Australia)

• Originally, New Zealand referee Chris Pollock was meant to referee this match, but due to injury, Jaco Peyper of South Africa took over. He is the same referee who refereed both the Australia and the Fiji game.
• It was announced just 50 minutes before kick off that Nick De Luca was out of the match due to thigh strain, and would be replaced by Joe Ansbro.

Tour statistics

Player	Position	Start	Rep	Unused Rep	Minutes Played	Tries	Cons	Pens	Drops	Yellow cards	Red cards	Total points
Ross Ford	Hooker	3	0	0	221	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Dougie Hall	Hooker	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Scott Lawson	Hooker	0	2	1	19	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Geoff Cross	Prop	0	1	1	14	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Ryan Grant	Prop	3	0	0	240	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Moray Low	Prop	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Euan Murray	Prop	3	0	0	226	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Jon Welsh	Prop	0	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Richie Gray	Lock	3	0	0	238	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Alastair Kellock	Lock	3	0	0	230	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Tom Ryder	Lock	0	2	1	12	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
John Barclay	Flanker	2	0	0	138	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Rob Harley	Flanker	0	1	0	17	1	0	0	0	0	0	5
Ross Rennie	Flanker	3	0	0	240	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Alasdair Strokosch	Flanker	3	0	0	240	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Stuart McInally	Number 8	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Richie Vernon	Number 8	1	1	1	85	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Mike Blair	Scrum-half	2	1	0	154	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Chris Cusiter	Scrum-half	1	2	0	86	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Greig Laidlaw	Scrum-half	3	0	0	237	1	6	7	0	0	0	38
Duncan Weir	Fly-half	0	1	2	3	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Joe Ansbro	Centre	2	0	0	138	1	0	0	0	0	0	5
Nick De Luca	Centre	2	0	0	160	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Alex Dunbar	Centre	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Alex Grove	Centre	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Matt Scott	Centre	3	0	0	240	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Max Evans	Wing	1	1	0	84	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Sean Lamont	Wing	2	1	0	136	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Tim Visser	Wing	2	0	0	160	2	0	0	0	0	0	10
Tom Brown	Fullback	0	1	0	42	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Stuart Hogg	Fullback	3	0	0	240	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Penalty try	-	-	-	-	-	1	-	-	-	-	-	5
Total	-	-	-	-	-	6	6	7	0	0	0	63

See also

• 2012 mid-year rugby test series
• 2012 England rugby union tour of South Africa
• 2012 Wales rugby union tour of Australia
• 2012 Ireland rugby union tour of New Zealand
• 2012 France rugby union tour of Argentina
• History of rugby union matches between Fiji and Scotland
• History of rugby union matches between Samoa and Scotland
• History of rugby union matches between Australia and Scotland

References

1. "Australia 6–9 Scotland". BBC. 5 June 2012. Retrieved 14 September 2017.
2. "Inbound tours return for Pacific Islands" (Press release). International Rugby Board. 15 June 2012. Archived from the original on 18 June 2012. Retrieved 18 June 2012.
3. Scottish Rugby Team Website – Scotland Summer Tour Update Scottish Rugby Union. 11 May 2012. Retrieved 20 June 2012
4. Five uncapped players named in Scotland summer tour squad Archived 20 May 2012 at the Wayback Machine Scottish Rugby Union. 16 May 2012. Retrieved 20 June 2012.
5. Duo called up to Scotland squad Scottish Rugby Union. 31 May 2012. Retrieved 25 June 2012
6. Welsh ruled out of Scotland tour Scottish Rugby Union. 8 June 2012. Retrieved 20 June 2012
7. "Fiji 25–37 Scotland". BBC. 16 June 2012. Retrieved 14 September 2017.
8. Rugby Union – ESPN Scrum – Fiji v Scotland at Lautoka, June 16, 2012 ESPN Scrum. 16 June 2012. Retrieved 20 June 2012.
9. "Samoa 16–17 Scotland". BBC. 23 June 2012. Retrieved 14 September 2017.

External links

• 2012 Scotland rugby union tour of Australasia at ESPN