The Wallabies fear Scotland's strongly All Blacks-influenced style could derail their grand slam tilt before their major showdowns with Ireland and England.
Australia's hopes of beating all four home nations were boosted by a polished opening victory over Wales and the tourists will start warm favourites against Scotland at Murrayfield on Sunday morning (NZ Time).
Australian rugby player Nick Phipps Photo: Photosport
Scotland are coached by New Zealand's Vern Cotter and have a distinctly All Black flavour in the way they attack games - a threat which should sound alarm bells for the Wallabies.
Halfback Nick Phipps - who faces a challenge for the No.9 jersey from Will Genia now that he's joined the team in Edinburgh - said the Wallabies are prepared for Scotland's defusing tactics.
"They've got quite a Kiwi influence ... they're very defensive, very pressure- oriented around the breakdown especially," he said.
"So it's going to make life pretty tough for the 9 and 10 around that area."
He said the raucous crowd in Edinburgh is also likely to lift the home side to yet another level.
- AAP
