Rugby-Australia need different mindset for Scotland test, Ikitau says


Rugby Union - Nations Championship - England v Australia - Allianz Stadium, Twickenham, Britain - November 8, 2026 England's Fin Smith shakes hands with Australia's Len Ikitau after the match Action Images via Reuters/Paul Childs

Nov 11 (Reuters) - Australia centre ⁠Len Ikitau said the Wallabies must change their mindset for Sunday's ⁠test against Scotland at Murrayfield or risk another damaging defeat ‌after last weekend’s record loss to England.

The 2027 World Cup hosts went down 45-22 at Twickenham on Sunday, the most points Australia have conceded in a test against England. ​They face a Scotland side also seeking a ⁠response after losing heavily to ⁠New Zealand.

"England kind of gave it to us from the start and ⁠put ‌us on a load of pressure and played the way that they wanted to play and we kind of sat back ⁠and watched them," Ikitau said.

"We can't be doing that ​against Scotland; we ‌really want to be going out there, especially in defence, and ⁠put them under ​the pressure.

"Playing in Scotland, that's where they come alive. We’ve worked on that massively this week," he told a press conference on Wednesday.

Ikitau said he had ⁠no idea why Australia were so flat ​at Twickenham.

"We had a great week ahead of the game, I thought the preparations were on point but sometimes you get to a game and ⁠you're just not there and I felt like we were off as a team and as a collective."

One problem is finding a settled partnership in midfield.

"We’re all over the shop at the moment and there have been ​some major fixes for us as a ⁠backline, working at training," Ikitau said.

"It’s been pretty tough trying to stick with ​the same centre pairing, and being able ‌to play consistently with the same people, ​but I feel like we've got a lot of good centres."

(Writing by Mark Gleeson in Cape Town; Editing by Ed Osmond)

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