Wallaby captain Stephen Moore to reach 100 game milestone against Scotland

Walker will link up with the squad immediately at their Surrey base ahead of this weekend’s quarter-final appointment with two-time world champions South Africa. “You can take us for granted all you want, and you’ll get bitten”.

Giteau is returning to the venue that launched his worldwide career 13 years ago as he continues to cement his place as one of the Wallabies’ most respected leaders.

“I probably had a bit more hair back then, that was the main difference”, Moore said when asked to recall his Test debut. “We’ve got a great opportunity to play in the quarterfinal of a World Cup and that’s more than enough to play for”.

Moore could have reached his 100th cap earlier had it not been for a season-ending injury in a 2014 Test. Giteau moved to France to play for Toulon. But we’re not looking at them like they’re unbeatable – we can beat them and have beaten them in the past.

“It’s not just any team we are up against this weekend, it’s Australia – one of the biggest teams in the world”.

“I certainly remember my debut”.

“At the time [Wallabies coach] Eddie Jones had a score system where everything positive you did [earned] a point, anything negative you lost a point”.

But Kuridrani again came to Australia’s rescue, crashing over from close range after Rob Simmons had won a lineout on Scotland’s throw, to put the lead back out to eight points with 15 minutes to play, before the late game drama of Bennett’s intercept try and Foley’s last-gasp victor.

“I think I was the only player to finish with a minus. To be able to sing your national anthem and represent your family, your friends and your country, it’s very special”.

Moore joins the hundred club with fellow current players Matt Giteau (who also joins the 100 club against Scotland) and Adam Ashley-Cooper. It was a narrow margin but that certainly does help create a psyche where you become aware of the ability in yourself to win tight games. They’re all on a journey together.

“Yeah it’s a milestone and it’s something that not many people have achieved”.

The ruptured ACL ruined his first game as Wallabies captain, his first long-term injury, setting back the milestone.

However, despite escaping with a win, Wallabies coach Michael Cheika will have much to think about.

“Like I said going into the week, you always want to put your hands up for selection and, when you have no say in the matter, it’s really hard”.

“I wasn’t knocked out, I was conscious the whole time but I felt completely lethargic, I had absolutely no energy”.

“He didn’t train today but we’re hopeful he’ll be right to train tomorrow [Wednesday], and the way we have been selecting the team is if he is fit to play on game day, he is available to be selected”, Larkham said. “If you have the choice you accept it and play under that, or don’t be involved”. The plan, Grant says, is to get the ball away from the scrum before Australia have managed to get the nudge.