Australia vs Scotland - RWC 2015 Quarter-Final Prediction

This one will be rather straightforward. The Australians showed how they can punish teams with good, quick ball against England, and then they went on to prove against Wales that even with 13 men they can prevent a team scoring. Scotland on the other hand are lucky to be here. They scraped past Samoa, and beat a fatigued Japan side that arguably deserved a spot in the quarter-finals more than the Scots. If Scotland's defence is as sloppy as it was against Samoa, this could be truly embarassing for Cotter and his men.

Bennett, Hogg and J Gray are Scotland's best players, but even they won't be able to save what could be a pretty big scoreline judging by the pool stage performances. Folau, Foley, Giteau and almost every Australian player will fancy this opportunity to build real momentum and pile on the points. Let's not forget David Pocock either, who is putting his name forward for the best player in rugby, with his insatiable hunger for turnovers. Scotland won't see much of the ball this game, and when they do it will likey be a panicked kick for touch.

I'm not discounting a Scottish try, that would be foolish when Maitland, Bennet, Hogg and Russell are there, but I can only really see it coming one way having looked at the Australian defence so far, and that would be through an interception/dropped ball fly-hacked through for Hogg to chase. If the Scots are to stand a chance, this try needs to come early, they need ot build belief and take the wind out of the Australian sails. However, this will be a comfortable Australian victory, and Scotland will prove just how out of their depth they are at the moment in the quarter-finals of a World Cup.

Prediction: Australia by 25+