Australia v Scotland preview

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A complete mismatch looms as Mal Meninga takes the opportunity to blood rookies against Scotland.

With a relatively comfortable victory predicted, Meninga has grasped at the chance to give some of his backups a shot in the Australian jumper - an opportunity all are likely to appreciate seeing it may be their only chance. However, when you are able to pinpoint Matt Moylan, James Maloney, Jake Trbojevic, Jake Friend and Justin O'Neill as ‘backups' you know that your depth is quite considerable. They will be dutifully led by stalwarts in Cameron Smith and Cooper Cronk as the Kangaroos look to open formal proceedings in stellar fashion. It was an impressive performance from Meninga's men recently when they took down the Kiwis 26-6 in a friendly in Perth.

Steve McCormack, however, despite his side's long odds, will name a strong line up for Scotland's standards with Danny Brough skippering a side which boasts familiar names such as Lachlan Coote, Euan Aitken, Kane Linnett and Luke Douglas. Australia and Scotland are yet to clash in international Rugby League prior to Saturday morning, however, McCormack will be hoping his side can overcome incredibly long odds and claim a massive scalp to kick start their campaign. Scotland's only practice prior to their clash with the Kangaroos came in the form of a 48-16 victory over Cumbria Select XIII.

Last meeting: Australia and Scotland, as mentioned earlier, are yet to clash at International level.

Who to watch: Look out for a classy match up on Saturday morning between the halfbacks. Cronk is a notable success at International level and his recent Dally M Medal proved the form that he carries into the 2016 Four Nations. Cronk only trails Jonathan Thurston when it comes to try assists with 23 and will be given the perfect opportunity to weave his magic on Saturday morning against Scotland.

Scottish halfback Brough, however, is no nobody. The 2013 Man of Steel has been a consistently impressive performer for Huddersfield. Although his side finished at the bottom of the ladder, Brough's kicking game is of note and this skill will need to be replicated if he can outdo his opposite number and lead his side to victory on Saturday morning.

The favourite: There is no head-to-head market for this one, indicative of the gulf in class between the sides. Scotland are slightly favoured with the +44.5 start.

My tip: There is little doubt over who the winner will be for this one. The likes of Moylan and Maloney have shone at club level and will prove themselves to be perfect additions to an already professional squad. Australia should cruise to victory on Saturday morning unless they have one eye fixed on the Kiwis. Australia by 30.

1. Matt Moylan 2. Josh Mansour 3. Justin O'Neill 4. Josh Dugan 5. Blake Ferguson 6. James Maloney 7. Cooper Cronk 8. Aaron Woods 9. Cameron Smith 10. David Klemmer 11. Sam Thaiday 12. Tyson Frizell 13. Jake Trbojevic
Interchange: 14. Jake Friend 15. Shannon Boyd 16. Trent Merrin 17. Michael Morgan 18. Valentine Holmes 19. Boyd Cordner

19-man squad: Danny Addy (Bradford), Euan Aitken (St George Illawarra), Ryan Brierley (Huddersfield), Sam Brooks (Widnes), Danny Brough (Huddersfield, capt), Lachlan Coote (North Queensland Cowboys), Luke Douglas (Gold Coast Titans), Dale Ferguson (Bradford), Ben Hellewell (London Broncos), Liam Hood (Leigh), Ben  Kavanagh (Bradford), Kane Linnett (North Queensland Cowboys), Frankie Mariano (Castleford), Nilly McConnachie (Ipswich Jets), Callum Phillips (Workington), Sheldon Powe-Hobbs (Northern Pride), Matty Russell (Warrington), Lewis Tierney (Wigan), Adam Walker (Hull KR)

Referees: Ben Thaler; Sideline Officials: Mark Craven, Jack Smith; Video Referees: Bernard Sutton