Sport

Cusiter's chance to make impact

Scotland v Pacific Islands: Chris Cusiter, the Borders scrum-half who has been recalled to the Scotland side to play the Pacific…

Martin Pengelly
Sat Nov 18 2006 - 00:00

Scotland v Pacific Islands: Chris Cusiter, the Borders scrum-half who has been recalled to the Scotland side to play the Pacific Islanders at Murrayfield this afternoon, wants to hold on to his place after a spell on the bench behind Edinburgh's Mike Blair.

"Hopefully, I can put a bit more pressure on Mike this year and maybe get a few more starts," said Cusiter. "Mike played well on Saturday (in a 48-6 win over Romania). He is a good player and I suppose it does push you on. But I was on the bench all last year and that is not where I want to be. It is tough for both of us."

Cusiter (24) toured New Zealand with the Lions in 2005, making a strong impression without winning a Test cap, and resisted interest from English clubs to remain in Scottish rugby this season, after a shoulder injury kept him out of the summer tour to South Africa.

"I have been pleased with my form for the Borders this year," he said, "but I hear Mike has been playing well for Edinburgh too. You would have to ask Frank (Hadden, Scotland's coach) who he thinks is doing better. The Pacific Islanders should be a good test for the team, and give us a chance to see where we are. And the loose type of rugby they play should mean I get a bit of space to show what I can do.

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"I thought Mike played exceptionally well last year, while I was perhaps a little bit off-form . . . maybe I did not take a long enough break after the Lions tour. I felt a bit jaded all year, so in some ways getting injured was a good thing, because it gave me the chance to get a rest.

Guardian Service

SCOTLAND: C Paterson (capt); S Webster, M Di Rollo, A Henderson, S Lamont; D Parks, C Cusiter, G Kerr, D Hall, E Murray, N Hines (Perpignan), S Murray, S Taylor, J Beattie; K Brown.Replacements: R Ford, A Jacobsen, A Kellock, D Callam, M Blair, P Godman, H Southwell.

PACIFIC ISLANDERS: Norman Ligairi; Lome Fa'atau, Kameli Ratuvou, Elvis Seveali'i, Rupeni Caucau; Tusi Pisi, Moses Rauluni; Taufa'ao Felise. Mahonri Schwalgern, Tevita Taumoepeau, Simon Raiwalui (capt), Daniel Leo, Viliami Vaki, Nili Latu, Epi Taione. Replacements: Aleki Lutui, Justin Va'a, Ma'ama Molitika, Semo Sititi, Junior Poluleuligaga, Seremaia Bai, Seru Rabeni.

Referee: Bryce Lawrence (New Zealand).