Their
autumn internationals Scotland will play Samoa at Pittodrie after Andy Robinson, their head coach, pushed to make sure his team maximises home advantage.
In November the Scots face a punishing schedule, by facing the high flying All Blacks opening their three match series, the world’s top ranked side, before facing the World Cup holders South Africa, then Samoa.
Robinson has spoken in the past of the difference home support can make and his first set back as Scotland coach came last
autumn when, with Murrayfield less than one third full as only 20,000 spectators turned up, his team was beaten 9-6 by Argentina.
While SRU officials have indicated in the past that they prefer to stage home Test matches at Murrayfield, Robinson has argued for a more flexible approach and, when it was put to him that better atmosphere could make the difference in a tight match such as that against Argentina, he agreed.
"It will make a change," he said. "The big thing for us was that we’re going to go and have the game here. I wanted to push it with Gordon McKie (the SRU chief executive) that we had the game here.
"To spread the game it is about trying as much as possible. That’s important. But it is also that you want to have real atmosphere. The point you’re making there (about the difference that can make), I thought that was an important factor for us.
"When you’ve got three internationals it’s very hard to sell all three at Murrayfield. We’re unable to bring a New Zealand match here (Pittodrie) because of the size of the crowd."
Robinson also reckoned the move could stand Scotland in good stead ahead of the huge challenges to come in 2011.
"I’m quite looking forward to it as a change," he said. "You look at each
international, about them being unique and getting the excitement level. Think about the Six Nations, we don’t play at the same stadium every time, so you’ve got to get used to that.
"When we play in the World Cup we’ve got to get used to playing in different places, so it’s good that we’re able to do this for this one game.
"I’m not saying there should be a policy for every game. We’ve got to treat each game on its merits and see where’s the right place to play it. I couldn’t just stand there and say we’re going to play every game at Murrayfield."
However, Robinson made it clear that unlike when Canada played at Pittodrie two years ago and lost 41-0, he expects this to be an exceptionally competitive match for which his team will need maximum backing.
"Look at Samoa in previous World Cups, they’re a side that develops and improves the year before that World Cup. You look at the way they’ve been performing in the sevens, they’ve got some very skilful players. Look at last year, they ran Wales very close, so this will be a very, very tough gamefor us. We’re going to need everything to win that game."
Meanwhile, for the man Robinson has preferred as his captain throughout his time in charge of Scotland the Pittodrie game presents the prospect of finally fulfilling a long held ambition.
Chris Cusiter grew up as an Aberdeen supporter, watching his home city club regularly and has described Willie Milleras his first sporting hero.
He once acted as a ball boy for the club in a match against Airdrie, but has twice missed out when Scotland internationals have been held there. In 2005, when a first Scotland win over the Barbarians was achieved in Frank Hadden’s first match as Scotland coach, he was unavailable because he was touring with the British & Irish Lions that summer.
Then, when Canada visited, he was ruled out due to one of the many injuries that have punctuated his career.
After frolicking in the sun yesterday, enjoying a game of head keepy up with Mark McGhee, the host club’s manager, before missing an open goal in another stunt for the benefit of the watching photographers, in November he knows it may be rather different conditions.
Indeed it looked more like a home game for Canada in 2008 as staff and volunteers battled to clear the pitch of snow, but Cusiter wants to be involved regardless of any of that.
"I’m actually excited about it. I don’t want to jinx myself because I haven’t played here, but hopefully I’ll be involved and have the opportunity to grace the hallowed turf," he said.
"Growing up here it was a huge thing being an Aberdeen boy going to look the Dons. I would love the chance to play out there."
