Stewart to make debut for Scotland

Rugby Union

Scotland have been forced to make one late change for tomorrow's second Test against New Zealand, with the Edinburgh Academicals youngster Barry Stewart winning his first cap in place of the experienced prop Peter Wright.

"Peter has a back problem from which he has suffered before. Normally it clears up, but this time he has been unable to recover," Jim Telfer, the team manager, said.

The selection of Stewart will add an extra dimension to Scotland's game at Auckland's Eden Park . The 21-year-old has been very impressive on tour, most notably against Waikato, and was pushing for a Test place. While Stewart will make his debut, the 31-year-old Scott Hastings will win his 62nd cap to set a new Scotland record.

New Zealand have a doubt about Jonah Lomu who strained knee ligaments in the 62-31 victory over the Scots in Dunedin.

"Jonah is making good progress. His injury is not serious but I will not take a risk with a player like him. No decision will be made until Saturday morning," the New Zealand coach, John Hart, said.

"I expect a 20 to 30 per cent improvement from Scotland," he added. "The Test last Saturday was the first game that the Scots have played at pace under the new laws with perhaps the exception of the game against Waikato."

Andrew Gibbs, the Welsh policeman, will be hoping to restore Wales' battered pride when he lines up against Australia in the second Test at Sydney Football Stadium tomorrow.

Gibbs wins his third cap with the tourists desperate to produce the kind of performance which will allow them to fly home next week with their heads held high. Wales lost the first Test in Brisbane 56-25.

Gibbs, who has forced his way into the Test team after four impressive tour matches, is in defiant mood. "We will take it to them this time," pledged the 24-year-old back-row player. "I was delighted to be selected for the Test and we are all desperate to finish on a high.

"This tour has done me the world of good. It has really opened my eyes after I was out of the squad all of last season."

Even though the back injury to Emyr Lewis may have helped Gibbs, he has taken his chances superbly. "I am a lot more confident in my own play, and this is my chance to make up for the disappointments of last season," he said.

NEW ZEALAND (probable): C Cullen; J Wilson, F Bunce, W Little, J Lomu; A Mehrtens, J Marshall; C Dowd, S Fitzpatrick, O Brown, I Jones, R Brooke, M Jones, Z Brooke, J Kronfeld. Replacements: E Rush, S McLeod, J Preston, B Larsen, M Allen, N Hewitt.