Scotland coach Steve McCormack is not expecting the USA Tomahawks to drop their intensity for today’s crucial Rugby League World Cup match at Salford.
While the Americans can already look forward to a quarter-final with Australia, having topped Group D courtesy of Cook Islands’ second defeat on Tuesday night, the Scots need to win their final pool match and hope Group C rivals Italy lose to Tonga on Sunday if they are to secure a last-eight meeting with holders New Zealand.
McCormack, whose side are the only unbeaten home nation in the 14-team World Cup, is not expecting any favours from Terry Matterson’s men and is certainly not giving any thought to Sunday’s match.
“Last night’s result is totally irrelevant and so is Sunday’s,” McCormack said.
“All we can control is what we do. Terry Matterson won’t let any side of his clock off. No side will ever clock off in a World Cup.”
The Scots upset the odds with their opening win over the highly-fancied Tongans and battled superbly to take a point from their clash with Italy.
McCormack is forced to make his first changes of the tournament after losing hooker Ian Henderson (knee) and centre Kane Linnett (rib) to injury in the 30-30 draw with the Azzurri.
Matterson is able to stick with the side that beat Wales 24-16 in Wrexham.