WHEN I rang, Tim Horan knew it would be me calling him. Who else would be speak to the double World Cup winning former Australian Test centre at 6.30am in the morning. Thankfully, Tim was already up and on the move, part way through a two hour drive north of Brisbane.

"What are you doing up at this time?"

"I'm going fishing," he replied, laughing; "You were my insurance if the alarm didn't go off." I knew I'd come in handy for something.

But Scots delivering wake-up calls to Aussies is nothing new to Horan, citing one particular afternoon during the summer when the Scots found Australian rugby napping.

In only his second game in charge, Scotland coach Gregor Townsend masterminded a win against the gold and green for the first time in four years, which for Horan, was a jolt for the hosts.

"That Sydney Test was a rude shock to the system for us; about out fitness, about our skill level, about our attitude as well,” claims Horan.

"The Scots, by the way Gregor set out his team, probably moved Australia and coach Michael Cheika forward in terms of how they now approach international rugby. So, if it backfires next weekend at Murrayfield, you only have yourself to blame. You shouldn't have performed that well in Sydney,” he laughed, also raising a chuckle at the sudden rivalry between the two nations.

“I thought you might have let that World Cup loss rest,” he added, tongue firmly in cheek.

"It was all set up this year for a bit of revenge and getting your own back, after how disappointed the Scots must have been not to win that World Cup game, and having run Australia close at Murrayfield last Autumn.

“You kind of knew they’d be fired up, and that they'd come down to Sydney and really try and smother the Wallabies.

"In that June Test match, and the way Scotland approached it, I think it has helped the Wallabies move on to another level. We probably have the Scots to thank for how well we are going at the moment.”

Scotland free-running attack bounced in for three tries -  from Duncan Taylor, Finn Russell and Hamish Watson – at the Allianz Stadium, impressing the Fox Sports commentator.

"Scotland had lost their best players to the Lions, but weren’t fazed,” Horan observed.

“They played some nice rugger. That has been a gradual process over a few years, starting with Vern Cotter. However, I think the job Gregor Townsend and his coaching team are doing has really moved the Scots on.

"I think you can see the influence of Matty Taylor, defensively, who is a very good coach for the Scots. At some point he will return to coach a Super Rugby team here. But he is doing a great job for Scotland.

“But they’ve jumped three or four levels in a short time, but then they've probably had to because that is the way the game is going. Still, Scotland are playing a really exciting style and brand of rugby, up tempo, quick movement and passing, the support play is flat out, and it really made the people down here take notice when they put one over on us during the summer tour.

"But you need that now. Everyone is looking at the All Blacks and working out how they can be like them.  Just to get close takes time, so we are all catching them up. However, you can't just turn up and play like that. It's down to the bodies and the players you have. But the coaches have to give a different message as well.

 "Gregor and his team are being listened to by the players, who are executing their instructions and the bulk of this team will be together for a few years to come. Scotland are in a good place.”

Talking about Scotland and Scottish rugby, you sense there is a warmth and affection for the Scots from Horan, who won two World Cups, in ’91 and ’99, a total of 80 caps and skippered the Wallabies for a spell.

However, he admits that friendliness lulled the unsuspecting in to a bit of a false sense of security – with the pleasantries could be quickly replaced by a real welcoming committee.

"It wasn't just playing. We did some great touring in Scotland and the hospitality was just class, wonderful. And the Scots are really passionate about the game, and knowledgeable.

“But I hate to say it, but I don't think I ever lost against Scotland. I played a few times, in Brisbane and Sydney, but the ones you always remember as a player were the ones in Edinburgh, at Murrayfield.

“When that place was full, like in a Test match against Scotland, or when I played for the Barbarians there - with Jonah Lomu, Joost van der Westhuizen, Ben Clarke, Pat Lam in the side – it’s just a fantastic place. That was very special.”

And the ex-Saracens centre reflected; “John Eales (Australia's 1999 World Cup winning captain) mentioned before that you'd be lined up for the anthems at Murrayfield, and the Scots would start singing 'Flower of Scotland.'

“What a great song. And after a few seconds you'd find yourself caught up in the moment, singing along. You’d have to give yourself a shake and remember where you were and why you were there.

“Not that you’d be left in any doubt for too long. Because three or four seconds after the start, that Scotland team would be just trying to smash you – what I mean by passionate.”