Scotland hooker Ross Ford fears Australia flanker Rocky Elsom will inflict yet another dose of misery at Murrayfield when the Wallaby captain takes the field here on Saturday.

Australia haven't lost to Scotland since 1982 - a run of 16 straight wins - and will be all the more determined to extend that record after dreams of a grand slam disappeared with last weekend's 20-20 draw against Six Nations champions Ireland in Dublin.

And home hooker Ford singled out dynamic breakaway and skipper Elsom as the man who can run riot in Edinburgh for the third time in quick succession.

Elsom began his love affair with the venue when he spearheaded Irish province Leinster's European Cup demolition job on Ford's Edinburgh Gunners a year ago.

The win helped provide Dublin-based Leinster with a platform for the European Cup final showdown with Leicester at Murrayfield - and again Elsom was the dominating presence as the provincial side powered to glory.

"Rocky is a class act, he's a world-class player, and he consistently produces the goods on the pitch and is a real talisman" said Ford.

Ford's view was backed up by Scotland coach Andy Robinson, himself an ex-England flanker, who said: "Elsom is a very, very special player who I admire a great deal. He will be a big danger."

But Ford insisted a win was not beyond Scotland, who started life under Robinson with last week's 23-10 win over Fiji, as long as every man in the squad performs to his full potential.

"It's been said a few times that we've trained well, but it is all about doing it on the day."

The British and Irish Lions hooker admitted to mixed memories of the Aussies, saying: "They are special opponents because I earned my first cap against them five years ago, but I only came off the bench for the last four minutes.

"Then two years later I was on the pitch for 23 minutes, so thankfully I am on from the start this time!

"Both were very physical games, even at the very end, and unfortunately we lost them.

"It will be physical again this time round, especially up front were I play.

"They have turned their scrum into a strength and it's looking very destructive."

Looking ahead to the Aussie threat, Robinson stated: "They have a guy (in coach Robbie Deans) who loves scrummaging.

"But their lineout has been under pressure on the tour so far. That is because England and Ireland are two of the best sides in the world at that.

"There is no doubt that this weekend we will be the ones under pressure to secure ball.

"In addition, they are very strong when it comes to turning over possession, and not just in the back-row.

"When a player gets isolated, they are extremely good at ripping it away from him. They are so good at that."

The return of veteran flanker George Smith is the only change to the Wallaby starting formation.

Smith replaced David Pocock, who missed out in spite of being named man-of-the-match in Dublin.

Robinson named an unchanged team to play the Wallabies and Deans warned his side not to under-estimate their hosts

"They're playing at home, have nothing to lose, and much to gain," the Kiwi coach said. "They'll bring a lot of enthusiasm and hunger to Saturday. They'll also be very physical, totally committed and well-organized."