To some diehard Braveheart fans, the draw with New Zealand was a victory of sorts, albeit a hollow one, since a draw satisfies no one, really, but the rugby team from the highlands of the home of the Loch Ness monster took the result in Four Nations play as a positive sign nonetheless.
It was Scottish passions of the type Mel Gibson personified in the final scene of “Braveheart” that inspired the point earning performance, more so than a skill level on par with the Kiwis.
Forgotten in that observation, however, is the fact that with the exception of one player, the entire Braveheart’s side is composed of Brits and Aussies.
Of course, just as anyone with a hint of Irish blood can lay claim to a wearin’ o’ the green, the Scots are remarkably flexible when it comes to claims regrading who is eligible to don the plaid.
Aussie born Euan Aitkens, centre for the NRL’s St. George Illawarra Dragons, commenting on his try that gave Braveheart captain Danny Brough the kick that gained the draw, invoked the his grandfather as his right to claim to be one of the bonny.
The Scots hope the result in Four Nations is a harbinger of things to come, a building block of sorts, for the Scotland Rugby League and future World Cup play.
