Nathan Hines may be taking orders from Chris Cusiter and Alasdair Strokosch on the field on Saturday but the Scotland lock insists he is their "guv'nor" off the pitch.

Hines is the oldest and most experienced member of Andy Robinson's starting XV but has been left without a specific on-field role in the new head coach's radical new leadership model.

But even co-captains Cusiter and Mike Blair and pack leader Strokosch yield to the 32-year-old when it comes to maintaining order in the build-up to the autumn internationals.

"I am the guv'nor... don't tell Mike Blair that I told you that!" Hines told Press Association Sport ahead of tomorrow's opening match against Fiji.

"I just make sure that guys clean up after themselves and are weighing in when they're supposed to be."

Hines also revealed he was responsible for looking after new caps under and organising the singing on the team bus.

"I'm sort of the players' manager without being a manager," he added, insisting he has no problem being bossed around by flanker Strokosch.

That is despite being almost seven years his team-mate's senior as well as boasting 58 caps to the latter's 11.

"Stroker's good because he doesn't say things that don't need to be said," Hines explained.

"You listen when he says something and he's one of the most committed guys in the squad."

Tomorrow sees Hines play his first Test since the British and Irish Lions tour, where he was one of only two Scots to be named in the original party.

"I was really delighted to get picked to go on tour, especially seeing that I've not got a home nations accent," said Australian-born Hines.

"I was just delighted and humble that I got to go on tour and enjoy one of the greatest experiences of my rugby career."

Hines has also joined a new club in Leinster since he last pulled on a Scotland jersey during what was an injury-hit RBS 6 Nations.

"I'm really enjoying my time there," he said.

"It's also good that I'm in the same league and same schedule as guys from Edinburgh and Glasgow."

Having made his debut nine years ago, Hines has seen plenty of autumn internationals come and go.

Scotland have flattered to deceive in previous seasons but Hines is confident they can finally deliver under Robinson.

He added: "We haven't had a game so all I can go by is the way we've been training and I think the way the guys have carried themselves in the last couple of weeks has impressed me."

Hines is one of only two survivors from Scotland's last meeting with Fiji at the 2003 World Cup.

But the most familiar face in the tourists' party will be technical director Mike Brewer, who was Scotland's forwards coach until a few months ago.

Hines insists he does not fear Brewer's inside knowledge, saying: "He's not on the pitch; it'll be up to his players to implement what he's been saying."

Hines was today sporting a moustache he is growing for the Craig Hodgkinson Trust, a charity set up in the memory of the former Glasgow Hawks player who died suddenly from an undiagnosed heart condition whilst playing rugby for the Royal Navy.

Hines said of his team-mates' response: "They seem to think that because I'm the oldest guy, it suits."


Scotland: Rory Lamont (Toulon); Sean Lamont (Scarlets), Alex Grove (Worcester), Graeme Morrison (Glasgow), Simon Danielli (Ulster); Phil Godman (Edinburgh), Chris Cusiter (Glasgow, capt), Allan Jacobsen (Edinburgh), Ross Ford (Edinburgh), Moray Low (Glasgow), Nathan Hines (Leinster), Alastair Kellock (Glasgow), Alasdair Strokosch (Gloucester), Johnnie Beattie (Glasgow), John Barclay (Glasgow Warriors).

Replacements: Dougie Hall (Glasgow), Kyle Traynor (Edinburgh), Jason White (Clermont Auvergne), Richie Vernon (Glasgow), Mike Blair (Edinburgh), Chris Paterso

Fiji: J Matavesi (Exeter); V Goneva (Vatura), G Lovobalavu (Toulon), S Bai (Clermont Auvergne, capt), N Nalaga (Clermont Auvergne); N Little (Bath), M Rauluni (Saracens); A Yalayalatabua (Navy), V Veikoso (Mavoci), D Manu (Scarlets), W Lewaravu (London Welsh), I Rawaqa (World Fighting Bulls), J Domolailai (Lomavata), A Qera (Gloucester), A Boko (Tau).

Replacements: G Dewes (Esher

This article was posted on 14-Nov-2009, 07:37 by Hugh Barrow.