 Piper Ritchie Pollock greeted the flag with Flower of Scotland |
The steps of Sydney Opera House were turned blue and white as Scotland supporters rolled out the world's largest Saltire before the crucial quarter final qualifier against Fiji. More than 100 Scottish fans congregated to unveil the giant flag bearing the signatures and best wishes of tens of thousands of Scotland supporters.
The flag was made, divided into metre sections and sent out across the length and breath of Scotland.
The entire official Scotland Supporters Club attending the event turned out to present the record-breaking Saltire which measures 20mx25m and features around 22,0000 signatures.
Since arriving in Australia, the flag has been presenting something of a logistics challenge for Scottish supporters but The Famous Grouse, sponsors of the Scottish squad, organised special transport for the item.
Carol McLaren, of The Famous Grouse team in Australia, said: "The flag weighs in at 70 kilograms, takes eight people to lift it folded and is as big as nine double decker buses on their sides.
"We had to track down special transport to shift it out to the Opera House.
"The tourists visiting the famous landmark were delighted with it though but there were a few worrying moments - it was so windy we thought the flag might end up attached to Sydney Harbour Bridge."
Among those to pen their good luck wishes on the giant flag were Sean Connery and Ewan McGregor as well as Scotland's first minister Jack McConnell.
The flag was opened on the steps to the drones of Flower of Scotland played by Campbelltown supporter and piper Ritchie Pollock.
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