Tombola Totalled
Scotland beaten by world champs, Woman's side defeat Japan, Netflix come a calling
WELCOME: this feels like the first newsletter in a while with a more sombre tone, following Saturday’s dispiriting loss against the Springboks. In typical Scottish fashion, hope was allowed to build that we would come good against the current world champs, and with a lead at half time this hope looked more and more like a reality. As ever, however, Scottish rugby dreams were dashed on the rocks of unforced errors, lineout woes and ill discipline. Still, it’s not as if South Africa and an increasingly in-form Ireland are in our World Cup group. Oh, hold on a second…
This week we look back on the South Africa loss, casting our eye over the Tombola experiment and whether there are many (if any) positives to take from the match, before celebrating a welcome victory for Scotland Women on Sunday.
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MATCH REPORT: Scotland succumbed to a disappointing 30-15 defeat at the hands of world champions South Africa on Saturday afternoon. While the Springboks only pulled away in the last 15 minutes or so, they were largely in control across the piece, with Scotland making far too many errors on the day and the Toonie tombola failing to make its desired impact.
There was a palpable sense of disappointment amongst Scottish fans trudging back from Murrayfield, much of which was justified. Townsend’s men were never able to hold onto possession for any meaningful stretch, fell foul of referee Angus Gardner at the breakdown, and were unable to deal with their opponents’ kicking game. While several mistakes were the result of South Africa pressure, Scotland also did a good job of shooting themselves in the foot on several occasions.
The first 15 minutes of the match were ominous, with South Africa dominating possession and territory, forcing a string of penalties that led to the home side suddenly defending their own try line. However, Scotland soaked up the pressure well and turned over the ball, before Russell launched Duhan on a stonking 50 meter run, forcing South Africa to concede the penalty in their own half. Up stepped Finn to give Scotland a 3-0 lead, an incredible outcome given the first quarter.
However, as Scotland struggled to keep hold of the ball, their laxness in possession was punished, as Mapimipi was set away for a well taken score. When South Africa want to get their wings into the game, they are bloody good at it. With Jantjes missing the conversion, this took the score to 3-8 in South Africa’s favour.
Stuart Hogg then crossed to put Scotland back into the lead, with a bizarre score that combined fortune and brilliance. Duhan regathered a fairly ropey looking Russell cross field, feeding Hogg before taking a return pass from the supporting Sam Skinner, offloaded to Chris Harris who in turn was able to get the ball back in field. His pass bounced back off a South African defender before landing in the lap of Stuart Hogg, who crossed under the sticks. Cue pandemonium at Sold Out BT Murrayfield™, as Scotland took the lead 10-8.
This was to remain the score at half time, with two penalty chances missed by Russell, that he really should be nailing, but most Scottish fans made their way to the Tennents tent in reasonably high spirits.
However, the second half made for painful viewing, as South Africa gradually put the contest to bed. Mapimpi scored his second of the day after some fairly generous home defence, before two penalties took the score to 8-21.
There was a brief glimmer of hope after Hogg scored his second of the day (which also took him to equal highest test try scorer for Scotland, alongside Ian Smith and Tony Stanger), getting on the end of some lovely back play. Scotland then found themselves with a five metre line out, and a chance to take the lead once more. However, in typical Scottish fashion the throw missed its jumper and South Africa were able to clear their lines. The Bok bomb squad then started to make their presence felt, winning a series of breakdown penalties that allowed Pollard to stretch his side’s lead. In contrast, the Scottish replacements looked slightly underpowered.
Overall South Africa were deserved winners. Their style ain’t pretty but it is seriously effective, particularly against error prone opponents. While some Scottish mistakes were forced, it felt like most were self inflicted, which combined with the side’s inability to string together any serious phases in attack, will have frustrated Townsend massively. There was lots of talk in the build up about not playing South Africa at their own game, yet there was little evidence of what the alternative was supposed to be. Japan next week becomes an absolute must win if this autumn campaign is to be judged a success.
ANY POSITIVES OUT THERE? Scotland’s physicality was impressive, particularly the way they managed to weather the storm in the opening period, with no shirkers in defence. Jamie Ritchie was perhaps the pick of the performers in the pack (despite struggling slightly with the refereeing interpretation of the breakdown), and Sam Skinner showed up well in the loose, albeit the lineout struggled. In the backs Price boxed kicked well, Duhan always looked dangerous with the ball in hand and Chris Harris was reassuringly dependable. Despite the loss, Sold Out BT Murrayfield™ was looking and sounding in tip top form, and it truly was great to see the stands once again packed out. Nature is healing.
TOMBOLA TOTALLED? Much was made in the week of Gregor Townsend’s surprise selections of Nick Haining, Matt Scott and Rufus Maclean, and arguably none quite worked out the way the head coach would have wanted.
While Haining didn’t have a bad game per se, he was largely ineffective, and was unable to make his mark on the match. Watson looked a lot livelier when he eventually entered the fray, making his demotion to the bench even more puzzling. We hear there were some heated conversations between him and Toonie in the week following the squad announcement.
Unfortunately Matt Scott was unable to get himself into the match properly, and was caught out badly for the second Mapimpi try. However, the backline as a whole looked out of sorts, and him and Finn did link well for Hogg’s second score. Russell and Johnson have played a lot more rugby together, and this looks like the 10-12 partnership - unless Cam Redpath can prove his fitness consistently - that will take us to the World Cup.
Rufus Mclean did well off scraps of possession, showing surprising strength to shrug off several South African defenders on a couple of nice runs. Although he could perhaps have done better for South Africa’s first try, Scotland were defending numbers down and he was put in a difficult position.
MaDAMes et Mademoiselles: Sunday’s action brought some much needed good news for Scottish rugby fans, with the women’s side defeating Japan 36-12 at the DAM Health Stadium. It was the third consecutive victory for Bryan Easson’s side, who are building nicely ahead of their World Cup qualifying tournament at the start of next year. Scotland crossed the whitewash six times, taking advantage of a Japanese sending off early on in the match. Once again Rhona Lloyd showed off her wheels, helping herself to a brace - how about a footrace between her and Louis Rees Zammit?
NETFLIX x DODSON: rumours reached Thistle HQ over the weekend that Netflix are in advanced talks with the Six Nations to create a ‘Drive to Survive’ style documentary covering next year’s tournament. Depending on the level of access the producers are granted, this could be absolutely mega, and a brilliant way to promote the game to a wider and younger audience. Dying to see behind the scenes coverage of Mark Dodson at work…
SCOTS ABROAD
English Premiership
Gloucester v Bath: Andrew Davidson (4) and Charlie Chapman (9) v D’arcy Rae (18); Davidson capping off a fine performance with a well taken try.
Saracens v Harlequins: Callum Hunter-Hill (5), Andy Christie (8) and Duncan Taylor (12) v Huw Jones (13)
Newcastle v Wasps: Gary Graham (8) v Gordon Reid (1) and James Tyas (6)
Leicester v Sale: v Gus Warr (9)
Northampton v London Irish: Rory Hutchinson (12) and Nick Auterac (17) v Alan Dell (1) and Kyle Rowe (14)
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