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kiwififer

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9 hours ago, dogmc said:


We had a near full strength squad v Japan (essentially their b team) problem wasn't conditions it was a turgid style of play. The reason players didnt transfer their form was cotter not the players. Results dont lie....cotter had influence on side prior to taking over and we failed to get results before n during his tenure. Under toony we have already taken a bigger scalp than cotter did in his entire reign. Its not a coincidence. Even Robinson n hadden with worse players got better results than cotter v elite sides. Hogg flying over to join Scotland group from lions tells you all you need to know about the bond within the squad already

Again I agree with a lot of what you say and Toony could easily become a more successful Scotland coach than Cotter. However, Cotter should take credit for developing a more positive approach which allowed us to win more tight games.  For example, I think previous regimes would have lost those games over in Japan.  He also developed the confidence amongst a good group of players to believe they can win 6N games against teams other than Italy with a bit of panache to boot.  He had his faults but he delivered some good developments imo.

In other news, there are reports circulating that Russell will sign a 3 year deal with Montpellier from the 2018/19 season.  Hmm... 

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Again I agree with a lot of what you say and Toony could easily become a more successful Scotland coach than Cotter. However, Cotter should take credit for developing a more positive approach which allowed us to win more tight games.  For example, I think previous regimes would have lost those games over in Japan.  He also developed the confidence amongst a good group of players to believe they can win 6N games against teams other than Italy with a bit of panache to boot.  He had his faults but he delivered some good developments imo.
In other news, there are reports circulating that Russell will sign a 3 year deal with Montpellier from the 2018/19 season.  Hmm... 

Don't mind Russell broadening his horizons tbh. Playing abroad will do him good and it will hopefully see hastings ready to inherit his Glasgow jersey. Not gonna have an elongated argument about cotter I just don't think he got the best out of a group of players that were improving rapidly at club level. Fagerson interview during the st Andrews training camp hinted that players weren't overly fond of cotter screaming at them and they preferred toonys more constructive approach. Whatever the truth of that the end result is we have a strong Scotland squad on an upward trajectory. After all the years in the wilderness it feels fantastic.
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U20 have done amazing job but I have a question that leads to a concern. Where are these players based and are they getting the opportunity at club level to keep playing and improving. We don't want these players struggling to get game time because they are the future. Is there enough room for them?

Finn Russell moving on is probably a good thing for him and for Scotland. I think he will pick up more and mature as no 10 playing in a tougher league than pro 12. Gives someone else a chance to step up as well. 2018 onwards though according to the BBC

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Cotter was the right person at the time for the role - we were an absolute shambles.

Lets not forget before Cotter we were lucky if we got one try in the entire 6N's, when he left you would back Scotland to score 2 or 3 tries against any team in the world. We had a bit of shape, a game plan and were picking up wins. I think he gave Scottish Rugby the kicking it needed and has set it on the right path.

And much the same as at Glasgow, where I think Lineen did a lot of the hardwork to turn Glasgow round, Townsend coming in will take it to the next level. Lets not get to carried away as we have only beaten a very poor Italian side and a slightly experimental Australia side but there is plenty of reason to get optimistic.

On the U20's I know we did have a tie up with London Scottish where we were loaning players to them to get game time, so I would think those not getting game time at a decent level that is the first stop. I think George Horne was down there, as was Hunter-Hill, not sure who else. But a 3rd Pro team has to be looked at soon as we dont want to be either losing players or stunting their development with lack of game time

 

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23 hours ago, dogmc said:


Watched that Oz game back and one thing which has noticeably improved is our defence against rolling mauls. We were very prone to concede off that in the past and Oz were clearly expecting to profit from that because they passed up a lot of 3 pointers to go to corner. Perhaps poor form of the kicker also influenced that but with hindsight they should have just kept the scoreboard ticking over. That shot of hoggy n the bench celebrating is great to see. Toony has obviously got the squad really well bonded. Really excited about the autumn n 6n and run to next rwc.

The Warriors improved immensely at defending rolling mauls last season, too - Dan McFarland is the common factor.

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I don't think Finn leaving would be that big a loss with Hastings coming through but I do think Glasgow play the style best suited to him in the Northern Hemisphere. He's never really impressed me that much playing for Scotland under Cotter yet has been brilliant in the two games under Townsend. Also Montpellier do have Aaron Cruden coming in.

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The problem with Finn going to Montpellier from a Scottish point of view is that he will get flogged over there. No rest weeks when the 6n is on, no extended summers and no early release to join the international squad. They will get their money's worth, the way Glasgow do with the foreign players.

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The problem with Finn going to Montpellier from a Scottish point of view is that he will get flogged over there. No rest weeks when the 6n is on, no extended summers and no early release to join the international squad. They will get their money's worth, the way Glasgow do with the foreign players.

Hopefully hes negotiating a sensible contract and with vern cotter as coach, who claimed to be so emotionally attached to Scottish rugby, perhaps compromises can be found
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Dreadful, dreadful news that Doddie Weir has been diagnosed with MND.
ETA: link
BBC Link

That's horrendous. Had earlier been reading the BBC article on the 97 living with the lions doc and how sad it had been watching him get the news that his tour was over. Seems terribly insignificant now by comparison to this awful news.
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That's horrendous. Had earlier been reading the BBC article on the 97 living with the lions doc and how sad it had been watching him get the news that his tour was over. Seems terribly insignificant now by comparison to this awful news.

 

Gutted for Doddie and his family, he always comes across very well any time he has been on TV and radio.

 

The "challenge" that put him out of the 97 tour is still the worst i think I've ever seen on a rugby field.

 

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 Gutted for Doddie and his family, he always comes across very well any time he has been on TV and radio.

 

The "challenge" that put him out of the 97 tour is still the worst i think I've ever seen on a rugby field.

 

 

Certainly one of the most cowardly and it was entirely deliberate....not even cited if I recall but a lions guy (gibbs maybe) was suspended for something pretty innocuous eta I remember one from years back when Gordon Brown was prone on the deck and the opponent (I want to say nz bit not sure) stamped on his face and burst it open. Fair play to brown he was up and swinging punches immediately. Can't mind if he was playing for Scotland or the barbarians....eta it was playing for Glasgow v north n mid and his suspension did for his international career.

 

 

 

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Had a quick look on the sky planner this morning for the fiji game but cant seem to find it . . . does anyone know what channel its on?
 

It is on the SRU website/YouTube channel
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