honestly united Posted November 5, 2018 Share Posted November 5, 2018 Really surprised by Strauss and Weir call ups, Weir more understandable as Lang got injured at the weekend for Harlequins, but Strauss it appears is due to Townsend realising that none of the forwards can grind out the hard yards. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Savage Henry Posted November 5, 2018 Share Posted November 5, 2018 40 minutes ago, honestly united said: Really surprised by Strauss and Weir call ups, Weir more understandable as Lang got injured at the weekend for Harlequins, but Strauss it appears is due to Townsend realising that none of the forwards can grind out the hard yards. I've always had to assume that it was a personality issue with Strauss and Townsend. I guess Townsend is prepared to let things slide in that regard. I don't think Strauss should ever have been dropped, but here we are. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
honestly united Posted November 5, 2018 Share Posted November 5, 2018 25 minutes ago, Savage Henry said: I've always had to assume that it was a personality issue with Strauss and Townsend. I guess Townsend is prepared to let things slide in that regard. I don't think Strauss should ever have been dropped, but here we are. I think they did fall out, dont know why. Probably goes back to their Glasgow days as I think Strauss was put out that he never got offered another contract at Glasgow. To be fair he had already said he wanted to play in England, so Toonie probably thought there was no point in offering him, but Strauss probably felt put out by not even getting offered one. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Detournement Posted November 5, 2018 Share Posted November 5, 2018 I'm sure I read that Strauss's performance data showed he wasn't really trying as hard in his final season at Glasgow. A Bradbury -Watson - Thompson back row looks like the most balanced option for Japan. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
honestly united Posted November 5, 2018 Share Posted November 5, 2018 Im hoping Thompson at least gets some time training with the squad this november, so he is not coming in Fresh for the 6N. How long is Barclay out for, as I would have him and Watson as the 2 nailed on starters, then depending on how we want to play / the opposition Barclay is either 6 or 8. I would also be looking at shifting Fagersson to 6, he is a great prospect just doesn't / wont have the size needed to be a great international no.8, but does have all the skills for wing forward. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Detournement Posted November 5, 2018 Share Posted November 5, 2018 2 hours ago, honestly united said: time training with the squad this november, so he is not coming in Fresh for the 6N. How long is Barclay out for, as I would have him and Watson as the 2 nailed on starters, then depending on how we want to play / the opposition Barclay is either 6 or 8. I would also be looking at shifting Fagersson to 6, he is a great prospect just doesn't / wont have the size needed to be a great international no.8, but does have all the skills for wing forward. I think you need to be bigger at 6 than 8 these days. I only saw the first 20 minutes of the game on Saturday but the clear problem was that we weren't able to shift the Welsh defenders at the breakdown who were (illegally) slowing down our ball. Bradbury is the biggest unit we have in the backrow and the most obvious option for the 6 shirt. Barclay will be 33 at the World Cup and i'm not sure he is the man for the Ireland game which will be brutal and played at close quarters. He got completely over powered by Leinster in the European semi final last year. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Detournement Posted November 7, 2018 Share Posted November 7, 2018 https://www.rugbypass.com/news/analysis-why-scotlands-defensive-system-made-huw-jones-look-worse-than-he-actually-is Some good analysis of the problems with Scotland's defence. It seems mad to have no one sweeping. I remember seeing one of the Italian tries this year coming a mile off cause Hogg was up in the line. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Detournement Posted November 8, 2018 Share Posted November 8, 2018 (edited) I just stuck 20 quid on Fiji at 13/2. I'm guessing that no one is going to play all four games but the locks and the backrow don't inspire confidence when Fiji are putting out genuine world class players in Nakawara, Mata and Yato. Edited November 8, 2018 by Detournement 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jaggy Snake Posted November 8, 2018 Share Posted November 8, 2018 Not sure how I feel about the team to be honest. Although I’d have liked to see George Horne start, last week showed we do miss Laidlaw’s level headed approach and no one else has yet shown themselves capable of being captain. I think 12 is Pete Horne’s best position, but he’ll have to improve on his recent performances – at least he won’t be kicking! I assume Watson is just being rested, as Jamie Ritchie did nothing last week to deserve another game. Fagerson deserves a start and it will be interesting to see how Sam Skinner does. Neither Toolis nor Jonny Gray played well last week so I guess it makes sense to give Gilchrist a start in this game. Berghan and Strauss gives us some strength on the bench. Hopefully Hogg is fully fit, and he along with Maitland and Seymour is easily our best back three. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Detournement Posted November 8, 2018 Share Posted November 8, 2018 I think the changes are because no one will play the four games and Townsend probably hopes the backs will be able to win this one and Gray and Watson will play the Tier One games. Thompson and Bradbury being injured has limited his options in the pack. I got Fiji at 13/2. That's mental considering they are putting out clearly the best lock, the best two back rowers and the best centre on show. The Fiji 10 Volavola plays with Russell at Racing so that should be an interesting duel. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jaggy Snake Posted November 8, 2018 Share Posted November 8, 2018 (edited) 1 hour ago, Detournement said: I got Fiji at 13/2. That's mental considering they are putting out clearly the best lock, the best two back rowers and the best centre on show. The Fiji 10 Volavola plays with Russell at Racing so that should be an interesting duel. You'll be right about the changes across the four matches. That is good odds, though I can’t quite bring myself to bet against Scotland. I’ll definitely be checking out the tryscorer odds though. I can’t say I’ve seen much of him since but I remember Volavola playing well when Fiji beat us last summer. He seemed to give them a pretty secure base, allowing their better players freedom to play, and he kicked everything - in very un-Fijian style. Edited November 8, 2018 by Jaggy Snake 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Detournement Posted November 8, 2018 Share Posted November 8, 2018 1 hour ago, Jaggy Snake said: That is good odds, though I can’t quite bring myself to bet against Scotland. I’ll definitely be checking out the tryscorer odds though. The 20 quid is from recent winnings. Either Scotland win or i'm 130 quid to the good. I'll be supporting Scotland anyway. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
come on shire Posted November 8, 2018 Share Posted November 8, 2018 (edited) Nakarawa and Bill Mata will be their dangermen in the pack and I'm a bit unsure about our forward pack there tbh. In the backs Ben Volavola needs to be watched. We have backs that can beat the best if they play well but my question is if our forward pack can compete with Fiji at the breakdown. The Scottish Rugby forum on FB is an interesting place as everyone thinks that a lot of our big players are being rested for the Springboks. I think we're taking Fiji too lightly tbh. In June last year we were beaten by Fiji (albeit away from home) and, even though 7's is their forte, they use that platform to show that they're the quickest team in the world. If we allow them gaps to turn on the gas we'll have major problems... Fun fact: Ben Volavola goes out with the Hollywood actress Shailene Woodley. They met when she was in Fiji filming Adrift. She's also been in The Descendants with George Clooney... Edited November 8, 2018 by come on shire 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
honestly united Posted November 8, 2018 Share Posted November 8, 2018 Toonie has defintaely got one eye on Argentina and SA with this selection. I think pretty much everyone (bar Weir and McGuigan??) that was unable to be part of the squad last week gets game time this week. Watson and Gray are rested with bigger games to come, and Hogg starts in his first game back after 2 months out injured to get some match fitness. For all the talk in respecting Fiji, they are a top side etc, it has a look of them thinking that Nel and Dell with push them about in the scrums so we will be alright up front! 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
afca32 Posted November 9, 2018 Share Posted November 9, 2018 As much as I am a big fan of this Scotland team, I will be giving most of my support tomorrow to the colossus that is Semi Radradra. What a player! 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Lambies Doos Posted November 9, 2018 Share Posted November 9, 2018 The 20 quid is from recent winnings. Either Scotland win or i'm 130 quid to the good. I'll be supporting Scotland anyway.Unfortunately You have wasted your money. Fiji will not win at Murrayfield. Nap 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Connolly Posted November 9, 2018 Share Posted November 9, 2018 I get the concern about a slightly weaker team having to face a strong Fiji team, but the fact is that in a year's time we will be having to manage the players like this for RWC games against Ireland, Japan, Samoa and Russia. Some of the "weaker" players on Saturday may well be involved in that game, and if we can get them performing at a level where it seems that rotation has little effect on the strength of the starting 15, all the better. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Detournement Posted November 9, 2018 Share Posted November 9, 2018 Samoa and Russia aren't on the level of Fiji. Having three rookies who haven't even played much club rubgy is a big risk. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Savage Henry Posted November 9, 2018 Share Posted November 9, 2018 So what’s the deal with this Sam Skinner bloke? Any good? I’ve never heard of him, but I assume he’ll sign for Edinburgh next off season. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GAD Posted November 9, 2018 Share Posted November 9, 2018 The team isn't that weak to be fair. Gilchrist and Skinner are both very much in contention for a first team spot alongside Gray, and I think Brown is well worth his shot starting at hooker, he's been good this season. The back row is a bit green, but you've got Wilson in there and Strauss on the bench, and the backs are strong. We are building to the world cup and need to give people games. This team should be able to do the business, especially at Murrayfield. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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