RugbyRebels

hugh_woatmeigh wrote:So whats new? Forcing passes as usual cause that's written on the script rather than reacting to whats happening in front of them. Lots of possession and enough territory without any points to show for it.

Yep. We have some very talented runners/passers yet when it's so clear when they are focusing on replicating a training move rather than just using some pre-set running lines to open up space and give them options.

Aaaand there we go. Hastings looks up!

Good start for the neutral. Russia seem constantly 5 seconds from disaster though.

It wouldn't be Scotland to score a try and then find themselves under the cosh in their own 22 mere seconds later would it...?

Wee George botched that one. Ran until Darcy had no space left.

Hastings is quite f*cking nippy isn't he?

Is this a 4G pitch? Looking back at all the black stuff getting kicked up, yes it is. Just looked super weird the way Artemyev slipped then.

Going to end up with MoM at this rate...

Haha - class!

Duncan Taylor is looking like a huge error in judgement from Townsend. He just doesn't look sharp in any facet of play.

Tonight Matthew... I'm going to be Gareth Davies...

When would Laidlaw or Price for that matter have EVER tried that?

hugh_woatmeigh wrote:Duncan Taylor is looking like a huge error in judgement from Townsend. He just doesn't look sharp in any facet of play.

Yeah, he's been out for a long, long time (not that that's an excuse for GT as he still picked him) but thought old "super Dunc" might have made a telling play at some point so far.

Superb tactical kicking to the corners today btw. A couple have been a few inches off being perfect but generally it's very good. Another thing that Horne brings to the party.

How much time should we give Horne? Does he need the minutes or should we make sure he's not picking up an injury? Really don't want to need Pyrgos v Japan.

Mikey Brown wrote:

hugh_woatmeigh wrote:Duncan Taylor is looking like a huge error in judgement from Townsend. He just doesn't look sharp in any facet of play.

Yeah, he's been out for a long, long time (not that that's an excuse for GT as he still picked him) but thought old "super Dunc" might have made a telling play at some point so far.

Did you hear what Monye just said? Taylor "the best player I've ever played with" according to Saracens's Jamie George.

Russia's biggest enemy this half? That back left corner...

No I didn't hear Monye, I've not got sound as in the office but it wouldn't surprise me. I think he's a very, very good player who will come good again if he gets a run of games despite what that moron Stom claims. He just hasn't been given the opportunity to do that. We'd have done the same to Dunbar last RWC (and tried to) but we have a plethora of options in the centre now. It wasn't necessary.

I'd take wee Horne off as soon as the BP win is secured probably as well as Graham.

We also need to seriously be thinking about P Horne & Cummings against Japan so they should be coming off around 55 mins max. Also need to haul off Reid for Berghan to balance play time.

I'd love to rest Cummings but it essentially means Ritchie (our only 7) being risked and somebody moving to lock.

I suppose Brown has secured himself as a world class 7 in that opening half an hour though.

I do think that Taylor is a player that got better whilst not playing. It's frustrating that we have loads of potential options for that 13 shirt and none are at 100% and have claimed it.

Does the Russian fly half remind anyone else of Andy Goode?

Kinghorn has been distinctly average in every game I've seen him in the last couple of months.

hugh_woatmeigh wrote:Kinghorn has been distinctly average in every game I've seen him in the last couple of months.

Either 1 or both of us have a very distinct bias when it comes to Kinghorn.

Mikey Brown wrote:

hugh_woatmeigh wrote:Kinghorn has been distinctly average in every game I've seen him in the last couple of months.

Either 1 or both of us have a very distinct bias when it comes to Kinghorn.

He's used very differently than for Edinburgh. He's really good overloading in the outside channels but Scotland never seem to get to that point, it's all offloads. To be fair, he's hardly had an opportunity in this game.

Frustrating end to the half there but a reasonable place to be in. Hope they kick on from here.

Mikey Brown wrote:

hugh_woatmeigh wrote:Kinghorn has been distinctly average in every game I've seen him in the last couple of months.

Either 1 or both of us have a very distinct bias when it comes to Kinghorn.

Probably you. I didn't say he was bad. Just average. Doesn't make the 23 for me.

Good first half, but we're not brilliant at going through the phases and scoring in the oppo 22.

hugh_woatmeigh wrote:Kinghorn has been distinctly average in every game I've seen him in the last couple of months.

I think it is partly a game plan issue and partly second international season blues.

The Scottish game plan when involving 15 relies on the full back being Stuart Hogg doing Stuart Hogg things.

hugh_woatmeigh wrote:No I didn't hear Monye, I've not got sound as in the office but it wouldn't surprise me. I think he's a very, very good player who will come good again if he gets a run of games despite what that moron Stom claims. He just hasn't been given the opportunity to do that. We'd have done the same to Dunbar last RWC (and tried to) but we have a plethora of options in the centre now. It wasn't necessary.

I'd take wee Horne off as soon as the BP win is secured probably as well as Graham.

We also need to seriously be thinking about P Horne & Cummings against Japan so they should be coming off around 55 mins max. Also need to haul off Reid for Berghan to balance play time.

I'd move Horne to wing and take Darcy off. Harris can't be risked if Taylor is still off the pace.