NPR

Not a shock but an uninspiring midfield, not sure how Brown starts ahead of Ashman. At least Russell is back.

Fraser Brown? You're joking!

Meanwhile the backs tell me it's going to be first 50 or so tight, last 20-30 chuck it around with Finn moving to 12 if injuries allow. Fair enough.

charltom wrote: ↑Fri Nov 11, 2022 2:40 pm Fraser Brown? You're joking!

Meanwhile the backs tell me it's going to be first 50 or so tight, last 20-30 chuck it around with Finn moving to 12 if injuries allow. Fair enough.

Was it Ali who said you have a plan until you get punched in the face?

Most creative fly half in the northern hemisphere with a frightening, fast and skillful back three, so let's have two centres with dicks for hands. Super.

Also, Fraser Brown, what the actual fuck. Toonie undermining a young talented player again. Fucking arsehole

Biffer wrote: ↑Fri Nov 11, 2022 3:09 pm Most creative fly half in the northern hemisphere with a frightening, fast and skillful back three, so let's have two centres with dicks for hands. Super.

Also, Fraser Brown, what the actual fuck. Toonie undermining a young talented player again. Fucking arsehole

I guess Fraser Brown is in there to keep the penalty count high.

Scotland by 4 - you heard it here first

Slick wrote: ↑Fri Nov 11, 2022 3:00 pm

charltom wrote: ↑Fri Nov 11, 2022 2:40 pm Fraser Brown? You're joking!

Meanwhile the backs tell me it's going to be first 50 or so tight, last 20-30 chuck it around with Finn moving to 12 if injuries allow. Fair enough.

Was it Ali who said you have a plan until you get punched in the face?

Mike Tyson, I think.

I can see the reasoning in the team, BK covers everything but centre, with Bennett doing that.

The thing for me is that Hogg is out of sorts, he is trying to beat everyone in front of him when a pass would better serve the team. Fraz Brown is behind Ashman in everything bar experience. As much man-love I have for WP Nel, Walker did more than enough last week to retain his position on the pine. If Zander's stride is broken early doors Nel could be facing 70 minutes of the quickest test match around, which would expose him badly.

Tichtheid wrote: ↑Fri Nov 11, 2022 3:48 pm

Slick wrote: ↑Fri Nov 11, 2022 3:00 pm

charltom wrote: ↑Fri Nov 11, 2022 2:40 pm Fraser Brown? You're joking!

Meanwhile the backs tell me it's going to be first 50 or so tight, last 20-30 chuck it around with Finn moving to 12 if injuries allow. Fair enough.

Was it Ali who said you have a plan until you get punched in the face?

Mike Tyson, I think.

I can see the reasoning in the team, BK covers everything but centre, with Bennett doing that.

The thing for me is that Hogg is out of sorts, he is trying to beat everyone in front of him when a pass would better serve the team. Fraz Brown is behind Ashman in everything bar experience. As much man-love I have for WP Nel, Walker did more than enough last week to retain his position on the pine. If Zander's stride is broken early doors Nel could be facing 70 minutes of the quickest test match around, which would expose him badly.

Has he mentioned why Redpath was sent home? Seems very strange to pick someone who has been very average for Scotland over him.

I do think Hogg deserves his place though. We can’t moan about Russell being dropped then drop Hogg, our other world class player, after 1 average game.

Walker did well last week but he’s about 3 in prop years, don’t think there can be many complaints there although very fair point about a 70 minute Nel

Slick wrote: ↑Fri Nov 11, 2022 4:58 pm

Tichtheid wrote: ↑Fri Nov 11, 2022 3:48 pm

Slick wrote: ↑Fri Nov 11, 2022 3:00 pm

Was it Ali who said you have a plan until you get punched in the face?

Mike Tyson, I think.

I can see the reasoning in the team, BK covers everything but centre, with Bennett doing that.

The thing for me is that Hogg is out of sorts, he is trying to beat everyone in front of him when a pass would better serve the team. Fraz Brown is behind Ashman in everything bar experience. As much man-love I have for WP Nel, Walker did more than enough last week to retain his position on the pine. If Zander's stride is broken early doors Nel could be facing 70 minutes of the quickest test match around, which would expose him badly.

Has he mentioned why Redpath was sent home? Seems very strange to pick someone who has been very average for Scotland over him.

I do think Hogg deserves his place though. We can’t moan about Russell being dropped then drop Hogg, our other world class player, after 1 average game.

Walker did well last week but he’s about 3 in prop years, don’t think there can be many complaints there although very fair point about a 70 minute Nel

I guess Redpath either starts or doesn’t get in the 23.

It’s a predictable team, but that’s the frustrating thing. I really cannot believe that with Redpath and Hutchinson both fit, we’re starting Tuipulotu against NZ. Toony must see something I don’t. And there are several selections that clearly weren’t made on current form.

If you always do what you’ve always done, you’ll always get what you’ve always got. We’ll ship at least 40 points on Sunday. The only question is whether we’ll score any in return or not.

I suspect it'll be a very dull game plan and a variation on France away in the 21 6N. Use Hogg and Finns kicking game to pen them back and try and be solid. Mixed in with the occassional ST crashball.

Big D wrote: ↑Fri Nov 11, 2022 7:28 pm I suspect it'll be a very dull game plan and a variation on France away in the 21 6N. Use Hogg and Finns kicking game to pen them back and try and be solid. Mixed in with the occassional ST crashball.

This. Team is packed to stay strong for first half/60 mins and then hope for a miracle. However I suspect we will be down early on and unfortunately that isn't a team designed to go for it and score tries. With Tuipolotu and Harris in midfield we are really trying to play tight and force them out wide or kick, not sure it will work. However our bench is strong with some pace in the back replacements. Loss within 10-15 I reckon.

Italy are way ahead of us…

Slick wrote: ↑Sat Nov 12, 2022 1:27 pm Italy are way ahead of us…

They are playing a weaker Australia side which isn't helpful as I'm trying to synthesise how this week's Australia result reflects on our result against Australia and therefore how good we actually are. Fiji keeping Ireland a bit close as well which I presume makes us look good? It's all so confusing.

I like neeps wrote: ↑Sat Nov 12, 2022 1:47 pm

Slick wrote: ↑Sat Nov 12, 2022 1:27 pm Italy are way ahead of us…

They are playing a weaker Australia side which isn't helpful as I'm trying to synthesise how this week's Australia result reflects on our result against Australia and therefore how good we actually are. Fiji keeping Ireland a bit close as well which I presume makes us look good? It's all so confusing.

Your sarcasm is disgusting

They just seem far more comfortable with the ball than we do at the moment

Slick wrote: ↑Sat Nov 12, 2022 1:49 pm

I like neeps wrote: ↑Sat Nov 12, 2022 1:47 pm

Slick wrote: ↑Sat Nov 12, 2022 1:27 pm Italy are way ahead of us…

They are playing a weaker Australia side which isn't helpful as I'm trying to synthesise how this week's Australia result reflects on our result against Australia and therefore how good we actually are. Fiji keeping Ireland a bit close as well which I presume makes us look good? It's all so confusing.

Your sarcasm is disgusting

They just seem far more comfortable with the ball than we do at the moment

I agree they're playing like Scotland under Vern where you see the structures and players starting to appear and they're capable of playing some really nice rugby. We'll see how far they can go!

If Italy continue to play like that they will win against us easily in the 6N because we are rank.

I like neeps wrote: ↑Sat Nov 12, 2022 2:30 pm

Slick wrote: ↑Sat Nov 12, 2022 1:49 pm

I like neeps wrote: ↑Sat Nov 12, 2022 1:47 pm

They are playing a weaker Australia side which isn't helpful as I'm trying to synthesise how this week's Australia result reflects on our result against Australia and therefore how good we actually are. Fiji keeping Ireland a bit close as well which I presume makes us look good? It's all so confusing.

Your sarcasm is disgusting

They just seem far more comfortable with the ball than we do at the moment

I agree they're playing like Scotland under Vern where you see the structures and players starting to appear and they're capable of playing some really nice rugby. We'll see how far they can go!

The frustrating thing is we should be capable of the same.

Big D wrote: ↑Sat Nov 12, 2022 2:55 pm

I like neeps wrote: ↑Sat Nov 12, 2022 2:30 pm

Slick wrote: ↑Sat Nov 12, 2022 1:49 pm

Your sarcasm is disgusting

They just seem far more comfortable with the ball than we do at the moment

I agree they're playing like Scotland under Vern where you see the structures and players starting to appear and they're capable of playing some really nice rugby. We'll see how far they can go!

The frustrating thing is we should be capable of the same.

I'll ignore the snide shite as I can never be doing with it, it's part of internet chat that devalues any attempt at discussion, but it thrives.

As to us being capable of a performance full of heart and brio like that, it's almost like there is a complacency to Scotland just now. If we were really professional and knuckling down we wouldn't we repeating the same mistakes, the repeat penalties, the getting isolated due to lack of support and the silly offsides.

Through to be fair it's a matter of tiny fractions, but we must start getting it right, tomorrow would be a good time for that.

why do you think it's complacency?

Simian wrote: ↑Sat Nov 12, 2022 3:09 pm why do you think it's complacency?

because we repeat the same mistakes, and often

Tichtheid wrote: ↑Sat Nov 12, 2022 3:16 pm

Simian wrote: ↑Sat Nov 12, 2022 3:09 pm why do you think it's complacency?

because we repeat the same mistakes, and often

I just don't really see how that comes from complacency tho?

Simian wrote: ↑Sat Nov 12, 2022 3:20 pm

Tichtheid wrote: ↑Sat Nov 12, 2022 3:16 pm

Simian wrote: ↑Sat Nov 12, 2022 3:09 pm why do you think it's complacency?

because we repeat the same mistakes, and often

I just don't really see how that comes from complacency tho?

What would it be, then?

Tichtheid wrote: ↑Sat Nov 12, 2022 3:21 pm

Simian wrote: ↑Sat Nov 12, 2022 3:20 pm

Tichtheid wrote: ↑Sat Nov 12, 2022 3:16 pm

because we repeat the same mistakes, and often

I just don't really see how that comes from complacency tho?

What would it be, then?

Bad coaching/management. You either allow the same mistakes or you don't know what's causing them. Neither is good.

Tichtheid wrote: ↑Sat Nov 12, 2022 3:07 pm

Big D wrote: ↑Sat Nov 12, 2022 2:55 pm

I like neeps wrote: ↑Sat Nov 12, 2022 2:30 pm

I agree they're playing like Scotland under Vern where you see the structures and players starting to appear and they're capable of playing some really nice rugby. We'll see how far they can go!

The frustrating thing is we should be capable of the same.

I'll ignore the snide shite as I can never be doing with it, it's part of internet chat that devalues any attempt at discussion, but it thrives.

As to us being capable of a performance full of heart and brio like that, it's almost like there is a complacency to Scotland just now. If we were really professional and knuckling down we wouldn't we repeating the same mistakes, the repeat penalties, the getting isolated due to lack of support and the silly offsides.

Through to be fair it's a matter of tiny fractions, but we must start getting it right, tomorrow would be a good time for that.

I agree with most of this. To expand on my point as I was in the middle of building a bed.

When I first started playing rugby and then through district stuff and then 1st XV senior rugby there were dozens of game plans and they all had common themes.

1. Carry hard and at pace. Don't take the ball standing still and if not passing make sure your carrying with intent.
2. Support the ball carrier.
3. Keep your discipline.
4. Find ways to get the best players consistently involved.
5. Make your tackles and keep the defensive shape.

Some game plans were simple 10-12 man rugby, some were fast wide game plans.

This Scotland side consistently do one (number 5) of the above reasonably well and this autumn have been below average at the rest.

Big D wrote: ↑Sat Nov 12, 2022 3:55 pm

Tichtheid wrote: ↑Sat Nov 12, 2022 3:07 pm

Big D wrote: ↑Sat Nov 12, 2022 2:55 pm

The frustrating thing is we should be capable of the same.

I'll ignore the snide shite as I can never be doing with it, it's part of internet chat that devalues any attempt at discussion, but it thrives.

As to us being capable of a performance full of heart and brio like that, it's almost like there is a complacency to Scotland just now. If we were really professional and knuckling down we wouldn't we repeating the same mistakes, the repeat penalties, the getting isolated due to lack of support and the silly offsides.

Through to be fair it's a matter of tiny fractions, but we must start getting it right, tomorrow would be a good time for that.

I agree with most of this. To expand on my point as I was in the middle of building a bed.

When I first started playing rugby and then through district stuff and then 1st XV senior rugby there were dozens of game plans and they all had common themes.

1. Carry hard and at pace. Don't take the ball standing still and if not passing make sure your carrying with intent.
2. Support the ball carrier.
3. Keep your discipline.
4. Find ways to get the best players consistently involved.
5. Make your tackles and keep the defensive shape.

Some game plans were simple 10-12 man rugby, some were fast wide game plans.

This Scotland side consistently do one (number 5) of the above reasonably well and this autumn have been below average at the rest.

I'd go a bit further than that, personally.

I think there is some really questionable thinking underpinning the way GT wants us to play.

For example, he seems really focussed on players holding their width, particularly once we've gone through a few phases. But this is coming at the cost of providing close support to the carrier, which means the carrier can get isolated and we either get turned over or get slow ball and static carriers etc.

The repeat defensive penalties also seem to stem directly from the defensive system we use, which is effective when it works, but leaves us very exposed out wide if it doesn't and is risky if a ref polices the offside line very aggressively (as we saw against Fiji). It's not a coincidence, imo, that the systems been less effective since refs were instructed to pay greater attention to defensive lines pushing up early.

I mean, a lot of this stuff could be fixed by better execution, discipline etc. I just feel we're putting ourselves under more pressure than we need to be.

Does Mossy still coach kicking within the SRU? They've just mentioned Boffelli was a 63% kicker in 2021. His style (now, not sure about previously) is similar to what Mossy's was like

Jock42 wrote: ↑Sat Nov 12, 2022 5:47 pm Does Mossy still coach kicking within the SRU? They've just mentioned Boffelli was a 63% kicker in 2021. His style (now, not sure about previously) is similar to what Mossy's was like

Yes, when Adam Hastings and Blair Kinghorn were named in the team for last week, apparently the first thing they did was grab Paterson and go out to practice kicking

Brilliant interview from Hoggy there, love the guy

Looking at Harris standing next to Fagerson, I didn't realise how big he was.

Thought it kicked off at 2:30. The f*ck happened?

If Duhan could.just sometimes dip and drive into the contact it would really help in those situations. Great shot by Whitelock.

I like neeps wrote: ↑Sun Nov 13, 2022 2:30 pm Thought it kicked off at 2:30. The f*ck happened?

Scotland started terribly then started playing some rugby.

Nice set play led to a penalty try then D'Arcy snared an intercept.

Take away the name of the opposition.

That's a game we should have won and didn't.

Very frustrating. Sione Tuipolotu is awful, an ineffective blunt object whilst really exciting players like Hutchinson aren't involved.

So dispiriting. We should have won, but I didn’t really believe we would at any point.

I like neeps wrote: ↑Sun Nov 13, 2022 4:13 pm Very frustrating. Sione Tuipolotu is awful, an ineffective blunt object whilst really exciting players like Hutchinson aren't involved.

Bar one set move it seems to be all about Finn creating space. In which case we need centres who can make the most of them.

We have no clue how to attack from 5m out.

The reality is our tries came from a set play 40m out that was ultimately a chip and chase and an interception.

Big D wrote: ↑Sun Nov 13, 2022 4:19 pm

I like neeps wrote: ↑Sun Nov 13, 2022 4:13 pm Very frustrating. Sione Tuipolotu is awful, an ineffective blunt object whilst really exciting players like Hutchinson aren't involved.

Bar one set move it seems to be all about Finn creating space. In which case we need centres who can make the most of them.

Absolutely. Couldn't agree more.

The only person who fails to see our centre pairing is an attacking black hole is the coach.

What is our supposed attack coach doing? It certainly isn't about attacking

Our pick and go play on attacking positions is just embarrassing, totally ineffective.

I thought we played some of the most effective rugby for a couple of years for 50 minutes, but the lack of finishing is just pathetic and what the fuck is the point of having Tuipolotu outside Finn.