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You're hoping Hogg got injured? Really?
Very odd for him but he has been generally crap for ages. Just my opinion.
So you are hoping he is injured? Bit odd to be hoping a guy due to win a 100th test cap/any player is injured tbh.westport wrote: ↑Sun Feb 05, 2023 1:05 pmVery odd for him but he has been generally crap for ages. Just my opinion.
At least show up. The last two games there's been none of the discipline, emotion or focus that was shown the week before Vs England.
Can't help but think that if it had been Graham instead of Steyn he'd probably have scored himselfI like neeps wrote: ↑Sun Feb 05, 2023 1:23 pm
I didn't realise at the time just how good this try is. Absolutely sensational
Have to say I didn’t really realise it has started all the way back there.I like neeps wrote: ↑Sun Feb 05, 2023 1:23 pm
I didn't realise at the time just how good this try is. Absolutely sensational
Mine too - he was imperious.Slick wrote: ↑Sun Feb 05, 2023 1:43 pmHave to say I didn’t really realise it has started all the way back there.I like neeps wrote: ↑Sun Feb 05, 2023 1:23 pm
I didn't realise at the time just how good this try is. Absolutely sensational
Also, Tuipolotu picking 2 great passes and tying in defenders. Think I might have to admit my doubts have been well and truly thrown back at me
He hasn’t been on his best form, but I thought he played well in the Autumnwestport wrote: ↑Sun Feb 05, 2023 1:05 pmVery odd for him but he has been generally crap for ages. Just my opinion.
Yeah he was very good to be fair. Was worried for him after being bumped off in the 1st half but that was a blip.I like neeps wrote: ↑Sun Feb 05, 2023 1:51 pmMine too - he was imperious.Slick wrote: ↑Sun Feb 05, 2023 1:43 pmHave to say I didn’t really realise it has started all the way back there.I like neeps wrote: ↑Sun Feb 05, 2023 1:23 pm
I didn't realise at the time just how good this try is. Absolutely sensational
Also, Tuipolotu picking 2 great passes and tying in defenders. Think I might have to admit my doubts have been well and truly thrown back at me
The more I watch it, the more I think it might be the better of his two scores. The first one was an incredible individual try, and certainly more spectacular, but the second was a proper team try. About half the guys on the pitch had a hand in it somewhere, and the raw power to make the line at the end despite the tackle… just wow. I’m pretty sure I felt the impact here in Wales when he brought the ball down.I like neeps wrote: ↑Sun Feb 05, 2023 1:23 pm
I didn't realise at the time just how good this try is. Absolutely sensational
Yeah it's really one of the best tries Scotland have scored since a long while. Maybe Maitland Vs England.Yr Alban wrote: ↑Sun Feb 05, 2023 2:42 pmThe more I watch it, the more I think it might be the better of his two scores. The first one was an incredible individual try, and certainly more spectacular, but the second was a proper team try. About half the guys on the pitch had a hand in it somewhere, and the raw power to make the line at the end despite the tackle… just wow. I’m pretty sure I felt the impact here in Wales when he brought the ball down.I like neeps wrote: ↑Sun Feb 05, 2023 1:23 pm
I didn't realise at the time just how good this try is. Absolutely sensational
Agree that you’d back Darcy to score that if he were there instead of Steyn. But Darcy is outrageous.
EDIT: was just reminded of a thought I had earlier. Fagerson very nearly butchered the score by passing to Duhan too early. Needed to draw the man before giving the pass. Fortunately Duhan is a monster.
You know how whenever you watch Hogg screaming towards the line at the end of the game v NZ, you hope that THIS time he’ll make it? This one is like the good version of that. He’s got three men to beat. It looks impossible - and then that right arm comes down like Thor in an Avengers film. I will never get bored of watching it.
I’ve been going backwards and forwards on that Fagerson pass. I’ve settled on it being a good decision. 3 defenders coming across that were probably going to cover a draw and pass so give Duhan a shot and back him upYr Alban wrote: ↑Sun Feb 05, 2023 2:42 pmThe more I watch it, the more I think it might be the better of his two scores. The first one was an incredible individual try, and certainly more spectacular, but the second was a proper team try. About half the guys on the pitch had a hand in it somewhere, and the raw power to make the line at the end despite the tackle… just wow. I’m pretty sure I felt the impact here in Wales when he brought the ball down.I like neeps wrote: ↑Sun Feb 05, 2023 1:23 pm
I didn't realise at the time just how good this try is. Absolutely sensational
Agree that you’d back Darcy to score that if he were there instead of Steyn. But Darcy is outrageous.
EDIT: was just reminded of a thought I had earlier. Fagerson very nearly butchered the score by passing to Duhan too early. Needed to draw the man before giving the pass. Fortunately Duhan is a monster.
I also think it was the right decision; English defence wasn't biting and looking to get them over the touchline so probably a good idea to just give it to McMerwe.Slick wrote: ↑Sun Feb 05, 2023 3:51 pmI’ve been going backwards and forwards on that Fagerson pass. I’ve settled on it being a good decision. 3 defenders coming across that were probably going to cover a draw and pass so give Duhan a shot and back him upYr Alban wrote: ↑Sun Feb 05, 2023 2:42 pmThe more I watch it, the more I think it might be the better of his two scores. The first one was an incredible individual try, and certainly more spectacular, but the second was a proper team try. About half the guys on the pitch had a hand in it somewhere, and the raw power to make the line at the end despite the tackle… just wow. I’m pretty sure I felt the impact here in Wales when he brought the ball down.I like neeps wrote: ↑Sun Feb 05, 2023 1:23 pm
I didn't realise at the time just how good this try is. Absolutely sensational
Agree that you’d back Darcy to score that if he were there instead of Steyn. But Darcy is outrageous.
EDIT: was just reminded of a thought I had earlier. Fagerson very nearly butchered the score by passing to Duhan too early. Needed to draw the man before giving the pass. Fortunately Duhan is a monster.
absolutelySlick wrote: ↑Sun Feb 05, 2023 3:51 pmI’ve been going backwards and forwards on that Fagerson pass. I’ve settled on it being a good decision. 3 defenders coming across that were probably going to cover a draw and pass so give Duhan a shot and back him upYr Alban wrote: ↑Sun Feb 05, 2023 2:42 pmThe more I watch it, the more I think it might be the better of his two scores. The first one was an incredible individual try, and certainly more spectacular, but the second was a proper team try. About half the guys on the pitch had a hand in it somewhere, and the raw power to make the line at the end despite the tackle… just wow. I’m pretty sure I felt the impact here in Wales when he brought the ball down.I like neeps wrote: ↑Sun Feb 05, 2023 1:23 pm
I didn't realise at the time just how good this try is. Absolutely sensational
Agree that you’d back Darcy to score that if he were there instead of Steyn. But Darcy is outrageous.
EDIT: was just reminded of a thought I had earlier. Fagerson very nearly butchered the score by passing to Duhan too early. Needed to draw the man before giving the pass. Fortunately Duhan is a monster.
Also there's absolutely no chance that Marcus Smith tackles VdM. I have as good a chance one on one.clydecloggie wrote: ↑Sun Feb 05, 2023 4:09 pmI also think it was the right decision; English defence wasn't biting and looking to get them over the touchline so probably a good idea to just give it to McMerwe.Slick wrote: ↑Sun Feb 05, 2023 3:51 pmI’ve been going backwards and forwards on that Fagerson pass. I’ve settled on it being a good decision. 3 defenders coming across that were probably going to cover a draw and pass so give Duhan a shot and back him upYr Alban wrote: ↑Sun Feb 05, 2023 2:42 pm
The more I watch it, the more I think it might be the better of his two scores. The first one was an incredible individual try, and certainly more spectacular, but the second was a proper team try. About half the guys on the pitch had a hand in it somewhere, and the raw power to make the line at the end despite the tackle… just wow. I’m pretty sure I felt the impact here in Wales when he brought the ball down.
Agree that you’d back Darcy to score that if he were there instead of Steyn. But Darcy is outrageous.
EDIT: was just reminded of a thought I had earlier. Fagerson very nearly butchered the score by passing to Duhan too early. Needed to draw the man before giving the pass. Fortunately Duhan is a monster.
Yeah, so to take him down will take another player at least even if Smith gets a piece of him, and Fagerson has set himself up to blast the breakdown so the ball is really quick for Kinghorn and Russell who are lurking.I like neeps wrote: ↑Sun Feb 05, 2023 4:36 pmAlso there's absolutely no chance that Marcus Smith tackles VdM. I have as good a chance one on one.clydecloggie wrote: ↑Sun Feb 05, 2023 4:09 pmI also think it was the right decision; English defence wasn't biting and looking to get them over the touchline so probably a good idea to just give it to McMerwe.
OK, maybe I should give Fagerson the benefit of the doubt. When you’ve got a wrecking ball like Duhan on the wing, arriving at speed, who can scatter defenders like Lilliputians, it’s got to be tempting just to give him the ball and let him do Duhan things. Which he did.Biffer wrote: ↑Sun Feb 05, 2023 4:56 pmYeah, so to take him down will take another player at least even if Smith gets a piece of him, and Fagerson has set himself up to blast the breakdown so the ball is really quick for Kinghorn and Russell who are lurking.I like neeps wrote: ↑Sun Feb 05, 2023 4:36 pmAlso there's absolutely no chance that Marcus Smith tackles VdM. I have as good a chance one on one.clydecloggie wrote: ↑Sun Feb 05, 2023 4:09 pm
I also think it was the right decision; English defence wasn't biting and looking to get them over the touchline so probably a good idea to just give it to McMerwe.
Edit - and Horne, who if you watch him during that clip, arrives at every breakdown from ahead of the ball.
Chris Paterson probably isn’t a Lion today due to one missed tackle v Ireland (I think. Maybe Wales?) which somehow led to him being labelled as a bad defender, which I don’t think he ever was. I don’t want to sound paranoid here, but it does sometimes seem that Scottish players are more likely to receive these labels than others. Rather like when Hogg was bumped from the Lions tea in favour of Liam Williams, who didn’t do any better under the high ball than Hogg had.I like neeps wrote: ↑Mon Feb 06, 2023 9:28 am On Hogg a lot over the years has been made of his one on one tackling...
... Steward is hailed as some uber solid robot and he missed three one on ones leading to scores at the weekend. Not saying he's bad, just how hard it is to tackle 1vs1 at 15
As Biffer says Horne was at the breakdown so early he was almost standing hands on hips waiting for the ruck to form! Our recycling speed was excellent and Horne made all the right decisions.Yr Alban wrote: ↑Sun Feb 05, 2023 6:30 pmOK, maybe I should give Fagerson the benefit of the doubt. When you’ve got a wrecking ball like Duhan on the wing, arriving at speed, who can scatter defenders like Lilliputians, it’s got to be tempting just to give him the ball and let him do Duhan things. Which he did.Biffer wrote: ↑Sun Feb 05, 2023 4:56 pmYeah, so to take him down will take another player at least even if Smith gets a piece of him, and Fagerson has set himself up to blast the breakdown so the ball is really quick for Kinghorn and Russell who are lurking.I like neeps wrote: ↑Sun Feb 05, 2023 4:36 pm
Also there's absolutely no chance that Marcus Smith tackles VdM. I have as good a chance one on one.
Edit - and Horne, who if you watch him during that clip, arrives at every breakdown from ahead of the ball.
I was mightily impressed with Horne. His service was lightning fast.
Have to agree, nobody has mentioned how poor Steward's defence was. Missing Duhan with a 30 meter run up totally fine, getting skinned by Ben White... Yeesh.Yr Alban wrote: ↑Mon Feb 06, 2023 10:15 amChris Paterson probably isn’t a Lion today due to one missed tackle v Ireland (I think. Maybe Wales?) which somehow led to him being labelled as a bad defender, which I don’t think he ever was. I don’t want to sound paranoid here, but it does sometimes seem that Scottish players are more likely to receive these labels than others. Rather like when Hogg was bumped from the Lions tea in favour of Liam Williams, who didn’t do any better under the high ball than Hogg had.I like neeps wrote: ↑Mon Feb 06, 2023 9:28 am On Hogg a lot over the years has been made of his one on one tackling...
... Steward is hailed as some uber solid robot and he missed three one on ones leading to scores at the weekend. Not saying he's bad, just how hard it is to tackle 1vs1 at 15
They probably could; but why not Horne and Kinghorn? Horne's goalkicking is very good, even if GT didn't think of that at the end vs. Australia.Big D wrote: ↑Mon Feb 06, 2023 10:39 am Been thinking about next week.
My only changes would be to the bench. Fagerson, Skinner and Redpath for Berghan, Gray and Harris. If we are content to spread it wide then we are as well having Redpath over Harris.
As a curve ball I wondered whether Healy and Kinghorn could bench together. Kinghorn can be devastating in the outside channels and I think we lose that when he's at 10.
I suspect Toonie will make a few changes. He will have one eye on all the games and will be desperate to get some game time into the legs of players like Watson and Fagerson, particularly the latter as Nel can't play all 6 games for 60+ mins a time! Ditto Schoo. There will be a plan to ensure we don't run some players into the ground over 6 games, particularly in the forwards as 6Ns can be very attritional. TBH we have some good depth in the squad so a few changes doesnt worry me plus and Toonie will have a clear plan for each game and what we need to front up to in each of them.charltom wrote: ↑Mon Feb 06, 2023 10:48 amThey probably could; but why not Horne and Kinghorn? Horne's goalkicking is very good, even if GT didn't think of that at the end vs. Australia.Big D wrote: ↑Mon Feb 06, 2023 10:39 am Been thinking about next week.
My only changes would be to the bench. Fagerson, Skinner and Redpath for Berghan, Gray and Harris. If we are content to spread it wide then we are as well having Redpath over Harris.
As a curve ball I wondered whether Healy and Kinghorn could bench together. Kinghorn can be devastating in the outside channels and I think we lose that when he's at 10.
Good calls on the bench changes.
It's almost heresy, but Wales look like the weak link in the 6N line-up - so a chance to get a few other players in.dpedin wrote: ↑Mon Feb 06, 2023 10:57 amI suspect Toonie will make a few changes. He will have one eye on all the games and will be desperate to get some game time into the legs of players like Watson and Fagerson, particularly the latter as Nel can't play all 6 games for 60+ mins a time! Ditto Schoo. There will be a plan to ensure we don't run some players into the ground over 6 games, particularly in the forwards as 6Ns can be very attritional. TBH we have some good depth in the squad so a few changes doesnt worry me plus and Toonie will have a clear plan for each game and what we need to front up to in each of them.charltom wrote: ↑Mon Feb 06, 2023 10:48 amThey probably could; but why not Horne and Kinghorn? Horne's goalkicking is very good, even if GT didn't think of that at the end vs. Australia.Big D wrote: ↑Mon Feb 06, 2023 10:39 am Been thinking about next week.
My only changes would be to the bench. Fagerson, Skinner and Redpath for Berghan, Gray and Harris. If we are content to spread it wide then we are as well having Redpath over Harris.
As a curve ball I wondered whether Healy and Kinghorn could bench together. Kinghorn can be devastating in the outside channels and I think we lose that when he's at 10.
Good calls on the bench changes.
NO!clydecloggie wrote: ↑Mon Feb 06, 2023 11:16 amIt's almost heresy, but Wales look like the weak link in the 6N line-up - so a chance to get a few other players in.dpedin wrote: ↑Mon Feb 06, 2023 10:57 amI suspect Toonie will make a few changes. He will have one eye on all the games and will be desperate to get some game time into the legs of players like Watson and Fagerson, particularly the latter as Nel can't play all 6 games for 60+ mins a time! Ditto Schoo. There will be a plan to ensure we don't run some players into the ground over 6 games, particularly in the forwards as 6Ns can be very attritional. TBH we have some good depth in the squad so a few changes doesnt worry me plus and Toonie will have a clear plan for each game and what we need to front up to in each of them.
However, we have to get rid of our 2-from-2 syndrome - so no mercy and no toying around with the team as we usually do against Italy.
Wales and England play a similar type of game as well. All in all - keep the same guys with the exception of Z Fagerson coming in.
Couldn’t agree more. Toony trusted the guys in form and they delivered. Barring injuries, the same XV should start v Wales. They earned it. Any tinkering should be on the bench only.I like neeps wrote: ↑Mon Feb 06, 2023 11:24 amNO!clydecloggie wrote: ↑Mon Feb 06, 2023 11:16 amIt's almost heresy, but Wales look like the weak link in the 6N line-up - so a chance to get a few other players in.dpedin wrote: ↑Mon Feb 06, 2023 10:57 am
I suspect Toonie will make a few changes. He will have one eye on all the games and will be desperate to get some game time into the legs of players like Watson and Fagerson, particularly the latter as Nel can't play all 6 games for 60+ mins a time! Ditto Schoo. There will be a plan to ensure we don't run some players into the ground over 6 games, particularly in the forwards as 6Ns can be very attritional. TBH we have some good depth in the squad so a few changes doesnt worry me plus and Toonie will have a clear plan for each game and what we need to front up to in each of them.
However, we have to get rid of our 2-from-2 syndrome - so no mercy and no toying around with the team as we usually do against Italy.
Wales and England play a similar type of game as well. All in all - keep the same guys with the exception of Z Fagerson coming in.
The team has twice showed up vs Wales thinking a win was inevitable after beating England with two really good performances and had their arse handed to them... Twice.
Don't change a winning team except getting Fagerson in. Fagerson Matt, Crosbie and Dempsey have all had really good seasons, they've all played well Vs England. There's no reason to bring Watson in for the guys who are winning and on form.
Fiddle with Harris on the bench maybe, keep the team mostly the same.
Because it isn't about goalkicking but releasing Kinghorn to roam the wider channels where he can pop up and cause issues but also distribute if needed. If he replaces Russell then we lose a real game breaker in those channels.
Yeah, I do agree I wouldn't change the starting XV at all. To explain my thinking on the bench I just think that Fagerson is a no brainer, Skinner is currently better than Gray Jnr and Harris doesn't really suit the game they are evidently trying to play.I like neeps wrote: ↑Mon Feb 06, 2023 11:24 am NO!
The team has twice showed up vs Wales thinking a win was inevitable after beating England with two really good performances and had their arse handed to them... Twice.
Don't change a winning team except getting Fagerson in. Fagerson Matt, Crosbie and Dempsey have all had really good seasons, they've all played well Vs England. There's no reason to bring Watson in for the guys who are winning and on form.
Fiddle with Harris on the bench maybe, keep the team mostly the same.
It just occurs to me, though, that Ollie Smith or Kinghorn for Hogg might be sensible...Yr Alban wrote: ↑Mon Feb 06, 2023 12:25 pmCouldn’t agree more. Toony trusted the guys in form and they delivered. Barring injuries, the same XV should start v Wales. They earned it. Any tinkering should be on the bench only.I like neeps wrote: ↑Mon Feb 06, 2023 11:24 amNO!clydecloggie wrote: ↑Mon Feb 06, 2023 11:16 am
It's almost heresy, but Wales look like the weak link in the 6N line-up - so a chance to get a few other players in.
However, we have to get rid of our 2-from-2 syndrome - so no mercy and no toying around with the team as we usually do against Italy.
Wales and England play a similar type of game as well. All in all - keep the same guys with the exception of Z Fagerson coming in.
The team has twice showed up vs Wales thinking a win was inevitable after beating England with two really good performances and had their arse handed to them... Twice.
Don't change a winning team except getting Fagerson in. Fagerson Matt, Crosbie and Dempsey have all had really good seasons, they've all played well Vs England. There's no reason to bring Watson in for the guys who are winning and on form.
Fiddle with Harris on the bench maybe, keep the team mostly the same.
Would just like to observe that my comment about Lilliputians above was written before I saw Tom English’s match report, in which he has employed the same metaphor!Yr Alban wrote: ↑Sun Feb 05, 2023 6:30 pmOK, maybe I should give Fagerson the benefit of the doubt. When you’ve got a wrecking ball like Duhan on the wing, arriving at speed, who can scatter defenders like Lilliputians, it’s got to be tempting just to give him the ball and let him do Duhan things. Which he did.Biffer wrote: ↑Sun Feb 05, 2023 4:56 pmYeah, so to take him down will take another player at least even if Smith gets a piece of him, and Fagerson has set himself up to blast the breakdown so the ball is really quick for Kinghorn and Russell who are lurking.I like neeps wrote: ↑Sun Feb 05, 2023 4:36 pm
Also there's absolutely no chance that Marcus Smith tackles VdM. I have as good a chance one on one.
Edit - and Horne, who if you watch him during that clip, arrives at every breakdown from ahead of the ball.
I was mightily impressed with Horne. His service was lightning fast.
Ha! I stopped reading his report when I read that word, thinking I must have already read it. I shall have to go back to it.Yr Alban wrote: ↑Mon Feb 06, 2023 1:02 pmWould just like to observe that my comment about Lilliputians above was written before I saw Tom English’s match report, in which he has employed the same metaphor!Yr Alban wrote: ↑Sun Feb 05, 2023 6:30 pmOK, maybe I should give Fagerson the benefit of the doubt. When you’ve got a wrecking ball like Duhan on the wing, arriving at speed, who can scatter defenders like Lilliputians, it’s got to be tempting just to give him the ball and let him do Duhan things. Which he did.Biffer wrote: ↑Sun Feb 05, 2023 4:56 pm
Yeah, so to take him down will take another player at least even if Smith gets a piece of him, and Fagerson has set himself up to blast the breakdown so the ball is really quick for Kinghorn and Russell who are lurking.
Edit - and Horne, who if you watch him during that clip, arrives at every breakdown from ahead of the ball.
I was mightily impressed with Horne. His service was lightning fast.
I don't really see it. You have to consider the squad will all have tremendous faith in Hogg, they'll all be (hopefully, I have my doubts based on the last two years) super focused on the match Vs Wales. To drop Hogg for a younger high potential player in Smith, or the guy they now believe to be back up flyhalf in Kinghorn I don't think is the right move mentally.charltom wrote: ↑Mon Feb 06, 2023 12:29 pmIt just occurs to me, though, that Ollie Smith or Kinghorn for Hogg might be sensible...Yr Alban wrote: ↑Mon Feb 06, 2023 12:25 pmCouldn’t agree more. Toony trusted the guys in form and they delivered. Barring injuries, the same XV should start v Wales. They earned it. Any tinkering should be on the bench only.I like neeps wrote: ↑Mon Feb 06, 2023 11:24 am
NO!
The team has twice showed up vs Wales thinking a win was inevitable after beating England with two really good performances and had their arse handed to them... Twice.
Don't change a winning team except getting Fagerson in. Fagerson Matt, Crosbie and Dempsey have all had really good seasons, they've all played well Vs England. There's no reason to bring Watson in for the guys who are winning and on form.
Fiddle with Harris on the bench maybe, keep the team mostly the same.
I honestly view Hogg as Scotland's greatest ever player, or at least joint. He has looked a bit off in the last few games but he was also just coming back from a few weeks off on Saturday. That of course doesn't mean he can never be dropped, but he is still a game changer and I'd have him every week. Have a feeling he is going to be special on Saturday, if not injured.I like neeps wrote: ↑Mon Feb 06, 2023 1:38 pmI don't really see it. You have to consider the squad will all have tremendous faith in Hogg, they'll all be (hopefully, I have my doubts based on the last two years) super focused on the match Vs Wales. To drop Hogg for a younger high potential player in Smith, or the guy they now believe to be back up flyhalf in Kinghorn I don't think is the right move mentally.
Or playing, I like Smith but not yet at this level. I like Kinghorn but he's not played 15 regularly for some time and I still think Blair and Toonie moved him to 10 because he was in a serious rut at 15 with cockers.