Fusaro for Scotland

Watching Fusaro this season it is clear that, currently he is better than Barclay and therefore, presuming we are taking two opensides, should he tour ahead of him?

I think Fusaro has played really well this season and deserves his chance for Scotland. Although I was surprised how nervous he gets before a Rabo game, saying he is physically sick before each game. Does make me wonder how his nerves would be affected by the pressure and prestige of an international test match.

Numbers, he certainly has been excellent since Christmas, altho to be fair to Barclay, I find it a little tricky to judge when he hasn't really had a run of games at 7 - personally, I'd still take Rennie and Barclay (unless one requires a rest, in which case Fusaro is a shoo-in)

I could be persuaded to leave Barclay at home, at least it'll stop Robinson picking him at lock, prop, hooker or whatever else he has lined-up for the specialist openside.

Rennie is clearly the first choice and will play against Australia. Fusaro probably deserves to tour on merit, and I think Barclay could probably use a break.

That said, Fusaro got himself injured against Treviso, no idea how serious. Could give Barclay a chance to stake a claim at 7 for the play-offs. The decision to pick him at 8 didn't work at all.

I assume that Robinson has him down for scrum half next.

funnyExiledScot wrote: The decision to pick him at 8 didn't work at all.

whod have thought?

On current form Fusaro should definitely go on tour ahead of Barclay. Fusaro ain't the biggest of 7s ever but he more than makes up for that with his aggression and commitment.

Manky-Flanker i wouldn't worry too much with him being nervous and vomiting. That happened to him during a game at the world 7s at Murrayfield a couple years back while walking up to a lineout, doesn't seem to hold him back though.

On form surely the team for Australia has to be:

1. Welsh
2. Ford
3. Cross
4. Hamilton
5. Gray
6. Harley
7. Rennie/ Fusaro
8. Denton
9. Blair
10.Weir
11. Jones
12. Scott
13. Dunbar
14. Brown
15. Hogg
On the nerves front, Wilkinon suffered terribly and he did all right on the big stage

I'd pretty much agree with that team for the test against australia, would say Rennie is still ahead of Fusaro in the starting line up and would possibly have sean lamont on the wing instead of Tom Brown with Brown on the bench but apart from that i'd say spot on.

I suppose without Blair my backline has a combined cap total if 10

123456789 wrote:I suppose without Blair my backline has a combined cap total if 10

And there's no way on this earth that Robinson would go with that, sadly

I’d be tempted to give Barclay the summer off. He’s not had a good run of games this season and would benefit from the rest. Get him fresh for the new season.

That’s an inexperienced backline but they have to start somewhere. You can’t get experience by not playing, and it has to be full games, not 20 min cameos. I suspect we’ll see Ansbro or De Luca at 13 but I would certainly say that Scott and Dunbar have played themselves onto the tour. If Robbo omits either one it’ll be a mistake. I’d rather see Dunbar at 12 as he has a bit more of a physical presence and knows what lines to run.

123456789 wrote:I suppose without Blair my backline has a combined cap total if 10

That shouldn't matter at all if you're picking the right players.

I think Laidlaw and Ansbro would have a pretty good case for getting picked on form, perhaps with Dunbar at 12 (where he's covered well when required) and Ansbro at 13. Also watch this weekend. Some Edinburgh players will hopefully step forward with big performances.

I'd have no problem with your backline though. Robinson might. It doesn't include Jackson, Morrison and Lamont.

Matt Scott deserves to start in my opinion.
I predict a Robinson side of:

9. Cusiter
10. Laidlaw
11. Jones
12. Morrison
13. Lamont
14. Evans
15. Hogg

Only two or three of those would currently start for me but I worry that there is a very large chance that this could be the backline.
On another note how p'd off must Harley be, he's been a standout performer for Glasgow for 2-3 years now as well as been included in umpteen training squads yet he hasn't been given a sniff in which time Denton has overtaken him, he has seen an inferior player in Strockosh starting ahead of him as well as a lock and an openside. Our starting side for the next world cup's looking good now though:

1. Welsh
2. Ford
3. Nel
4. j.Gray/ Gilchrist
5. R. Gray
6. Harley or Brown
7. Fusaro, Rennie or Barclay
8. Wilson, Denton, MacInally, Beattie, Vernon
9. Laidlaw, McKibbin (hopefully)
10. Weir, Leonard, Jackson
11. Jones, Evans, Farndale
12. Scott or Dunbar
13. Bennett
14. Visser, Maitland (hopefully), that Mitchell guy from Austalia (hopefully), Farndale
15. Hogg or Brown

None of these players are too young except possibly Jonny Gray and Farndale thr others (where possible, i.e qualification or choice) should be blooded in asap

If you're going to mention Jonny Gray as a possible, then you should certainly include Nick Campbell. I've only seen him play once, but I was very impressed.

Don't forget Joe Ansbro.

funnyExiledScot wrote:If you're going to mention Jonny Gray as a possible, then you should certainly include Nick Campbell. I've only seen him play once, but I was very impressed.

Don't forget Joe Ansbro.

I notice ansbros been playing inside centre for the exiles recently and doing a good job. While Id prefer Scott, its good to see we can call on Joe if needs be

Is it me or has Jackson gone backwards this season. His kicking has been woeful. I'd honestly only start Jackson if we had someone else on the pitch to take the kicks, Laidlaw or McKibben at 9. My head is in my hands every time he lines up.

Scot Abroad wrote:Is it me or has Jackson gone backwards this season. His kicking has been woeful. I'd honestly only start Jackson if we had someone else on the pitch to take the kicks, Laidlaw or McKibben at 9. My head is in my hands every time he lines up.

Exactly, Laidlaw at 9 and Jackson at 10 could work, but neither Lineen nor Robinson seems to understand that your kicker doesnt have to be your 10.

Why would you want Jackson at 10, IBD? As Scot Abroad notes he has "gone backwards this season" and is now firmly behind both Weir and Laidlaw at 10. I know you're no fan of Weir, but he'd be a better bet than Jackson imo

AsLongAsBut100ofUs wrote:Why would you want Jackson at 10, IBD? As Scot Abroad notes he has "gone backwards this season" and is now firmly behind both Weir and Laidlaw at 10. I know you're no fan of Weir, but he'd be a better bet than Jackson imo

Jackson is certainly behind Laidlaw and Weir, everyone can see that but Robinson. People complain that Weir can’t get the backline moving but Dan Carter would have trouble with Morrison playing outside him. What happens when Dunbar steps into 12? We score 8 tries in 2 games (exaggerating for effect). Weir’s best attribute has to be his kicking. He has a huge boot and gives the team the option of taking points from penalties around the half way, something Laidlaw and Jackson are unable to do. While Robinson will stick with Laidlaw for the summer tour, Weir should be on the bench.

AsLongAsBut100ofUs wrote:Why would you want Jackson at 10, IBD? As Scot Abroad notes he has "gone backwards this season" and is now firmly behind both Weir and Laidlaw at 10. I know you're no fan of Weir, but he'd be a better bet than Jackson imo

I wasnt suggesting i wanted that. I just said it could work. I know hes gone backwards this season, but i feel that if he had the kicking duties taken away and allowed to focus on his general play, he might rediscover some form.

Imperialbigdave wrote:

AsLongAsBut100ofUs wrote:Why would you want Jackson at 10, IBD? As Scot Abroad notes he has "gone backwards this season" and is now firmly behind both Weir and Laidlaw at 10. I know you're no fan of Weir, but he'd be a better bet than Jackson imo

I wasnt suggesting i wanted that. I just said it could work. I know hes gone backwards this season, but i feel that if he had the kicking duties taken away and allowed to focus on his general play, he might rediscover some form.

Right you are, see what you meant now

Chris Fusaro has had a terrific season and should tour - if Robinson picked on form - but he doesn't and will pack the tour with his little favourites !

Come on guys, I'm not a fan of Robinson or his selection policy. But look at who we are playing!

10. Weir, Leonard, Jackson
11. Jones, Evans, Farndale
12. Scott or Dunbar
13. Bennett
14. Visser, Maitland (hopefully), that Mitchell guy from Austalia (hopefully), Farndale
15. Hogg or Brown

I'm going to have nightmares about what the pacific islanders backline would to to any combination of these players. I want youngsters blooded, don't get me wrong on that one.

But you can't seriously throw that many rookies into the deep end against some of the most phyisical and intimidating players in world rugby.

I don't want to have to revert to Morrison and Lamont in the middle, thats been tried, tested and certified a failure. I want us to play running rugby but fear for the physicality of our backline against the pacific islanders in their own back yard. NDL I think would have to be picked at 13 to give the backline a bit of backbone.

2 seasons ago who would have thought NDL could be our best tackler in the backline?

RuggerRadge2611 wrote:Come on guys, I'm not a fan of Robinson or his selection policy. But look at who we are playing!

10. Weir, Leonard, Jackson
11. Jones, Evans, Farndale
12. Scott or Dunbar
13. Bennett
14. Visser, Maitland (hopefully), that Mitchell guy from Austalia (hopefully), Farndale
15. Hogg or Brown

I'm going to have nightmares about what the pacific islanders backline would to to any combination of these players. I want youngsters blooded, don't get me wrong on that one.

But you can't seriously throw that many rookies into the deep end against some of the most phyisical and intimidating players in world rugby.
I don't want to have to revert to Morrison and Lamont in the middle, thats been tried, tested and certified a failure. I want us to play running rugby but fear for the physicality of our backline against the pacific islanders in their own back yard. NDL I think would have to be picked at 13 to give the backline a bit of backbone.

2 seasons ago who would have thought NDL could be our best tackler in the backline?

Tis true, Radge, they won't all be picked in the same backline ... yet