Well done Scotland!

Ok now all the should of, would of, could of is out the way, I'd just like to congratulate our Scottish friends on being the only NH team to come back from down south undefeated. OK so it wasn't a 3 test series but the win over Aus showed a very committed defence and to win in Samoa is not as easy as some may think.

Well done and good luck for the AI...

Top man - thanks!

Yep.....scotland are not a bad side. Check my posts....been saying it for ages. Only a month or two ago tho' it was all 'sack robinson' this and 'time for robinson to go' that. Now they're starting to shoew their potential. Impressive forward unit with a couple of threats in the backs.....long may they continue to improve and cause more than just us problems next year !!

Yes, well done Scotland, I have a feeling that with some time together, players like Matt Scott, Hogg and Visser in the team, the back row of Kelly Brown, Rennie and Denton and Laidlaw and Weir in the mix, Scotland will be doing a lot better in next year's 6N. It's all about fine margins at this level anyway

Big plus for me was Ryan Grant. His three performances should put some pressure on Chunk.

6 nations will be the big test, but before last years competition our backs were the big problem. While they are not world beaters yet, we should go into next years comp with a far better 10,12, 15 and a serious try scoring threat on the wing.

I fully agree, Scotland needs a hearty congratulations for a very successful tour, I think this tour could be a turning point for them as the winning habit is part and parcel to building belief, the fact that they scored some good tries was great to see and hopefully have gone a long way in curing the white line fever that they have been suffering from.

The Australian test was in my view a very important win as that will enhance the credibility of their away tour.

We must also not forget the ambassadorial role the whole team played during their tours and would have not only improved relations with the islands, but also have enhanced their reputations as stand up guys.

Yes, well done. Now do something with it! I'm not Scottish, so I'm not too bothered, but I am British so I like to see Scotland do well and it must drive Scottish fans nuts that you can beat SH teams each year in AI's and summer tours and then not turn up when it matters (6N and world cup). Please don't take this the wrong way (easier said than done on the internet) but if you can beat the 3N sides during the tours then you should do much better in the 6N. Why doesn't it happen for you guys?

Impossible Standards wrote:Ok now all the should of, would of, could of is out the way, I'd just like to congratulate our Scottish friends on being the only NH team to come back from down south undefeated. OK so it wasn't a 3 test series but the win over Aus showed a very committed defence and to win in Samoa is not as easy as some may think.

Well done and good luck for the AI...

Much appreciated, Standards, ultra, griff, Biltong and CJ. three wins are three wins, which is more than we've had for a while, but equally we cannot ignore the oppo or the conditions, so won't be getting ahead of ourselves. Slow steps forward for this group of players

Asbo, all teams play the same conditions, don't let anyone marginalise the win over OZ

Yeah, to be the best you have to be able to play in rain or shine and adapt so the rain in no way devalues te win in my eyes, although thenresult may have been different in the sun you can only play in the weather you get

biltongbek wrote:Asbo, all teams play the same conditions, don't let anyone marginalise the win over OZ

That is true, biltong, and you're right we shouldn't. But until we start getting results in tournament competition, these one-off victories haven't amounted to much that counts - don't get me wrong, they are great to have, but we have to improve in the 6Ns now to back it up

Well asbo, there is a base to work from now, that's a start.

Massively pleased with this tour. The group have clearly taken a lot from it, three wins against difficult opposition in difficult conditions, and some big positives at an individual level:

- As Mantooth notes above, Ryan Grant gives us a much needed altenative at loosehead. Chunk is on the wane, so we needed one of Welsh and Grant to step up. Grant has looked a competent scrummager, and industrious in the loose.

- Euan Murray is back, thank goodness. We need him back at his scrummaging best.

- Richie Gray and Ross Rennie are persistently awesome.

- Laidlaw is an international 10.

- Matt Scott has had three games of experience, and by all accounts set up a score on Saturday with a great individual break.

- King Visser is among us. Bring on the AIs.



Sure, we didn't face a three test series against one of the big three, but we shouldn't underestimate quite how tricky those three fixtures in those conditions were.

I agree on all of it but I still think Laidlaw is a better 9 and could pair up very well with Weir

ChequeredJersey wrote:I agree on all of it but I still think Laidlaw is a better 9 and could pair up very well with Weir

I agree Laidlaw is a halfback.

OK, some thoughts on the tour, what we've learned, etc.:

So first up, 3 wins out of 3 is impressive by anyone's standard, particularly in Australia's backyard, Fiji's backyard and Samoa's backyard. OK, maybe the Oz line-up was weaker than we might have faced, perhaps the conditions played to our strengths, perhaps the Fijians are not as strong as they once used to be, and perhaps the Samoans were missing some star names in their backs as a result of some political fall-out. But, it's still out of 3!

So, is it a new dawn, or have we been here before? We came back from Argentina two summers ago having triumphed 2-0, but couldn't progress. I think it might be slightly more the former, with a newer crop of players, particularly in the backline, now blooded in the test arena. We're far from the finished article, that's for sure, lack of composure at times against Fiji and being second best for long periods against Samoa showed that, but I sense some hope that Scotland are moving forwards at last!

On the individual player front, we have Stroks as player of the tour, Matt Scott as most improved on the tour, and MacVisser as find of the tour (altho that could easily have gone to Ryan Grant, more of whom later). Individual match performances that gained recognition came from Stroks (vs Oz), wee Greig (vs Fiji), and Rosco (vs Samoa), altho I felt that they were all mainly massive team efforts for once. Also a number of players gained their first caps on this tour (Tom Brown, MacVisser, Grant, Ryder and Harley), a number have consolidated their early international experience (Laidlaw, Scott & Hogg), and the few that did not feature will still have benefited from this experience hopefully (Dunbar, Weir & McInally).

In the scrum, it was great to see Big Euge back to close to his best, and I really hope he can maintain that - hopefully the influence of Dean Richards at coach will continue to motivate him to do what he does best, ie eat opposing looseheads (altho he'll come across more challenging oppo) - Moray Low and Geoff Cross are decent back-up. Ryan Grant locked the other side of the scrum exceptionally well, imo, and Chunk will struggle to get the no.1 shirt back I suspect. With Jon Welsh in reserve, we look well-placed to have a competitive front-row for some time.

Fordy's throwing-in was mostly good, with only a hint of yips in the gale of Newcastle. He continues to show phenomenal work-rate around the pitch tho, whether carrying, tackling or hitting rucks. Lawson provides reasonable cover for the time being, but I'd love to see Pat MacArthur push on and challenge.

In the boiler-room, we are blessed to have Richie Gray - he didn't stand out as much, but he does so much right for a big man and seldom feics up. With Hamilton, Ryder and Kellock alongside him, we should be ok, and we should look to encourage the development of Grant Gilchrist, Nick Campbell and Gray jnr.

Our wealth of talent in the backrow is strong when we look at choppers and fetchers, but weak in terms of ball-carrying threats. How we missed Dave Denton on this tour, and I can only hope that Jonnie Beattie rediscovers himself in Montpellier, and that Ryan Wilson and Stuart McInally continue to develop. John Barclay in my view needs to concentrate on getting his 7 shirt back, which will be a massive challenge given Rosco's display and Fusaro coming thru for the Weegies. Kelly Brown is the most complete blindside that we have, but Stroks and young Rob Harley offer plenty too. Sorry Richie Vernon, you aren't of the requisite standard for test games.

At halfback, it seems that whoever starts at scrum-half is outplayed by the man that replaces him around the 50-60 minute mark, whether its Cus or Mike Blair. Is it worth having another look at Rory Lawson? I'm not sure. Ultimately, we know that wee Greig must evolve back to 9, but for the time being he's doing the business at 10. His decision-making, confidence and range of skills will keep us afloat for now, altho I'm not convinced he is the long-term option at 10, and we know that bigger teams will target his defensive channel (even tho he lacks nothing in the courage department). Wee Duncy/Meatball didn't get the gametime we might have liked, but he'll hopefully have benefited massively from the experience. His time will come, and hopefully Rhubarb Jackson will likewise push on from being a nearly-man this season. Harry Leonard picked himself up at the JWC after a disastrous opening game, and is beginning to look the part - he must be carefully nurtured too.

In the centres, we have found a decent 12, a non-crash-ball distributor - not the finished article, but at least with the raw goods to head in that direction. We'll need back-up to Matt Scott and I suspect we might see more of Alex Dunbar there for Glasgow, and I thought that Finn Russell had a superb final game against young Samoa. At 13, we have plenty of goo choices - NdL has shown that he can take his club form on to the international stage, so as long as he cuts out the brain-farts, I'm happy to see him there or thereabouts. Alex Grove and Joe Ansbro can both fill in perfectly adequately imo.

In our backthree, expectations for Hoggy pre-tour were never likely to be matched, but we know what he is capable of, and in the right backline, he'll come good, of that I have no doubt. MacVisser shows others how to score, and while his defence still needs work, he's a quality wing threequarter. At the moment, the other wing berth will be occupied by SLamont, wee Maxy or Ansbro, but I'd love to see Sean Maitland ripping it up in the navy blue 14 shirt.

As for captaincy, as much s I'm delighted to see Fordy's record recovering, I'm not convinced that he is the man for the job. Other names should be considered (Kelly B, wee Greig or Richie Gray).

Well played indeed, and well played to the SRU for sticking with Robo.

AR, has been somewhat vindicated by this set of reults. His monstrous selections in the 6N cannot be ignored though.

Selection is everything for Scotland, especially when we don't have the huge ammounts of talent at our disposal like England or Wales.

He picked the right guys in these games and they won matches for him. Had he picked the kind of team we are seeing playing in this summer series we might not have been white washed in the 6N.

It is encouraging to see who we have on paper and start t realize we have some depth these days.

A corner perhaps trully being turned now? Or is it another false dawn?

Spot on assessment ASBO. I can see Laidlaw being captain for the next world cup - he's just got such a determine attitude and such a cool head on him.

Agreed that Finn Russell looked really good for the under 20s. He's very slight however so will need a couple of years of development before he can cope with the big boys. He's got the skills though and it is easy to make someone strong - more difficult to do the other way round.

It is fantastic we got the 3 from 3, but I really don't think we can read much into it until the next 6N.

I think this will be the most high pressured 6N Scotland have ever had - we simply must deliver with 3 games at home on the trot, and the players we now have at our disposal. Robinson knows that if we don't - he's gone, and all the good work form this tour will be for nothing.

And I don't see why not. Injuries willing, the following team really should be aiming to win at least 3 games in the 6N

1 Grant
2 Ford
3 Murray
4 Gray
5 Hamilton
6 Brown
7 Rennie
8 Denton
9 Blair/Cusiter
10 Laidlaw
11 Visser
12 Scott
13 De Luca
14 Jones/Ansbro/Lamont/Evans/Brown
15 Hogg

ASBO - for managing to say all that without mentioning Mark Bennett I salute you!!

Agreed gents. Plenty optimism, a nice set of tangible results and some key individual performances.

I am concerned about the lack of depth at hooker and the lack of top class ball carrying ability at 8 behind Denton, but otherwise I think this tour answered a few key questions, particularly at loosehead and centre. I'm also concerned that we didn't actually play that well against Samoa and Fiji, despite the right selections. I still think we need to be more ambitious and creative in our backline moves, and give the opposition more to think about. Still, new coaching team, so that may come.

RDW - agree on the selection for the AIs, early season form permitting. That is certainly the nucleus of our team.

A player not yet mentioned above that in my view could enter the mix next season is Fraser MacKenzie. Big athletic lock that, and before injury was playing well at Sale. If he forges a compelling club combination with Richie Gray next season then we could be in business. Another is Tim Swinson. Got big expectations for him next season. Not a big Kellock fan. Never feel like I'm getting my money's worth at the highest level. Adequate, but no more than that.

Before this tour it seemed a very well chosen tour. Plenty of challenge but realistic as well. If Scotland had a 3 match series in SA, Australia or NZ, I'm not sure how the results would have gone. But it seemed that this tour set the bar high enough and Scotland did all that was required of it by winning all three. You can't do any better than that and it looks as though they have found a few vital players.

So what Scotland must do is reassess what they can build on and where they have done well. The big thing they must strive for is consistency. Their confidence will be justifiably high and that usually has an impact on confidence. So they must seek to build on this momentum as winning can become a habit just like losing.

Finally, Scotland are to be congratulated on the way they conducted themselves in the Islands. They behaved in an exemplary fashion and created a good name for themselves. Hopefully other unions can follow their example and I'd like to see NZ tour out there in the future.

Feel proud of your efforts but now the challenge is to build on this success otherwise it will count for nothing.

Problem with New Zealand (and all tier 1 nations) is that they are such a brand now that they go with the money. So they'd either have to give us their Autumn tests in Europe or a lucrative summer series against a NH team.

Nothing stopping them sending an A team during the same window though - not as if they're short of players!

Well the Junior Blacks used to play in the Pacific Cup. They are now defunct but it'd be nice to see them play there. If we can play the Barbarians we can play these guys.

How long does it take to fly from NZ to the pacific islands?

Anywhere from 3 to 6 hours depending on the island.

Do NZ do any warm up games at all before summer tours, Autumn internationals or the try nations? Would be a prime opportunity to go to one or two of the islands.

Problem is that there are so many games now it would be a problem fitting them in!

We have played Australia in Hong Kong before autumn series. I think that was misguided and hopefully now will be canned. Flying to the islands before or on the way back is not easily in terms of logistics. Like you say, it is a question of money and time.

funnyExiledScot wrote:ASBO - for managing to say all that without mentioning Mark Bennett I salute you!!

Agreed gents. Plenty optimism, a nice set of tangible results and some key individual performances.

I am concerned about the lack of depth at hooker and the lack of top class ball carrying ability at 8 behind Denton, but otherwise I think this tour answered a few key questions, particularly at loosehead and centre. I'm also concerned that we didn't actually play that well against Samoa and Fiji, despite the right selections. I still think we need to be more ambitious and creative in our backline moves, and give the opposition more to think about. Still, new coaching team, so that may come.

RDW - agree on the selection for the AIs, early season form permitting. That is certainly the nucleus of our team.

A player not yet mentioned above that in my view could enter the mix next season is Fraser MacKenzie. Big athletic lock that, and before injury was playing well at Sale. If he forges a compelling club combination with Richie Gray next season then we could be in business. Another is Tim Swinson. Got big expectations for him next season. Not a big Kellock fan. Never feel like I'm getting my money's worth at the highest level. Adequate, but no more than that.

I should also, of course, have commented on our restarts, which went from barely adequate against Oz (in tricky conditions) thru mediocre against Fiji, to downright awful versus Samoa.

And lastly, with Bennett soon to come to the fore, we're all saved!

Come the AIs, obviously we are somewhat reliant on other countries' results, but I am not sure that a win against Tonga alone will be sufficient to propel us into the top 8 for the beginning of December when the RWC seedings will be decided. Reckon we'll need a win against one of SA or NZ (neither remotely easy)

The Boks is certainly easier, although in itself a mount everst sized feat for Scotland.

Am I right i saying we have never beaten New Zealand.....ever?

We really need Argentina to get humped in every game of the rugby championship (any idea how they got on against France at the weekend?) and Ireland to get humped by everyone too. If Argentina beat any of the Tri-nations then they will be miles ahead of us.

We've never beaten New Zealand, ever! We did draw once....

RDW_Scotland wrote:We really need Argentina to get humped in every game of the rugby championship (any idea how they got on against France at the weekend?) and Ireland to get humped by everyone too. If Argentina beat any of the Tri-nations then they will be miles ahead of us.

Arge got pummelled by France

RuggerRadge2611 wrote:The Boks is certainly easier, although in itself a mount everst sized feat for Scotland.

Am I right i saying we have never beaten New Zealand.....ever?

Don't worry, you're in good company: Ireland, Argentina, Samoa, Fiji, Tonga, Italy, etc.

PS You can add England in the past 8 years and Wales in the past 40 to beef up the numbers.

kiakahaaotearoa wrote:

RuggerRadge2611 wrote:The Boks is certainly easier, although in itself a mount everst sized feat for Scotland.

Am I right i saying we have never beaten New Zealand.....ever?

Don't worry, you're in good company: Ireland, Argentina, Samoa, Fiji, Tonga, Italy, etc.

PS You can add England in the past 8 years and Wales in the past 40 to beef up the numbers.

Kia, it's probably easier to say that:
"the only international teams to beat NZ are: South Africa, Australia, [Edit] France [Edit], England (not in the last 9 years), the Lions (not in the last 19 years), Rhodesia (a long time ago), Wales (see Rhodesia)"

Good on you Kiwi. You missed out France. No point in dredging up those losses.

kiakahaaotearoa wrote:Good on you Kiwi. You missed out France. No point in dredging up those losses.

Funnily enough those words weren't my own in 1999 and 2007. Started with words around the letter d though.

Kiwireddevil wrote:

kiakahaaotearoa wrote:

RuggerRadge2611 wrote:The Boks is certainly easier, although in itself a mount everst sized feat for Scotland.

Am I right i saying we have never beaten New Zealand.....ever?

Don't worry, you're in good company: Ireland, Argentina, Samoa, Fiji, Tonga, Italy, etc.

PS You can add England in the past 8 years and Wales in the past 40 to beef up the numbers.

Kia, it's probably easier to say that:
"the only international teams to beat NZ are: South Africa, Australia, [Edit] France [Edit], England (not in the last 9 years), the Lions (not in the last 19 years), Rhodesia (a long time ago), Wales (see Rhodesia)"

But as Scotland just beat Fiji and Samoa, is that not the same thing as beating NZ

PS that is a joke

Not quite as bad as GC risky.... not far off though.

I think we could beat NZ someday, just not this team, but they'd have to be in a world cup because that's the only time they play with fear lol

Not against Scotland they do. You'd have to paint a rooster instead of a thistle on your shirts to scare us.

it's alright kia, we'll have Parks making a cameo appearance in the November tests, he's enough to scare all of your team. I say 100 points to Scotland and a hatrick of tries from Dan the man.

NeilyBroon wrote:it's alright kia, we'll have Parks making a cameo appearance in the November tests, he's enough to scare all of your team. I say 100 points to Scotland and a hatrick of tries from Dan the man.

What about Godman at inside as well, as well as a return from Danielli and Walker on the wing also Southwell at 15.

Our aim for the AIs is to beat South Africa and come out with some dignity against NZ. I know we can't necessarily always arrange it how we want, but playing everything in reverse (Tonga, SA, NZ) or at least playing SA, Tonga, NZ would make more sense. Playing NZ as our first international after the summer is a bit daft, even if it is at home.

SA will be wary ... but we've improved since last time anyway.

123456789 wrote:

NeilyBroon wrote:it's alright kia, we'll have Parks making a cameo appearance in the November tests, he's enough to scare all of your team. I say 100 points to Scotland and a hatrick of tries from Dan the man.

What about Godman at inside as well, as well as a return from Danielli and Walker on the wing also Southwell at 15.

You forgot Dewey at 13 and Morrison as utility cover on the bench. For all positions.

For me the wins are despite Robinson not bec ause of him

Scotland will not progress as they should with him at the hlem - too conservative, too cautious and clearly has favourite players.

He simply is not up to the task.

From yesterday's Hootsmon:

Scots inch forward on path to improvement

By IAIN MORRISON

THERE are some traditions that have survived the transformation into the professional era and, while Andy Robinson may not eat meat, he has nothing against knocking back a barrel or so of beer – if only in the absence of his favoured cider.

It is the final day of Scotland’s summer tour and the coach is looking remarkably good for a man who got to bed in the wee small hours but, then again, the sword of Damocles is no longer hanging over his head. With three wins under his belt and the feelgood factor returned to Scottish rugby following Saturday’s tour-ending 17-16 win over Samoa, Robinson must be sleeping better.

“Are you ever really comfortable as a head coach?” he asks with a smile. “It’s important as a coach never to assume anything. I enjoyed the Six Nations, the work we did together as a group but I obviously hated the results. This tour, right from the first day when we landed in Australia and walked along Coogee Bay to Bondi Beach, everything has worked very, very smoothly. We went for a walk at six in the morning. It’s just about what has been achieved throughout the tour, everyone has had enthusiasm for it.

“What I’m reminded about is that winning and losing in international rugby is about inches and you’ve got to be fighting for those inches to make sure that they stack up on your side. One of those inches yesterday was a conversion from Greig Laidlaw from the far touchline and into the wind. If he doesn’t kick that kick then we probably won’t be in a position to win that game and the beauty of rugby is that everybody has a part to play.”

For inches read millimetres, because Scotland have ridden their luck like a rodeo champion on this trip with almost every close call going their way. The weather in Newcastle ensured that the Wallaby Test was a battle of wills rather than skills which the Australians would almost certainly have won. In Fiji, the Scots showed real character not to disintegrate completely when the home side mounted that second-half fightback and the will to win, even when almost everyone had given them up for dead in Apia, was something to behold.

Critics can not have it both ways, bashing the team when they play well and lose (as against England) and bashing the team again when they play badly and win, as happened in the early hours of Saturday morning. Whatever disappointments emerged from the Samoan match – and credit to Scotland for making the trip in the first place – there were positives to take from this tour above and beyond the three wins and some IRB ranking points. The list of standout players includes some grizzled veterans alongside fresher faces.

“If you want to look at individual players, then Ryan Grant coming through was a positive,” said Robinson about the prop who has helped turn the scrum from a worry into a weapon. “You get players who get the opportunity but it’s about taking it. A lot of players have been given the opportunity for international rugby and not really taken it, not grabbed it. But I thought that Ryan in the three games did very well. For him to play the whole 80 minutes in every game was a big shift.”

“Also we had Matt Scott’s performances and Al Strokosch,” said Robinson, paying tribute to his choice as the player of the tour. “I’ve looked at the workrate and tackle statistics in all three games and Strokosch has headed them, but also his ability to get through the tackle and disrupt the opposition was exemplary. Also his ball carrying, he stood up and carried really well.

“And Matt really come through strongly on this trip. Who’d have thought six months ago that he’d be in the position he’s in? He had a great end to his Edinburgh season and then he’s come through and performed as well as he did on the tour, so you’ve got players that are just going to get better and better. There are three players who really stood out but also the reuniting of the spirit, the collective work throughout and the doggedness to win the games was very pleasing.”

The flip side of the coin, the area causing the coach to worry, is the fact that his side have yet to put together a rounded 80-minute Test match. Against Fiji, the Scots managed four tries but they fell off too many tackles when the game opened up. On Saturday, the defence was quick and aggressive but the attack was error strewn.

“Well, if you can’t catch the ball you aren’t going to see any attack,” was Robinson’s response to a day when too many players sported feet instead of hands.

Scotland now have options in the forwards, especially when the likes of Fraser McKenzie, Grant Gilchrist, Jim Hamilton and David Denton are considered, but there is still too little competition for places in the backline, with the possible exception of scrum-half. Scott and Nick De Luca were both occasionally excellent but they need rivalry to spur them on and it isn’t there.

Robinson points to several under-20 players coming through the ranks, Mark Bennett, Harry Leonard and Jamie Farndale were all name-checked and, given where Scott was six months ago, who is to say that one or more of the above won’t be in the mix come November? For all the heat and humidity, this South Seas trip will seem like a holiday compared to hosting New Zealand and South Africa on consecutive weekends at Murrayfield.

“You want to play against the best. That’s how you improve,” argues Robinson, despite knowing the All Blacks had just stuck 60 points past Ireland, a team that Scotland have beaten just twice in the last decade.

“After the New Zealand game two years ago, when we got a real hiding we improved the next week to beat a good South African side. We know that this South African side is going to be physical but you stand toe to toe with it. This New Zealand side is going to have a lot of rugby before we play it. It will be vital that we are at our very best as always.

“A sell-out crowd at Murrayfield on a Sunday come to watch Scotland do something that they have never done and beat New Zealand! Wouldn’t it be great to be a part of that team and that’s what the players should now be working on, when they return from holiday, to be in that team.”

Nobody said the life of a professional rugby player was supposed to be easy.

I actually believe that now would not be a bad time for Robinson to go - we know his failings (we witnessed them in their full glory during the RWC and the 6Ns), but he's managed to restore some of his credibility with this successful tour. But it's still not right, not by a long shot, let's be honest. So he can walk away with his head held high right now, and we can have someone come in that can take this group of young players and move them forward, which I'm not at all convinced that Robinson can do.

PS Highlight just for fES!

And a measured piece in the Herald:

Stairway to heaven?

by Stuart McAllister

IT was a tour that achieved everything that could have been expected of it: a clean sweep of wins and a redemption in the minds of the Scottish rugby-supporting public who had seen their team climb back from the depths of despair and at last show the fighting spirit they expect from the players.

And yet, as we packed suitcases and began the process of heading away from the Pacific Islands, that line from Milton about preferring to reign in hell than serve in heaven started bouncing around the brain and just would not go away. Perhaps after two remarkable weeks of tropical bliss, it really was a case of tropical Paradise Lost; but also it had been such a successful tour, simply because Scotland had found their level, and it is not among the sport's elite.

Accepted that knocking around the teams just outside the top eight in the world is not quite hell – it was more a case of big fish in a little pond rather than a little fish in a big pond – no matter how it is dressed up, Scotland's clean sweep was a minor triumph not a major breakthrough.

One reason for that is that any analysis of the tour has to take into account the nature of the opposition. This was not a full-on blast against a top-four side with all its top players giving their best. Yes, Australia were second in the world rankings, but Fiji were 16th at the time they faced Scotland and Samoa ninth.

You have also got to take into account that Australia were fitting Scotland in between a weekend of Super Rugby and their match against Wales a few days later. They had most of their big-name players who were not injured in the side but they also had five new caps and half the team changed when Wales came calling. On top of that, even Andy Robinson, Scotland's head coach, admitted that the weather played into Scotland's hands, though you would like to believe that they would have done well against that Australia selection even on a dry night.

Fiji are a team in transition. They felt they lost their rugby soul when all their best players left for Europe and started to bring that power-orientated game back to the Islands; now they are rediscovering the joys of doing it the Fiji way, improvised, gloriously uncertain and devastatingly unpredictable. They will get better, but remember Scotland went into that game with 408 caps spread across the team; Fiji had 115.

Finally, Samoa, the final Test and the biggest challenge in all senses of the phrase. It also produced Scotland's best win, but one achieved against the run of play. Scotland showed tremendous spirit in grabbing that last try, but the home side were within two minutes of holding out for a memorable win. It was taking cutting it fine to the highest level.

Suggesting that the results, fine though they were, fell short of evidence of a sudden transformation in Scotland's fortunes, is not a controversial statement. Robinson said much the same thing in his own way.

He does not do post-tour euphoria and, while his measured analysis after this one focused strongly on the spirit, the revival of key players such as Alasdair Strokosch and Euan Murray, the uncorking of young talent like Matt Scott – his contribution to the Samoa win was almost as crucial as Mike Blair's – and the rebuilding of the management team around him, he was also realistic about the problems and the challenges ahead.

New Zealand, he acknowledged, will be the acid test, when they arrive at Murrayfield as Scotland's next opponents. If Scotland handle the way they did in the second half in Fiji and for the first 70 minutes in Samoa, they will be taken apart; ditto, if they are as poor at protecting possession.

Restarts cost Scotland dear in the World Cup and are still a major issue to the extent that they turned down a kick at goal against Samoa that would have made it a three-point game simply because they had no faith in their own ability to catch the kick-off and mount another attack.

It's an issue that is driving Robinson to distraction, but the root is in a fundamental flaw among the players who struggle to catch the high ball under pressure. That's an issue for the club coaches more than the national team ones.

Of course, Scotland will continue to manage great one-off wins, but the evidence of this tour is that their natural level is still around the bottom end of the world's top 10, which may not be hell, but it is certainly not rugby heaven, either. They still have some way to go get there.