Scotland World Cup look ahead and squad

RDW_Scotland wrote:In the modern age of laptops and HDMI cables I am become less bothered by which channel is showing the games.  I'd obviously prefer a channel I have, but it isn't overly difficult finding them.

Apart from the world cup on ITV - their coverage is always awful.  I remember them going to adverts and missing New Zealand performing their victory haka in 2011 - great broadcasting.

funnyExiledScot wrote:I have BT. Everyone round mine.....

GLove39 wrote:

funnyExiledScot wrote:I have BT. Everyone round mine.....

RuggerRadge2611 wrote:

GLove39 wrote:

funnyExiledScot wrote:I have BT. Everyone round mine.....

So do I. Why doesn't anyone want to watch it at mine?

Butler service + Caviar + Cuban Cigars + Bollinger Champagne + Swanky Stockbridge New Town terraced house

or mine... in Fife, with the heroine, tonic wine......

RDW_Scotland wrote:Fairly sure I spotted Richie Gray in the SRU's pictures of the squad heading out to the bootcamp in France - all of the injured players are staying at home so that suggests he's back to fitness, which is a big boost.

RDW_Scotland wrote:It was an article in the Scotsman that I can't find - the usual suspects from memory - Dunbar and Scott. There may have been others.

jimbopip wrote:

RDW_Scotland wrote:Fairly sure I spotted Richie Gray in the SRU's pictures of the squad heading out to the bootcamp in France - all of the injured players are staying at home so that suggests he's back to fitness, which is a big boost.

RDW, do you know who is staying at home? How serious are the injuries?

jimbopip wrote:

RDW_Scotland wrote:It was an article in the Scotsman that I can't find - the usual suspects from memory - Dunbar and Scott. There may have been others.

What wouldn't you give for one of them to be 100%?

By the way, RDW = Rebecca De Winter?

EWT Spoons wrote:To be fair he set his stall up to be a wallaby, he did everything he could to play for them. He's clearly got no real desire to play for Scotland other than now when it looks like his chances of a Oz career are fading fast.

For me, regardless of him stepping off the bench or not, he classes himself as Australian and i don't think he should play for us as he's effectively tied himself to them, despite them not (or potentially not) doing the same.

RDW_Scotland wrote:Sean Maitland and another left behind in Scotland - he hopes to be back in time for at least a couple of warm up games, but sounds like he's got a race against time on him

http://m.scotsman.com/sport/rugby/latest/maitland-working-on-a-way-back-into-the-big-games-1-3808263

RDW_Scotland wrote:Although you've got to question the credibility of the journalist who states him as having a 'handy scoring record' when he's only scored 3 tries in 15 tests!

123456789 wrote:I think the ruling regarding McKibbin could probably be appealed, although following Shingler gate I wouldn't be too confident.
As for whether he should be selected and how much he wants to play for Scotland it's an odd one, yes he was clearly desperate for an Australia cap but lets not pretend that Maitland, Strauss or Nel wouldn't have taken a New Zealand or South Africa if circumstances had allowed. It's probably not an issue to be honest Laidlaw has achieved deity status within the SRU, Hidalgo-Clyne is a top prospect and Cusiter is a truly quality player. As for Steele if he's better than McKibbin he'll start over him at London Irish. Although it is starting to get silly with imports, the prospect of Strauss, Du Preez and Denton in the back row is impressive but also when you think back-row is a historic area of strength for Scotland. We are starting to look in a place to be competitive for 2019. Anyone know how Adam Sinclair is doing in France?

George Carlin wrote:We really don't need McKibbon, do we? Is he demonstrably better than Sam Clyne? I doubt it.

On a related note, there is a young Chiefs full back in the SMH Super Rugby Team of the Week.

He is 20, his name is Damian MacKenzie, he comes from Invercargill and has a whiff of the ginger about him - all usually good indications of a Scottish heritage (sh!teloads of Scots in Dunedin and Invercargill).

He is getting strong reviews for a youngfeller and so would seem to be another to add to our 'watch' list:
http://www.smh.com.au/photogallery/rugby-union/union-news/super-rugby-team-of-the-week-20150621-ghtk1s.html
http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/super-rugby/10379686/Damian-McKenzie-signs-three-year-Chiefs-deal

Anyone know any more about him?

George Carlin wrote:We really don't need McKibbon, do we? Is he demonstrably better than Sam Clyne? I doubt it.

On a related note, there is a young Chiefs full back in the SMH Super Rugby Team of the Week.

He is 20, his name is Damian MacKenzie, he comes from Invercargill and has a whiff of the ginger about him - all usually good indications of a Scottish heritage (sh!teloads of Scots in Dunedin and Invercargill).

He is getting strong reviews for a youngfeller and so would seem to be another to add to our 'watch' list:
http://www.smh.com.au/photogallery/rugby-union/union-news/super-rugby-team-of-the-week-20150621-ghtk1s.html
http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/super-rugby/10379686/Damian-McKenzie-signs-three-year-Chiefs-deal

Anyone know any more about him?

nickj wrote:I hope this is a positive thing? http://www.planetrugby.com/story/0,25883,3551_56837,00.html
N

McGinley added: "There's another, crucial, rehabilitation phase coming up, with the view to getting him game-time before the world cup, providing we can stick to the recovery schedule."

jimbopip wrote:As ever cp, perspicacious and to the point.

cp10 wrote:

jimbopip wrote:As ever cp, perspicacious and to the point.

Think I need to find another topic to talk about. Most of my posts seem to be about this.

RDW_Scotland wrote:I've been thinking about the makeup of the squad, and I can't help but think taking a 3rd scrum half is a bit of a wasted squad place, and to a certain extent a 3rd hooker too.  Especially given the fact that a replacement is only a 1.5 hour train journey away - it's not as if they have to fly out to New Zealand again.

I appreciate that the first two games are close to each other, but a modern day 9 and 2 should be able to play pretty much 80 minutes so between the first two games each player gets a full game.

Only taking 2 of each would free up an extra player in the more attritional areas in the front row, 2nd row and back row, and in particular mean that we can have 6 props.

So how would that affect the squad? Below is a rough idea of the 31 man squad with me highlighting the difrence removing the 3rd hooker and 9 would make:

Props
Dickinson
Reid
Nel
Welsh
Grant
Cusak

Hooker
Ford
Brown/McInally
McInally/Brown

Lock
Gray
Gray
Gilchrist
Hamilton
Harley (covering backrow too)

Back row
Strauss
Ashe
Denton
Barclay
Cowan

Scrum half
Laidlaw
Hidalgo-Clyne
Pyrgos

Stand off
Russell

Centre
Scott
Dunbar
Bennett
Taylor

Back 3
Seymour
Hogg
Visser
Maitland

Utility backs
Horne
Tonks


Now the above squad is just for example - we've debated to death the makeup of the squad - but what do people think about the balance of that squad? Do we really need 6 props? Is that too many 2nd rows now? Do you gain much by dropping the 3rd hooker and 9?

On reflection I think it probably be more of a benefit keeping the 3rd hooker - especially given McInally could certainly cover the backrow in an emergency - but I think it could work only taking two 9s.

Riskysports wrote:

RDW_Scotland wrote:I've been thinking about the makeup of the squad, and I can't help but think taking a 3rd scrum half is a bit of a wasted squad place, and to a certain extent a 3rd hooker too.  Especially given the fact that a replacement is only a 1.5 hour train journey away - it's not as if they have to fly out to New Zealand again.

I appreciate that the first two games are close to each other, but a modern day 9 and 2 should be able to play pretty much 80 minutes so between the first two games each player gets a full game.

Only taking 2 of each would free up an extra player in the more attritional areas in the front row, 2nd row and back row, and in particular mean that we can have 6 props.

So how would that affect the squad? Below is a rough idea of the 31 man squad with me highlighting the difrence removing the 3rd hooker and 9 would make:

Props
Dickinson
Reid
Nel
Welsh
Grant
Cusak

Hooker
Ford
Brown/McInally
McInally/Brown

Lock
Gray
Gray
Gilchrist
Hamilton
Harley (covering backrow too)

Back row
Strauss
Ashe
Denton
Barclay
Cowan

Scrum half
Laidlaw
Hidalgo-Clyne
Pyrgos

Stand off
Russell

Centre
Scott
Dunbar
Bennett
Taylor

Back 3
Seymour
Hogg
Visser
Maitland

Utility backs
Horne
Tonks


Now the above squad is just for example - we've debated to death the makeup of the squad - but what do people think about the balance of that squad? Do we really need 6 props? Is that too many 2nd rows now? Do you gain much by dropping the 3rd hooker and 9?

On reflection I think it probably be more of a benefit keeping the 3rd hooker - especially given McInally could certainly cover the backrow in an emergency - but I think it could work only taking two 9s.

That would worry me - if we went with only 2 any number you likeand one of them was Laidlaw.....

funnyExiledScot wrote:I think we'll take three scrum halves and I can see the sense in doing so. It's a specialist position and giving Laidlaw and Hidalgo-Clyne a full game off (i.e. one game where they aren't on bench duty) could help keep them both fresher.

They will take three hookers as well, with McInally cover for the back row. I'm not sure they'll take two specialist 7s - I suspect it'll be one from Barclay, Watson and Cowan.

RDW_Scotland wrote:

funnyExiledScot wrote:I think we'll take three scrum halves and I can see the sense in doing so. It's a specialist position and giving Laidlaw and Hidalgo-Clyne a full game off (i.e. one game where they aren't on bench duty) could help keep them both fresher.

They will take three hookers as well, with McInally cover for the back row. I'm not sure they'll take two specialist 7s - I suspect it'll be one from Barclay, Watson and Cowan.

That's my point though - will these players really need a rest? Let's face it, we're not aiming for the final here so basically every game needs to be do or die with the strongest team available, other than the first two games in quick succession.

In my mind, Scrum half especially, they wouldn't be adversely affected if they were involved in every match squad - especially if they get 80 minutes each in the first two games.

Hooker is obviously more demanding so you can understand a 3rd hooker, but for the sake of giving 1 scrum half a rest for 1 games I just think it is a bit of a wasted squad place!

Riskysports wrote:Decided it would be worth putting a list of people I do not want in the team - some of this is based on reasonable criteria, some of it irrational - it is just for my own stress relief

This does not take into account if we have another person in the wings............ just is as it is...so there


NDL (An oldie but a great)
Laidlaw - one game respectable does not make up for his terrible terrible service
McMisser - I am less bothered than he can not tackle - it is that he runs away like a wet blouse from the tackle that makes me fume
Hamliton - an irish waving performance aside - too slow, too ponderous too many penalties - and my misses thinks he is attractive
Strokosch - why on why take the 47th best 6th in Scotland
SJ - rather than play above ground, I would like his left below ground with a hungry badger

This list may grow....

BBC Sport report wrote:SAMOA (14) 27
Tries: So'oialo, Tuilagi 2 Cons: So'oialo 3 Pens: So'oialo 2
SCOTLAND (9) 17
Tries: Lamont Pens: Laidlaw 4
Samoa beat Scotland for the first time as the powerful Alesana Tuilagi ran in two tries at King's Park in Durban.
Samoa started strongly with James So'oialo and Tuilagi touching down inside 12 minutes as a youthful Scottish side fell off tackles.
Greig Laidlaw kicked Scotland back into the game and a Sean Lamont try had the men in blue ahead briefly.
But Tuilagi had the final say, breaking through for a score as the Scots failed to make their possession count.
Samoa defended well in the second half but were given a huge helping hand by Scotland's poor decision-making and a remarkable 19 handling errors from Scott Johnson's team.
Scotland had won the last two meetings between the nations with last-minute kicks and can have no complaints about this loss after such an uninspired performance.
Samoa caused the Scots all sorts of problems in the opening exchanges, with their change of angles and quick offloading.
The Pacific Islanders went ahead when a swift passing move started deep in their half and ended with So'oialo going over with ease in the corner before adding the conversion.
Laidlaw narrowed the gap with a tough penalty kick only for the Samoans to cross the try-line again soon after.
The Scots were undone by slick handling across the field and 117-kilogram Tuilagi stormed over, with So'oialo, knocking over the extras.
It could have been much worse for Scotland as Alapati Leiua and Tusi Pisi went close to adding further tries.
Laidlaw fluffed a relatively easy penalty before atoning with a couple of successful efforts to leave Samoa 14-9 ahead at half-time.
Alesana Tuilagi scored two tries for Samoa
Tuilagi dives over for his second try at King's Park
Scotland made a bright start to the second half, with a Laidlaw penalty and a try in the corner from Lamont in a move that should have been finished off much earlier.
Tim Visser, wide open and right in front of the posts, was somehow missed with a wild pass after a turnover when Samoa messed up having won a scrum.
So'oialo levelled immediately with a penalty and the fearsome Tuilagi struck again, using his physique to flatten Peter Horne before touching down.
After converting the try, So'oialo kicked a second penalty to give the islanders a 10-point advantage with 10 minutes remaining.
Pat McArthur lasted just five minutes on his Scotland debut, with a knee injury forcing the hooker off, while captain Kelly Brown did not reappear after the interval after picking a leg knock.
Full-back Greig Tonks and centre Alex Dunbar were also making their first appearances, while stand-off Tom Heathcote and lock Grant Gilchrist won second caps.
There may have been a host of new faces but age-old Scottish problems resurfaced, with several scoring opportunities spurned.
Needing two scores in the closing stages, Scotland got within inches of the line, only to fumble in possession and there were more groans of frustration as a line-out in the corner resulted in a needless knock-on.
Samoa : Sooialo, Leiua, Williams, Leota, Tuilagi, T. Pisi, Sua, Mulipola, Avei, C. Johnston, F. Paulo, Leo, Treviranus, Lam, T. Tuifua. Replacements: Leiataua, Taulafo, J. Johnston, Lemalu, Poluleuligaga, Vaaulu, Mapusua, Faosiliva.
Scotland: Tonks, Lamont, Dunbar, Scott, Visser, Heathcote, Laidlaw, Dickinson, MacArthur, Murray, Gilchrist, Kellock, Strokosch, Brown (7) , Beattie. Replacements: Lawrie, Low, Cross, Hamilton, Wilson, Pyrgos, Horne, Taylor.
Referee: John Lacey (Ireland)

funnyExiledScot wrote:I think we'll take three scrum halves and I can see the sense in doing so. It's a specialist position and giving Laidlaw and Hidalgo-Clyne a full game off (i.e. one game where they aren't on bench duty) could help keep them both fresher.

They will take three hookers as well, with McInally cover for the back row. I'm not sure they'll take two specialist 7s - I suspect it'll be one from Barclay, Watson and Cowan.

jimbopip wrote:

funnyExiledScot wrote:I think we'll take three scrum halves and I can see the sense in doing so. It's a specialist position and giving Laidlaw and Hidalgo-Clyne a full game off (i.e. one game where they aren't on bench duty) could help keep them both fresher.

They will take three hookers as well, with McInally cover for the back row. I'm not sure they'll take two specialist 7s - I suspect it'll be one from Barclay, Watson and Cowan.

Fes, you may well be right here.

However, it raises raises one or two very awkward questions for the Numpties ar HQ.

Blake all the time and spondulicks we have invested in him NOT to put him in the squad?
Barclay recalling him over RabC's dead body must have elicited lots of tears before bedtime: why do that and then leave him out? (Fair enough it showed Rab C where he stands)
Cowan was one of Jamesie's Chosen Few in the 6Nations, he and Frodo were dreck but not so bad that Jamesie can bring himself to drop them.
Watson just seems to be there on account of playing out of his skin and looking like a good rugby player. Wtf is that about? Some mistake there surely.

funnyExiledScot wrote:

For what it's worth I would take 5 back row specialists - Strauss, Harley, Barclay, Denton and Ashe. I'd leave Cowan and Watson behind. Remember that McInally will go as a hooker and can cover back row (as can Fraser Brown in an emergency).

6 props - Nel, Cusack, Welsh, Reid, Grant and Dickinson
3 hookers - Ford, Brown and McInally
4 locks - Grayx2, Gilchrist and Hamilton
5 back row - Strauss, Harley, Barclay, Denton and Ashe
3 scrum halves - Laidlaw, H-C and Pyrgos
1 fly half - Russell
4 centres - Dunbar, Horne, Bennett and Taylor
3 wingers - Visser, Seymour and Maitland
1 full back - Hogg

1 utility player who can cover 10 and 15 - Tonks

I have of course assumed that Matt Scott (12) won't be fit, which feels an entirely safe assumption.