Scotland - World Cup General Thread

[Majestic83]

First topic message reminder :

This should serve as our general moaning thread between World Cup matches.

     
SCOTLAND V JAPAN
23 September 2015
Kingsholm - Gloucester

    
SCOTLAND v USA
27 September 2015
Elland Road - Leeds

          
SCOTLAND v SOUTH AFRICA
03 October 2015
St James Park - Newcastle

      
SCOTLAND v SAMOA
10 October 2015
St James Park - Newcastle                                       

SCOTLAND SQUAD FOR THE 2015 RUGBY WORLD CUP:

Props: Al Dickinson, Ryan Grant, Gordon Reid, Willem Nel, Jon Welsh

Hooker: Fraser Brown, Ross Ford, Stuart McInally

Lock: Grant Gilchrist, Richie Gray, Jonny Gray and Tim Swinson

Loose Forward: David Denton, John Hardie, Josh Strauss, Alasdair Strokosch and Ryan Wilson

Scrum Halves: Greig Laidlaw (captain), Sam Hidalgo-Clyne, Henry Pyrgos

Fly Half: Finn Russell, Duncan Weir

Centre: Mark Bennett, Peter Horne, Matt Scott and Richie Vernon

Wing: Sean Lamont, Sean Maitland, Tommy Seymour and Tim Visser

Full Back: Stuart Hogg

[funnyExiledScot]

Seymour's issue is different. Visser can be passive, that's true, whereas Seymour runs around like a drunk Spaniel, bolting out of the defensive line and leaving caps all over the place. Watch the France game again, Seymour was all over the shop, whereas at the very least Visser holds his position and uses the touchline as the proverbial extra defender.

I'm not defending Visser. The low point against France was his challenge on Spedding for the high ball. Darcey Bussell would have been proud. He had a dreadful game in attack as well. He's supposed to be the guy who tracks play to be on the shoulder of the man making the break. Countless times Bennett made yards with no-one to offload to. Other than one dash from a kick-off I can't think of a single positive contribution from Visser in that match.

Still, he gets singled out too much. Seymour is no better in defence, and Lamont has his defensive flaws as well. Not shirking the tackle obviously, but his lack of pace could be horribly exposed in our Group, as our opponents have some of the fastest wingers on the circuit.

[R!skysports]

But there is the point

All our wingers have faults and we have to accept that - but to counter that, they have strengths

Lamont - passion, power
Seymour - pace, vision, try scoring and commitment
Visser - NOTHING - even his supposed strengths of being a finisher and on the shoulder have gone.

" I can't think of a single positive contribution from Visser in that match."

Your quote there is now the norm, rather than the exception - and has been all year

[funnyExiledScot]

But there is the point

All our wingers have faults and we have to accept that - but to counter that, they have strengths

Lamont - passion, power
Seymour - pace, vision, try scoring and commitment
Visser - NOTHING - even his supposed strengths of being a finisher and on the shoulder have gone.

" I can't think of a single positive contribution from Visser in that match."

Your quote there is now the norm, rather than the exception - and has been all year

...not really. He scored two tries in the prior match.

[RDW]

Sounds like Dunbar wasn't even close to being fit for any of the warm up games - sounds like he's a few weeks off from being fit for Glasgow too.

INJURED Scotland centre Alex Dunbar still hopes to be available for the Rugby World Cup squad if needed at a later date but is not yet ready for a return to the pitch.

The Glasgow Warrior, who ruptured knee ligaments in the build-up to this year’s Calcutta Cup match, ran out of time in his race to be fit for the 31-man squad, which was named by Scotland coach Vern Cotter a week ago. He had even spent three weeks at a top rehabilitation centre in the United States in a bid to speed up his recovery but it was not to be.

The 25-year-old former Annan and Selkirk player is now back with his club focusing on playing again in the Guinness Pro12 but he will not be involved when Connacht visit Scotstoun on Friday night.

He confirmed: “Sadly not. I came back doing a bit of running but I had a bit of swelling come back into it so I’ve had to ease back slightly which is frustrating. But it’s still going well. We’re just going to have to wait and see.”

Asked if he still hoped he could play a part in the World Cup if needed due to injuries, he replied: “Yes but I’m just back at Glasgow now and focusing on getting back fit and playing hopefully and enjoying it.”

Dunbar is clearly dismayed to have missed out on selection for the global extravaganza, which gets under way in England a week on Friday. But he is taking a philosophical approach to the situation.

“It was a little bit disappointing but obviously I knew it was going to be a push,” he said. “It was just frustrating that I came so close and it just wasn’t quite right. But I’d rather take an extra couple of weeks than go out there undercooked and do it again. It’s getting there but I need to get the swelling in the joint down.”

[Fanster]

Have to say, without offending anyone, Scotland deciding to not take a draw in Paris was as niaive as it gets!

[Eejit]

Have to say, without offending anyone, Scotland deciding to not take a draw in Paris was as niaive as it gets!

Sir, I am offended.

Prepare to dual.

[Fanster]

Have to say, without offending anyone, Scotland deciding to not take a draw in Paris was as niaive as it gets!

Sir, I am offended.

Prepare to dual.

[EWT Spoons]

Have to say, without offending anyone, Scotland deciding to not take a draw in Paris was as niaive as it gets!

No offense taken, but can I ask why?

The way I see it, a draw in a meaningless game would mean nothing. Essentially we knew we could draw the game, the chances of Laidlaw missing that kick were slim to none, and in a competitive game 3pts every time and take the draw, but where was the risk in going for the win? Yes we didn't get a draw, but as I say the players know they could have done that, granted the score board/result doesn't reflect it but, the players will know it would have been near guaranteed had they kicked. However going for the win would have meant so much more to them had it panned out.

It was the right call, nothing naive about it, at least as far as I'm concerned.

[RDW]

Also let's not remember that it was a golden opportunity to get our first win in Paris in 16 years...

[IanBru]

Yes absolutely, the right call, and I'd have done the same in the circumstances.

If it had been a championship match... I'd probably take the points.
If it had been a championship match where Scotland needed the win... I'd go for the win.

I'm curious about the use of the word 'naive' - could you explain?

[R!skysports]

Have to say, without offending anyone, Scotland deciding to not take a draw in Paris was as niaive as it gets!

100% AGREE


We have stocked up on narrow losses - we do not need another one

A draw would have been idea - or even a narrow win

A narrow loss means we have not managed to turn any corner, and teams will still know we fold under pressure - as we do fold under pressure - and will know they can beat us in the head - because they CAN beat us in the head

One step sideways so far

On the day, I think certain areas went well - but for large portions of that game, we were under the cosh and if it was not for some dodgy passing by the French (yes we had one too), they would likely have been far and away from us quite early on. -

Positives
- our scrum looking strong and almost a weapon
- No injuries
- Maitland looked like he is ready to go - and a few games more will sharpen him up
- Gray Snr looked good
- Laidlaw was not incompetent
- Russel looks the real deal


Weaknesses

-Line out - shocking - again - and not Fords fault - all the lost ones fell out of hands after they had caught them - basics basics basics
- Headless chicken and white line fever - again
- Basics letting us down - again
- We were outplayed for most of the match - we had heroic defence - but we were outplayed again



- We lost - again

let me repeat

- We lost again -

I really can not take the amount of positives that others are getting. We have a losing mentality and continue to impress on our inability to win - or even draw matches. It is a worry

We SHOULD have taken that draw - as a plucky loss does nothing for us.

We all KNEW we would never score a try from the penalty - we never have, and until we start winning never will - I WILL EMPHASIS - WE ALL KNEW WE WOULD NOT SCORE

We have enough plucky, could have, should have from the last 10 years - they taught us nothing - we went in losing again a close match - getting nothing from it - again

It is all exactly the same c r ap we have seen for too many year

Played well (in parts) but lost

I am completely fed up looking for scraps to be positive again - we lost - there are few positives

We go into a world cup winning against one poor team all year

I know I am negative, but I sometimes think I am the only one not seeing the positive shadows as real credentials

[funnyExiledScot]

I didn't know that Scotland wouldn't score, and I'm delighted to see that the Scottish players didn't simply accept that they wouldn't be able to cross the try line. I actually think your argument is self-defeating. How will we ever learn to win these games if we don't even try? What we do know is that Laidlaw can kick those 3 points. It's taking the draw that would have taught us nothing.

Here's a question that was bothering me - presumably we could have taken the scrum rather than the tap, or does that signal the end of the game? The scrum was solid and it would have tied in their forwards, plus we had Denton back on. Spedding and Bastereud are both solid and powerful, but both are slow off the mark. Not sure if it was an option, but certainly one to consider if so. The problem with the tap is that it was slow, and France had the opportunity to form a defensive line. Difficult to punch through in that scenario, despite us putting forward a pretty decent effort.

If it was the 6 Nations, with points on offer, I would have taken the kick. This was a World Cup warm-up game, and I'm pleased the players had the confidence to go for the win. Having confidence in our abilities is crucial. The sort of defeatist backward looking attitude on offer from Mr Ralph Risk Esq. is not how Scotland are going to progress as a rugby team.

[RDW]

We would have been allowed to scrum, but given how much of a lottery they are it would have presented a risk.

[EWT Spoons]

I didn't know that Scotland wouldn't score, and I'm delighted to see that the Scottish players didn't simply accept that they wouldn't be able to cross the try line. I actually think your argument is self-defeating. How will we ever learn to win these games if we don't even try? What we do know is that Laidlaw can kick those 3 points. It's taking the draw that would have taught us nothing.

100% agree with this.

[funnyExiledScot]

We would have been allowed to scrum, but given how much of a lottery they are it would have presented a risk.

True, certainly a lottery, but given how solid we had been against the French attacking scrums (without Denton), I do wonder whether it would have been the option more likely to result in a try. Still, against that option there's the fact that Brown would have needed to hook the ball, which doesn't help the attacking scrum with stability.

I'm coming at it from the point of keeping their forwards occupied. That's exactly how they managed to score - a set piece move. We needed to get the likes of Dusatoir, Nyanga and Guirado out of the defensive equation. Given the fact that we didn't manage to score with the tap, I wonder whether that's an option they'd consider next time.

[R!skysports]

While I seem to be alone in feeling that the decision was wrong I still stand by it

What we (and others learnt) is

we can not win close matches
We will still have doubt in our heads when it comes to the crunch
We will have to explain to ourselves (and others) that we could have / should have rather than we did

And we lost again

The draw for me would have been such a boost. You could see how deflated the players were after, as they felt the had blown another game (that of course is my opinion)

THAT is the damage that needs to be undone, and a draw would have been a step in that direction

[EWT Spoons]

While I seem to be alone in feeling that the decision was wrong I still stand by it

What we (and others learnt) is

we can not win close matches
We will still have doubt in our heads when it comes to the crunch
We will have to explain to ourselves (and others) that we could have / should have rather than we did

And we lost again

The draw for me would have been such a boost. You could see how deflated the players were after, as they felt the had blown another game (that of course is my opinion)

THAT is the damage that needs to be undone, and a draw would have been a step in that direction

Just to pick up on your points:

"we can not win close matches" - Your suggestion though seems to be that we don't try and win matches.  You can't have it both ways, you can't want us to win but then complain when we try and win.

"We will still have doubt in our heads when it comes to the crunch"- I have no idea what you are getting at here, if we had doubts we wouldn't have gone for the win.

"We will have to explain to ourselves (and others) that we could have / should have rather than we did" - No we don't.  As you say yourself, you are in the minority, most others are happy we tried to win the game.

Also I would fully expect the players to look deflated, we were within a baw hair of winning that game, if they looked delighted then we should worry.  I doubt a draw would have made much difference, a win however (like we tried to get) would have been huge for them.

[R!skysports]

While I seem to be alone in feeling that the decision was wrong I still stand by it

What we (and others learnt) is

we can not win close matches
We will still have doubt in our heads when it comes to the crunch
We will have to explain to ourselves (and others) that we could have / should have rather than we did

And we lost again

The draw for me would have been such a boost. You could see how deflated the players were after, as they felt the had blown another game (that of course is my opinion)

THAT is the damage that needs to be undone, and a draw would have been a step in that direction

Just to pick up on your points:

"we can not win close matches" - Your suggestion though seems to be that we don't try and win matches.  You can't have it both ways, you can't want us to win but then complain when we try and win.

"We will still have doubt in our heads when it comes to the crunch"- I have no idea what you are getting at here, if we had doubts we wouldn't have gone for the win.

"We will have to explain to ourselves (and others) that we could have / should have rather than we did" - No we don't.  As you say yourself, you are in the minority, most others are happy we tried to win the game.

Also I would fully expect the players to look deflated, we were within a baw hair of winning that game, if they looked delighted then we should worry.  I doubt a draw would have made much difference, a win however (like we tried to get) would have been huge for them.

Just to pick up on your points that were picking up on my points:

"we can not win close matches" - Your suggestion though seems to be that we don't try and win matches.  You can't have it both ways, you can't want us to win but then complain when we try and win. -Yes, i can - I can look at making progress - and developing confidence and boosting our focus - I think the right STEP would be to take a moral boosting draw - we so often try to run before we can walk - and c ck it up (like so many of our white line fever passes) - we look panicked at too many times, and now we have lost again - we STILL are not closer to the line - a draw would have been a start

"We will still have doubt in our heads when it comes to the crunch"- I have no idea what you are getting at here, if we had doubts we wouldn't have gone for the win. - We went for a win, in the wrong way - we panicked and ran at a set defence - we seems to panic our decisions too often

"We will have to explain to ourselves (and others) that we could have / should have rather than we did" - No we don't.  As you say yourself, you are in the minority, most others are happy we tried to win the game. - fair enough - i will sit down

Also I would fully expect the players to look deflated, we were within a baw hair of winning that game, if they looked delighted then we should worry.  I doubt a draw would have made much difference, a win however (like we tried to get) would have been huge for them - I disagree - a draw would have been huge - another close lose - is the stauts quo - and we have been there for years. Look what a few close loses did in the 6 nations. We fell apart due to lack of confidence - close loses for this team are toxic

Anyway, i stand alone in how I see the phycological affect of this

Roll on the world cup and my drunken celebrations of our victories

(PS - I am actaully quite happy with a lot of our play, our passion - just hope we are not going down a path we have been before)

[highland_scot]

We're all doomed! Doomed, I tell you!

Think we should just make like (whispers) The Welsh and record it as a moral victory anyway...

I think pushing for the try was the right choice - it's a nothing match, the players know that they would have a draw in the bag if they went for the posts, but went for the win anyway. Sure, in a competitive game they would take the points. If the clock wasn't dead then yes, take the points and come back.

Thing is we'd made a few good breaks in the previous couple of minutes - one of those (as Maitland made) with a decent player on the shoulder rather than Stroker and it would be a win. No issue at all with that.

For me, 2 key moments were Scott's mispass which at least didn't gift the French an interception try, and the overthrown lineout after holding on for dear life at the scrum. Astounded that, with a new hooker and new lock on the pitch, and your tall no.8 in the bin, you would go for the glory ball to the tail. Just go to the front, secure the ball, and work from there. Saying that, Szwarsevski read the ball to the tail beautifully.

[funnyExiledScot]

The positive thing about that line-out mishap is that it happened at a crucial point in a warm-up game, and not at the World Cup itself. Cotter and co will have noted that and should hopefully now be working on a solution. Better to spot the issue at the dress rehearsal than at the big show.

As for the Scott mistake, I think he's still a bit rusty after the long lay off. He just looked a little off the pace all game. He should start against Japan and get time off the bench against the USA. The solution for Scott is game time.

[Manky-Flanker]

[quote="funnyExiledScot"

As for the Scott mistake, I think he's still a bit rusty after the long lay off. He just looked a little off the pace all game. He should start against Japan and get time off the bench against the USA. The solution for Scott is game time.[/quote]

While I rate Scott as a player, does anyone else share the concern that he has not consistently reached his potential, much like J Beattie who had a great patch that he never seemed to reach again for club or country?
It's a concern that always rears its ugly head when we start looking to explain dips in form, such as above 'He's just a bit rusty'. In the 6N he wasn't 'fully fit', or before that he's being played out of position so not getting the chance to shine... etc

I'm generally an optimist, and really want Scott to have a stonking world cup, but I can't shake this nagging feeling that he might go the way of Beattie. Thoughts?

[RDW]

When Scott was fully fit and had a consistent run of game under him – the HK run season leading up to the summer tour of Samoa and Fiji – he was outstanding. I even think he was very unlucky not to be called up to the Lions tour as injury replacement – he was certainly playing much better than Barritt or Tweelvestrees but they were picked because the coaches knew what to expect of them.

The problem is that since then he’s had several injuries, culminating in an extended period out with a shoulder injury.

Unfortunately for him I therefore put him in the Ross Rennie category as opposed to the Johnnie Beattie one.

He does seem to have finally sorted his shoulder problems so hopefully the fitness issue will be put to bed. He just needs a run of games now and hopefully we’ll see him back to his best. I think he’s generally done well in the warm up games, high profile errors aside!

He’s also only 24 FFS – plenty time yet!

[funnyExiledScot]

Agree with RDW on this, plenty more miles on the clock for Scott provided he stays fit (thus the Rennie comparison). He was singled out by Gatland ahead of the last Lions tour as a player they looked at closely and was unlucky not to be called up.

He's in a good place to make a real impact on this World Cup.

[123456789]

The thing for me is he's not had a run out at 12 for years, I think 2013 was the last time I remember him playing there regularly for club and country. Solomons insists on playing him at 12 and Scott Johnson told him he was Lomu, which is wrong. Lomu was a winger/ outside centre who grew into a playmaker, Matt Scott is the opposite. Alex Ferguson always told the story of how at least once a season he had to remind Giggs what he was good at, running and dribbling with the ball at the opposition, someone needs to do the same with Matt Scott, he got into the side as a playmaking 12 and now seems to want to be a crash ball player, of course every centre needs to bulk up but it's not he answer, arguably Brian O'Driscoll's best season was 2009 which came after a decision to spend less time in the gym and thus lose weight in the process instead we've had coaches telling him to be a different type of player to what he is. At one stage people spoke about him being the long term answer at 10, that is unimaginable now.

[flyhalffactory]

The thing for me is he's not had a run out at 12 for years, I think 2013 was the last time I remember him playing there regularly for club and country. Solomons insists on playing him at 12 and Scott Johnson told him he was Lomu, which is wrong. Lomu was a winger/ outside centre who grew into a playmaker, Matt Scott is the opposite. Alex Ferguson always told the story of how at least once a season he had to remind Giggs what he was good at, running and dribbling with the ball at the opposition, someone needs to do the same with Matt Scott, he got into the side as a playmaking 12 and now seems to want to be a crash ball player, of course every centre needs to bulk up but it's not he answer, arguably Brian O'Driscoll's best season was 2009 which came after a decision to spend less time in the gym and thus lose weight in the process instead we've had coaches telling him to be a different type of player to what he is. At one stage people spoke about him being the long term answer at 10, that is unimaginable now.

Spot on.

Matt has never been the quickest but with the added bulk has reduced that average speed even more, and he is not naturally a bulky barnstorming centre ala Dunbar, so play to his strengths; great moments of decision making, mixing the game up, and two good kicking pegs. With Russell who is no slouch and able to make much more space and Bennetts direct running he have never had a better time to play to his strength.

[Imperialbigdave]

Scottys best form has always come at times when he looks a bit leaner. Hes never been a speedster, but has good acceleration and agility. His debut season, he was a twig back then compared to now and the summer tour of 2013 and subsequent 2013/2014 season stand out for me as his best. In those periods, it was often off bad ball that he was producing moments of magic, beating the line of defence when he had no right to, because he had a bit more agility than he currently does. Dont get me wrong, he needs a bit of bulk, but like others have said, I remember Scott Johnson talking about wanting to beef him up to Nonu size, which is just ludicrous, and I fear Matt may have fallen for it going by the beefcake physique hes got now.

All this being said... 3 or 4 years ago, we wouldnt be complaining about that pass, because we wouldnt have expected any better from the players at our disposal. It would be normal service. I think it says something that were dissapointed by it, because we know he can do better.

[GLove39]

So I know Strauss doesn't 'become' Scottish just quite yet, but surely that shouldn't stop him sporting a bit of tartan!?

[NeilyBroon]

I think the best was seeing bvc in a kilt. With his angry face it actually quite suits him

[George Carlin]

Was there nobody who read the memo saying that there is actually an SRU tartan which everyone can wear at the same time? It's sewn into their bloody team shirts as a reminder. Looks quite good in photographs, that.

[jimbopip]

Samwise Hidalgo-Montoya; velvet jacket with silk hankie and dickie bow. The Luvvie's Luvvie. The tart's tart.

If the SRU ever decide to remake the Samsung adverts we know who can fill in for Jack Whitehall.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=azDtIqe-zzE

[Eejit]

Hold the phone, where can a gent of distinction like myself get a pair of tartan pantaloons like Mr. S Maitland there?

I want to spend the weekend looking like I'm on a golfing holiday.

[EWT Spoons]

7 DAYS!!!  Only 1 week to go.

Not that I'm excited but I think I've wet myself a little.

[jimbopip]

Hold the phone, where can a gent of distinction like myself get a pair of tartan pantaloons like Mr. S Maitland there?

I want to spend the weekend looking like I'm on a golfing holiday.

Eejit, they cut up an old pair of Doddie Weir's breeks to make the kilts and trews for the entire squad. There was some leftover material but RDW bought it and was last seen making a marquee for his back garden: apparently he is expecting visitors for the Pro !2 Final.

[TJ]

Having watched the France game again this morning I am hopeful that Scotland finally look like playing to their potential - (a top 8 team and challenging the big boys)

They looked to be playing a game plan they believed in. Key players look to be coming into fine form. We have some depth in most positions. We don't have any glaring weaknesses. The doomometer has not quite swung to " we will win the WC" but I feel the warmup has gone well overall and private Frazer has gone into hiding for the moment.

[funnyExiledScot]

The really positive thing from the France game was the intensity and physicality around the rucks and in the defensive line. France have a few massive ball carriers and, Bastareaud's swatting aside a couple of soap dodgers (Seymour and Wilson) as if they weren't there excepted, very little ground was given in defence.

I see Matt Taylor is out talking up Japan as a big threat to the Scotland defence. Fine politics, but there's a part of me that wants to hear that we're prepared to smash them, and anything less than a 30 point winning victory will be considered a failure.

I know, not very Scottish.

[VinceWLB]

Census Johnston called up by Samoa. Reckon he could be the difference between a win and a loss.

[RDW]

Interestingly I've seen other comments saying it weakens the team since he's replacing Mulipola.

Is he not getting on a bit?

[VinceWLB]

Mulipola is primarily a loosehead imo.

Census is a renowned tighthead with a lot of experience. It was Toulouse's pressure on him that caused him not to be in the squad in the first place not his rugby abilities, he is still 1st choice with his club.

[RDW]

Dickinson does well against massive tightheads who no longer can rely on the hit - hopefully we can contain him.

[RDW]

Well I'm certainly relieved we're not going to have to deal with this guy! Looks like he's played a lot at tighthead too judging by the clips



https://youtu.be/H-LRqo990jo

[George Carlin]

Dickinson does well against massive tightheads who no longer can rely on the hit - hopefully we can contain him.

He is 20 stones and something of a Toulouse ligind, but he also 34 and so will be flagging in a high tempo matches.

Hopefully.

[jimbopip]

20 stone Samoans; bring them on. We have Dancer and Little Jonny and we should fear no-one.

As you can see I'm now entering the Wildly Optimistic phase. Oh dear, let the madness commence.

[nickj]

20 stone Samoans; bring them on. We have Dancer and Little Jonny and we should fear no-one.

As you can see I'm now entering the Wildly Optimistic phase. Oh dear, let the madness commence.

Me too mate. Me too. When will I ever learn!

[jimbopip]

You know the madness is upon you when you hear the voice in your head say,
" Strokes, made most tackles in the first Italy game. Well, that's all we want from a six anyway so maybe he is the right choice. Yeah, I'm sure he'll do a job for us."

[funnyExiledScot]

Census Johnston is big and powerful, but if we play the right sort of game and keep the ball moving he'll struggle to keep pace. Dickinson is technically very strong, and will go low on him, plus Dickinson is a workaholic in the loose. We know Samoa will be big, powerful and physical. They'll have some absolute specimens all over the park. But we have some dangerous players of our own, and should not be afraid of mixing it up.

Let's take this one game at a time, and focus on pumping Japan.

[NeilyBroon]

Census Johnston is big and powerful, but if we play the right sort of game and keep the ball moving he'll struggle to keep pace. Dickinson is technically very strong, and will go low on him, plus Dickinson is a workaholic in the loose. We know Samoa will be big, powerful and physical. They'll have some absolute specimens all over the park. But we have some dangerous players of our own, and should not be afraid of mixing it up.

Let's take this one game at a time, and focus on pumping Japan.

はい！ スコットランドにがんばって！

[alive555]

Census Johnston is big and powerful, but if we play the right sort of game and keep the ball moving he'll struggle to keep pace. Dickinson is technically very strong, and will go low on him, plus Dickinson is a workaholic in the loose. We know Samoa will be big, powerful and physical. They'll have some absolute specimens all over the park. But we have some dangerous players of our own, and should not be afraid of mixing it up.

Let's take this one game at a time, and focus on pumping Japan.

yes lets

[jimbopip]

but , also

[IanBru]

Private Browsing, reporting for duty, sir!

[RuggerRadge2611]

Census Johnston is big and powerful, but if we play the right sort of game and keep the ball moving he'll struggle to keep pace. Dickinson is technically very strong, and will go low on him, plus Dickinson is a workaholic in the loose. We know Samoa will be big, powerful and physical. They'll have some absolute specimens all over the park. But we have some dangerous players of our own, and should not be afraid of mixing it up.

Let's take this one game at a time, and focus on pumping Japan.

yes lets

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