Scotland v Japan, 23 September

by **George Carlin** Thu 17 Sep 2015, 6:42 am

First topic message reminder :

Scotland v Japan, 23 September - Page 4 Scot_f10

SCOTLAND V JAPAN
23 September 2015
KO: 14:30 BST
Kingsholm, Gloucester

Live on [tbc]

Referee: John Lacey (Ireland)
Touch judges: George Clancy (Ireland) & Marius Mitrea (Italy)
Television match official: Shaun Veldsman (South Africa)

A. Head to Head

4 Played 4
4 Won 0
0 Drawn 0
0 Lost 4
221 Points 45

B. Recent Form

09 Nov 2013
Scotland 42 - 17 Japan
Murrayfield, Edinburgh

13 Nov 2004
Scotland 100 - 8 Japan
McDiarmid Park, Perth

12 Oct 2003
Scotland 32 - 11 Japan
Dairy Farmers Stadium, Townsville

05 Oct 1991
Scotland 47 - 9 Japan
Murrayfield, Edinburgh

C. Teams

SCOTLAND
Scotland v Japan, 23 September - Page 4 Kirsty10

Scotland v Japan, 23 September - Page 4 Kirsty10

15 Stuart Hogg
14 Tommy Seymour
13 Mark Bennett
12 Matt Scott
11 Sean Lamont
10 Finn Russell
09 Greig Laidlaw (c)

01 Ali Dickinson
02 Ross Ford
03 Willem Nel
04 Grant Gilchrist
05 Jonny Gray
06 Ryan Wilson
07 John Hardie
08 David Denton

16 Fraser Brown
17 Ryan Grant
18 Jon Welsh
19 Richie Gray
20 Joshua Strauss
21 Henry Pyrgos
22 Peter Horne
23 Sean Maitland

JAPAN
Scotland v Japan, 23 September - Page 4 Koshib10

Scotland v Japan, 23 September - Page 4 Koshib10

01- Keita Inagaki
02- Shota Horie
03- Hiroshi Yamashita
04- Luke Thompson
05- Justin Ives
06- Michael Leitch (captain)
07- Michael Broadhurst
08- Amanaki Mafi

09- Fumiaki Tanaka
10- Harumichi Tatekawa
11- Kenki Fukuoka
12- Yu Tamura
13- Male Sa'u
14- Kotaro Matsushima
15- Ayumu Goromaru

16- Takeshi Kizu
17- Masataka Mikami
18- Kensuke Hatakeyama
19- Shinya Makabe
20- Shoji Ito
21- Hendrik Tui
22- Atsushi Hiwasa
23- Karne Hesketh

by jimbopip Mon 21 Sep 2015, 1:33 pm

RuggerRadge2611 wrote:
jimbopip wrote:
RDW_Scotland wrote:A few points:

- that team is capable of getting the job done

- we say 'its not our first XV' but I suspect VC sees it as the best team we could put out for this game. Gray, Strauss and Maitland could be in the first team, but I don't think the players he's picked instead massively weaken the team against Japan

- I think benching Strauss is a good call. The back row is very competitive, and the thought of Strauss punching holes in a tired Japan defense is a good one. Look at the tries SA scored later on in the game

- in the space of a season Laidlaw has become a firm fans favorite at Gloucester. They've even painted a mural of him FFS! I He's obviously held in very high regard in the Scotland set up too.

RDW,

yes that team is capable of winning. The contentious selections; Batman for Bluto, Gilchrist for Richie and Schlong for NoMaits actually leave us able to step up a gear when the replacements come on.

Did they take photos of the Glaws players during home matches to use for the mural? Was Milk chosen because everyone else's was blurry and his was perfectly still?

I wonder who scored tries when we last played Japan...

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/24859611

Schlong and Seymour in the tries Very Happy

Interesting to note that both of Japan's tries started from our put in at the scrum. If we don't get that right on Wednesday we could be in real trouble.

by funnyExiledScot Mon 21 Sep 2015, 1:34 pm

RDW_Scotland wrote:A few points:

- that team is capable of getting the job done

- we say 'its not our first XV' but I suspect VC sees it as the best team we could put out for this game. Gray, Strauss and Maitland could be in the first team, but I don't think the players he's picked instead massively weaken the team against Japan

- I think benching Strauss is a good call. The back row is very competitive, and the thought of Strauss punching holes in a tired Japan defense is a good one. Look at the tries SA scored later on in the game

- in the space of a season Laidlaw has become a firm fans favorite at Gloucester. They've even painted a mural of him FFS! I He's obviously held in very high regard in the Scotland set up too.

I agree that there's little between Richie Gray and Grant Glichrist, but I think there's a pretty big gap between the other errors. Unless of course Cotter is deliberately weakening the 1st XV in order to use other players against USA (which to be fair is a tactic many on here support).

The thought of those quick and nimble Japanese backs attacking Sean Lamont really worries me.

by nickj Mon 21 Sep 2015, 1:41 pm

Just seen the team. Pretty strong. Slightly surprised not to see Strauss start, but hey ho. Also hope Hogg's ankle is ok. Very much looking forward to my trip to Gloucester now, although I was at the Amex and its certainly got a lot to live up to.

by alive555 Mon 21 Sep 2015, 2:11 pm

Scotland Team announcement

Scotland v Japan, 23 September - Page 4 25j8ug5

by alive555 Mon 21 Sep 2015, 2:12 pm

Japanese Team announcement

Scotland v Japan, 23 September - Page 4 2rpvcxt

by IanBru Mon 21 Sep 2015, 2:13 pm

Is Milk sitting on the chair? Someone forgot to bring a copy of Encyclopaedia Britannica for him to sit on...

by funnyExiledScot Mon 21 Sep 2015, 2:17 pm

IanBru wrote:Is Milk sitting on the chair? Someone forgot to bring a copy of Encyclopaedia Britannica for him to sit on...

by funnyExiledScot Mon 21 Sep 2015, 2:19 pm

It's really nice seeing all those young fresh faces covering Scottish rugby!

by 123456789 Mon 21 Sep 2015, 2:24 pm

Cotter has it spot on as far as I'm concerned. I think Lamont is the right decision, cross field kicks could be a brilliant asset against the Japanese as whilst tenacious they're hardly the biggest, a couple early on could really play on their minds and force them to defend a lot wider. I think it was the England World Cup team who always had a player on each wing to spread the defence and to give the cross kick option, once the defence is spread it will allow the likes of Bennett, Russell, Hogg and Seymour to play in the spaces and could also aid with preventing the Japanese teaming up on big players the way they did with South Africa. Laidlaw again, whilst in my opinion is our third best scrum-half, is probably the right decision, as has been mentioned he knows the pitch, the fans will know him and his "glacial" delivery, whilst infuriating, should give us the one thing that will guarantee victory and that is control. Strauss again is probably the right decision, the Japanese are very fit and very disciplined so a player who has yet to play a test is probably not right especially when you consider that him an Denton have a similar mindset and that won't necessarily give control at the breakdown, Wilson's, albeit limited, experience at openside should give should aid Hardie in that respect. The one decision I would question is that of Gilchrist and Gray, Gray's height in the line out could have been crucial but I suppose his laissez-faire approach to the breakdown could have been a hindrance. More importantly Laidlaw's kicking stats could be crucial, everyone seems to have forgotten the shots at goal the boks turned down at the start, if we kick our penalties and grab a drop goal or two and take the stint out of the game early on. For an experienced side the Boks allowed themselves to be undermined by arrogance and the World Cup frenzy and in doing so played into the hands of the Japanese and as soon as it became chaotic it played right into their hands. So if we keep it tight and keep the scoreboard ticking over in the first half with mauls, penalties and drop-goals and if we are around 10 points clear at half time then we should open up and play the champagne rugby for the bonus point.

by Tattie Scones RRN Mon 21 Sep 2015, 2:32 pm

For those going to the match, I have it on good authority that it's best to get to the ground at least 1.5 hours beforehand as it was mental for the Tonga v Georgia game.

by **RDW** Mon 21 Sep 2015, 2:34 pm

I wonder if we're going to see the following pre-determined subs:

50-60

Gray-Gilchrist
Strauss-Wilson

60-70

Front row
Horne-Scott
Maitland-Lamont

70-80 (if we're comfortable, earlier if we're chasing)
Pyrgos-Laidlaw

The idea being that, ahead or behind, those subs give us options to deal with the situation. It also means we can put out a competitive 23 against USA:

1 Reid
2 Brown
3 Welsh
4 Gray snr
5 Gilchrist
6 strokosh
7 Wilson
8 Strauss

9 Pyrgos
10 Weir
11 Visser
12 Horne
13 Vernon
14 Lamont
15 Maitland

Subs - Dickinson, Ford, Nel, Swinson, Denton, Hidalgo-Clyne, Russell, Seymour

by tigertattie Mon 21 Sep 2015, 2:35 pm

123456789 wrote:Wilson's, albeit limited, experience at openside should give should aid Hardie in that respect.

Ouch! Thats a right kick in the baws for Hardie if you think he'll take openside tips from Wilson!

by funnyExiledScot Mon 21 Sep 2015, 2:37 pm

Well Strauss will certainly need to come on. We don't want South Africa poaching him back.

I wonder whether Maitland will come on for Hogg, to allow Hogg to start against the USA.

I think it'll depend on the match situation. The subs may well depend on whether the game is done, or whether we need impact subs to get us over the line.

by 123456789 Mon 21 Sep 2015, 2:38 pm

tigertattie wrote:
123456789 wrote:Wilson's, albeit limited, experience at openside should give should aid Hardie in that respect.

Ouch! Thats a right kick in the baws for Hardie if you think he'll take openside tips from Wilson!

Not as in take tips rather ease the burden, in that Strauss is more of a carrier and as far as Denton is concerned, rucking is currently behind only learning to pass in his to do list. Whereas Wilson seems to be very much so a disciple of Vern and therefore one imagines he'll do exactly as he's told and that should hopefully include an awful lot of rucking.

by jimbopip Mon 21 Sep 2015, 2:41 pm

I like your team for the match against the USA, RDW.

BVC's decision to go with one 7 in the squad means that hardie plays every game or we play the Rab C Johnson way, "I've seen the future and it's three times eight; Bluto, Baldwin and Batman."

by majesticimperialman Mon 21 Sep 2015, 2:43 pm

Before the tournament i thought Scotland would have no problem in dealing with Japan.....But having watched the SA v Japan game, well i am not so sure any more.

Japan must surely be favourites for this game.

by fa0019 Mon 21 Sep 2015, 2:45 pm

Its a flash in the pan

This year their record was

Losses to Fiji, Tonga, USA
Wins to Uruguay, Georgia (just)

before they faced SA

They've not be setting the house on fire up to the tournament.

They played out of their skin and deserved the victory but SA played into their hands and gifted them the game time after time. Scotland won't play chicken with them, won't play under Japan's conditions.
I expect Scotland to beat them by 20.

by **RDW** Mon 21 Sep 2015, 2:46 pm

majesticimperialman wrote:Before the tournament i thought Scotland would have no problem in dealing with Japan.....But having watched the SA v Japan game, well i am not so sure any more.

Japan must surely be favourites for this game.

Not according to the bookies - as I posted earlier we're 1/6 favorites

by whocares Mon 21 Sep 2015, 2:51 pm

it's probaby a flash in the pan but Japan has been preparing for this event since april all a bit under the radar and I dont think their pre-worldcup record is that relevant .
that said, I Saw that Japan made 6 changes and will field a 100% kiwi back row and 2nd row.

by TightHEAD Mon 21 Sep 2015, 2:54 pm

Would Scotland have taken the kick at goal as the clock ran down vs SA?

by **Notch** Mon 21 Sep 2015, 2:54 pm

I still think Scotland are the obvious favourites maj. Firstly, the recovery time for Japan is set to be a massive factor. Every one of their players put everything into it- it was the game of their lives. To replicate that just four days later is a huge challenge. Secondly, Scotland are going to go out and try and play the game at a higher pace and will be able to cope with Japan doing the same. Thirdly, Scotland will be a lot less predictable in their approach than the Boks were.

But I really do believe it's not going to be a one-sided game. Scotland by 12, Japan to show enough to suggest they can potentially win against Samoa and the USA and keep their RWC dream alive.

by **RDW** Mon 21 Sep 2015, 2:55 pm

TightHEAD wrote:Would Scotland have taken the kick at goal as the clock ran down vs SA?

Depends on the exact scenario, but I'd say very likely - a draw against SA would have been an excellent result for us and would have opened up the pool.

by **Notch** Mon 21 Sep 2015, 2:56 pm

funnyExiledScot wrote:Well Strauss will certainly need to come on. We don't want South Africa poaching him back.

Is there a precedent for a team using an injury replacement to call up an uncapped player in another teams squad? Wink

by TightHEAD Mon 21 Sep 2015, 2:57 pm

I would have too, but this Japan team seem to be rewriting the rule book under Eddie Jones, I wouldn't write them off even if they only have 4 days to recover.

by alive555 Mon 21 Sep 2015, 3:05 pm

TightHEAD wrote:I would have too, but this Japan team seem to be rewriting the rule book under Eddie Jones, I wouldn't write them off even if they only have 4 days to recover.

Agreed.

they only got beaten last Nov by the Maori All Blacks by 2 points. Scrum dominance in that one too.

by **George Carlin** Mon 21 Sep 2015, 3:05 pm

Notch wrote:I still think Scotland are the obvious favourites maj.

No. No, you didn't girlfriend. picard

WHY would you suggest that we're favourites? You know what that does to us.

by funnyExiledScot Mon 21 Sep 2015, 3:07 pm

123456789 wrote:
tigertattie wrote:
123456789 wrote:Wilson's, albeit limited, experience at openside should give should aid Hardie in that respect.

Ouch! Thats a right kick in the baws for Hardie if you think he'll take openside tips from Wilson!

Not as in take tips rather ease the burden, in that Strauss is more of a carrier and as far as Denton is concerned, rucking is currently behind only learning to pass in his to do list. Whereas Wilson seems to be very much so a disciple of Vern and therefore one imagines he'll do exactly as he's told and that should hopefully include an awful lot of rucking.

Whilst Denton's passing skills are pretty awful, there's nothing wrong with his rucking/breakdown ability. The fact that he's usually carrying the ball is why you don't see him too often clearing out the ruck, but in defence he's actually very good over the ball. Edinburgh have used him at 6 many times (with Du Preez at 8) and he's pretty good.

I wouldn't have him at stand-off mind you. He'd be even worse than Duncan Weir!

by **George Carlin** Mon 21 Sep 2015, 3:07 pm

RDW_Scotland wrote:
TightHEAD wrote:Would Scotland have taken the kick at goal as the clock ran down vs SA?

Depends on the exact scenario, but I'd say very likely - a draw against SA would have been an excellent result for us and would have opened up the pool.

We definitely would have taken it. We might be jessies. But we wouldn't be losers.

The agony of choice.

by fa0019 Mon 21 Sep 2015, 3:08 pm

TightHEAD wrote:I would have too, but this Japan team seem to be rewriting the rule book under Eddie Jones, I wouldn't write them off even if they only have 4 days to recover.

but for Japan whats the point of taking a draw. The prize for them is beating the springboks. The prize for Scotland is always qualifying for the KO stages.

by whocares Mon 21 Sep 2015, 3:09 pm

since GC does not seem to be interested in updating his thread , here's Japan team :

Goromaru ; Matsushima, Sau, Tamura, Fukuoka ; Tatekawa, Tanaka ; Broadhurst, Mafi, Leitch (c) ; Ives, Thompson ; Yamashita, Horie, Inagaki.

subs : Kizu, Mikami, Hatakeyama, Makabe, Ito, Tui, Hiwaka, Hesketh.

by funnyExiledScot Mon 21 Sep 2015, 3:09 pm

fa0019 wrote:
TightHEAD wrote:I would have too, but this Japan team seem to be rewriting the rule book under Eddie Jones, I wouldn't write them off even if they only have 4 days to recover.

but for Japan whats the point of taking a draw. The prize for them is beating the springboks. The prize for Scotland is always qualifying for the KO stages.

Agreed.

by funnyExiledScot Mon 21 Sep 2015, 3:10 pm

whocares wrote:since GC does not seem to be interested in updating his thread , here's Japan team :

Goromaru ; Matsushima, Sau, Tamura, Fukuoka ; Tatekawa, Tanaka ; Broadhurst, Mafi, Leitch (c) ; Ives, Thompson ; Yamashita, Horie, Inagaki.

subs : Kizu, Mikami, Hatakeyama, Makabe, Ito, Tui, Hiwaka, Hesketh.

He's seriously lazy that guy. We've all wanted to reprimand him for not pulling out the proverbial finger. Thank you for saying it.

by flyhalffactory Mon 21 Sep 2015, 3:11 pm

I firmly believe that VC thinks that is his best 15 and I largely go along with that including Sclong in on the right wing.

Its a close call between Grant and Richey but obviously Cotter puts a lot into Gilchrists leadership skills in the breakdown area and his awareness around the park.

Major concerns over Seymours defence and Scotts speed (or the recent lack of it), Russell is used to a high tempo game at regional level with a quick inside centre or barnstorming crunching. I find it incredible saying this going into our first game of the WC2015 but Matty could be weak link in a fairly rapid back line, I would like to see Horne coming on around the 50th minute to see how the Russell/Horne/Bennett axis will work.

I think the Japan win has benefitted Scotland, it will have firmly given us a reality check but also presented us with a more options as before we would have been disappointed if we didn't get a BP win and maybe risked a bit too much. Now we have to firstly focus on the win, then ensure we don't risk injury and then if we are in the position then we will go for the BP. We also know if we get the BP then SA will have to put their first 15 out for Samoa who will also be looking to win against the Boks and will be matching them with their best side. Ouch!

by **George Carlin** Mon 21 Sep 2015, 3:11 pm

funnyExiledScot wrote:
whocares wrote:since GC does not seem to be interested in updating his thread , here's Japan team :

Goromaru ; Matsushima, Sau, Tamura, Fukuoka ; Tatekawa, Tanaka ; Broadhurst, Mafi, Leitch (c) ; Ives, Thompson ; Yamashita, Horie, Inagaki.

subs : Kizu, Mikami, Hatakeyama, Makabe, Ito, Tui, Hiwaka, Hesketh.

He's seriously lazy that guy. We've all wanted to reprimand him for not pulling out the proverbial finger. Thank you for saying it.

Scotland v Japan, 23 September - Page 4 Acigar10

by **RDW** Mon 21 Sep 2015, 3:12 pm

So what are the changes and how much does it (hopefully) weaken their team?

by **Notch** Mon 21 Sep 2015, 3:15 pm

George Carlin wrote:
Notch wrote:I still think Scotland are the obvious favourites maj.
No. No, you didn't girlfriend.

WHY would you suggest that we're favourites? You know what that does to us.

To reiterate, I only think Scotland are favourites for this game. I'll tell you what though, with South Africa struggling it does seem like Scotland really could be the World Cups 'Dark Horses'! Wink

by **George Carlin** Mon 21 Sep 2015, 3:17 pm

Notch wrote:
George Carlin wrote:
Notch wrote:I still think Scotland are the obvious favourites maj.
No. No, you didn't girlfriend.

WHY would you suggest that we're favourites? You know what that does to us.

To reiterate, I only think Scotland are favourites for this game. I'll tell you what though, with South Africa struggling it does seem like Scotland really could be the World Cups 'Dark Horses'!

Scotland v Japan, 23 September - Page 4 House_11

by RuggerRadge2611 Mon 21 Sep 2015, 3:17 pm

flyhalffactory wrote:I firmly believe that VC thinks that is his best 15 and I largely go along with that including Sclong in on the right wing.

Its a close call between Grant and Richey but obviously Cotter puts a lot into Gilchrists leadership skills in the breakdown area and his awareness around the park.

Major concerns over Seymours defence and Scotts speed (or the recent lack of it), Russell is used to a high tempo game at regional level with a quick inside centre or barnstorming crunching. I find it incredible saying this going into our first game of the WC2015 but Matty could be weak link in a fairly rapid back line, I would like to see Horne coming on around the 50th minute to see how the Russell/Horne/Bennett axis will work.

I think the Japan win has benefitted Scotland, it will have firmly given us a reality check but also presented us with a more options as before we would have been disappointed if we didn't get a BP win and maybe risked a bit too much. Now we have to firstly focus on the win, then ensure we don't risk injury and then if we are in the position then we will go for the BP. We also know if we get the BP then SA will have to put their first 15 out for Samoa who will also be looking to win against the Boks and will be matching them with their best side. Ouch!

2 words that haven't been associated with Shlong for about 10 years...

by funnyExiledScot Mon 21 Sep 2015, 3:23 pm

I agree with the concerns over Matt Scott. He's still getting up to speed after injury and his handling skills were off during the warm-ups. He's a seriously talented player but there's a question mark as to whether he's ready. The good news is that Horne is a very handy alternative and will be on the bench. Horne doesn't have Scott's power, but he's a good footballer.

by tigertattie Mon 21 Sep 2015, 3:24 pm

jimbopip wrote:I like your team for the match against the USA, RDW.

BVC's decision to go with one 7 in the squad means that hardie plays every game or we play the Rab C Johnson way, "I've seen the future and it's three times eight; Bluto, Baldwin and Batman."

OMG!

It's the killer Bees version 2

Or it sounds like the name of a firm that FES would work for!

by Tattie Scones RRN Mon 21 Sep 2015, 3:29 pm

Wonder what odds you'd have got for Scotland winning the group with Japan also qualifying?

I think flyhalf is right. This will concentrate the minds even more.

The game is going to be a cracker.

by flyhalffactory Mon 21 Sep 2015, 3:56 pm

RuggerRadge2611 wrote:
flyhalffactory wrote:I firmly believe that VC thinks that is his best 15 and I largely go along with that including Sclong in on the right wing.

Its a close call between Grant and Richey but obviously Cotter puts a lot into Gilchrists leadership skills in the breakdown area and his awareness around the park.

Major concerns over Seymours defence and Scotts speed (or the recent lack of it), Russell is used to a high tempo game at regional level with a quick inside centre or barnstorming crunching. I find it incredible saying this going into our first game of the WC2015 but Matty could be weak link in a fairly rapid back line, I would like to see Horne coming on around the 50th minute to see how the Russell/Horne/Bennett axis will work.

I think the Japan win has benefitted Scotland, it will have firmly given us a reality check but also presented us with a more options as before we would have been disappointed if we didn't get a BP win and maybe risked a bit too much. Now we have to firstly focus on the win, then ensure we don't risk injury and then if we are in the position then we will go for the BP. We also know if we get the BP then SA will have to put their first 15 out for Samoa who will also be looking to win against the Boks and will be matching them with their best side. Ouch!

2 words that haven't been associated with Shlong for about 10 years...

Always an exception to the general rule and he is it Hug

by funnyExiledScot Mon 21 Sep 2015, 4:05 pm

tigertattie wrote:
jimbopip wrote:I like your team for the match against the USA, RDW.

BVC's decision to go with one 7 in the squad means that hardie plays every game or we play the Rab C Johnson way, "I've seen the future and it's three times eight; Bluto, Baldwin and Batman."

OMG!

It's the killer Bees version 2

Or it sounds like the name of a firm that FES would work for!

You can't beat law firms for imaginative names. Dumas & McPhail LLC is my particular favourite.

by **George Carlin** Mon 21 Sep 2015, 4:07 pm

funnyExiledScot wrote:
tigertattie wrote:
jimbopip wrote:I like your team for the match against the USA, RDW.

BVC's decision to go with one 7 in the squad means that hardie plays every game or we play the Rab C Johnson way, "I've seen the future and it's three times eight; Bluto, Baldwin and Batman."

OMG!

It's the killer Bees version 2

Or it sounds like the name of a firm that FES would work for!

You can't beat law firms for imaginative names. Dumas & McPhail LLC is my particular favourite.

I have honestly dealt with a firm called Wang & Wang.

by TJ Mon 21 Sep 2015, 4:07 pm

TightHEAD wrote:Would Scotland have taken the kick at goal as the clock ran down vs SA?

I would think so

by TJ Mon 21 Sep 2015, 4:08 pm

George Carlin wrote:
funnyExiledScot wrote:
tigertattie wrote:
jimbopip wrote:I like your team for the match against the USA, RDW.

BVC's decision to go with one 7 in the squad means that hardie plays every game or we play the Rab C Johnson way, "I've seen the future and it's three times eight; Bluto, Baldwin and Batman."

OMG!

It's the killer Bees version 2

Or it sounds like the name of a firm that FES would work for!

You can't beat law firms for imaginative names. Dumas & McPhail LLC is my particular favourite.
I have honestly dealt with a firm called Wang & Wang.

I remember a Dolittle and Dally

by jimbopip Mon 21 Sep 2015, 4:13 pm

Shyster, Flywheel and Shyster are my favourites.

by tigertattie Mon 21 Sep 2015, 4:41 pm

by TheMildlyFranticLlama Mon 21 Sep 2015, 4:47 pm

RDW_Scotland wrote:So what are the changes and how much does it (hopefully) weaken their team?

Well 3 of their standout backs from the weekend keep their places, Tanaka at 9, Tatekawa who played 12 having come in from the bench as a late injury replacement has now shifted into the 10 shirt, and Goromaru at 15. Sa'u at 13 and Matsushima on the wing also keep their places, so in general there isn't much change to the backline other than the shift at 10. No idea how Tatekawa stacks up against Kosei Ono at flyhalf mind you.

Mafi played very well off the bench and is now starting at 8, while captain Leitch also keeps his place after a standout performance. The starting props have both changed.

There is actually a fair amount of continuity in selection there front row aside, so obviously fatigue could be an issue. However the lineup certainly doesn't appear much weaker than it was against SA from what I can see, but - and this is the key point, I have no idea what I'm talking about Very Happy

by **RDW** Mon 21 Sep 2015, 4:51 pm

TheMildlyFranticLlama wrote: but - and this is the key point, I have no idea what I'm talking about

Doesn't stop any of us on here!

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