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Ce qu'il faut savoir sur le match Ecosse - Tonga
Deux semaines après avoir été prise de vitesse et dominée physiquement par les tenants du titre sud-africains à Marseille, l’Écosse aura à cœur de relancer sa Coupe du Monde de Rugby face aux Tonga, à Nice.
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Le sélectionneur, Gregor Townsend, a apporté quatre changements à son XV de départ. Le pilier Rory Sutherland, qui disputera à 31 ans son premier match de Coupe du Monde de Rugby, et le deuxième ligne Scott Cummings intègrent le pack à la place de Pierre Schoeman et Grant Gilchrist, respectivement.
Le centre Chris Harris et l’ailier Kyle Steyn, qui connaîtra lui aussi son baptême du feu dans la compétition, sont titularisés dans la ligne arrière, Huw Jones et Darcy Graham prenant place sur le blanc. Ewan Ashman, Sam Skinner et George Horne font également partie des 23.
Les Écossais chercheront à remporter une large victoire contre une équipe tongienne qui s’est inclinée 59-16 contre une Irlande irrésistible la semaine dernière à Nantes. Johnny Sexton est au passage devenu le meilleur réalisateur de l’histoire de l’équipe d’Irlande lors de ce match.
Le sélectionneur Toutai Kefu a reconduit le XV qui avait débuté ce match, dans lequel on retrouve quatre anciens All Blacks : l’arrière Salesi Piutau, le centre Malakai Fekitoa, le demi de mêlée Augustine Pulu et le numéro 8 Vaea Fifita.
Il a toutefois apporté deux changements à son banc, où prendront place Pat Pellegrini et l’ancien international australien Adam Coleman, qui fêtera sa première sélection avec les Tonga.
HISTORIQUE
Il s’agira de la sixième confrontation entre les deux équipes. L’Écosse a remporté quatre des cinq matchs disputés à ce jour.
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MATCH MARQUANT
Malgré trois cartons jaunes reçus ce jour-là, les Tonga ont battu l’Écosse à Pittodrie en novembre 2012. Il s’agit de leur première et seule victoire à ce jour contre le XV du Chardon. Lua Lokotui et Fetu’u Vainikolo avaient marqué un essai chacun, et Fangatapu Apikotoa avait ajouté 11 points au pied. En face, Greig Laidlaw avait réussi cinq pénalités au pied pour un score final de 21-15.
POINT-CLÉ
Les joueurs et le staff des Tonga seront les premiers à reconnaître qu’ils n’ont pas montré leur meilleur visage lors de leur entrée en lice face à l’Irlande, à Nantes.
Ils auront donc à cœur de livrer une meilleure performance mais seront opposés à un XV du Chardon qui a besoin d’une victoire pour rester au contact de l’Irlande et de l’Afrique du Sud en tête dans la Poule B. Il faut donc s’attendre à une farouche opposition.
LE DUEL
Rory Sutherland face à Ben Tameifuna. Le pilier gauche écossais, dont ce sera le premier match en Coupe du Monde de Rugby et la deuxième titularisation en 19 mois avec l’Écosse, sera opposé au monumental droitier bordelais, capitaine des Tonga. Ce côté de la mêlée devrait nous réserver une belle passe d’armes.
LA STAT INCROYABLE
Chris Paterson est le seul joueur écossais à avoir participé à quatre Coupes du Monde de Rugby et le détenteur du record national de matchs disputés dans la compétition : 15. Il avait tiré sa révérence internationale après le match face à l’Angleterre à Auckland en 2011.
L’ARBITRE
Karl Dickson (Angleterre). Ancien demi de mêlée professionnel, Dickson a commencé à passer ses diplômes d’entraîneur au cours de sa carrière. Il a officié au sifflet pour la première fois en décembre 2016 en Championship (deuxième division anglaise), trois jours après avoir pris place sur le blanc lors du match de Premiership entre les Harlequins et Gloucester à Twickenham.
LES ÉQUIPES
ÉCOSSE Blair Kinghorn ; Kyle Steyn, Chris Harris, Sione Tuipulotu, Duhan van der Merwe ; Finn Russell, Ben White ; Rory Sutherland, George Turner, Zander Fagerson ; Richie Gray, Scott Cummings ; Jamie Ritchie (capitaine), Rory Darge, Jack Dempsey
Remplaçants : Ewan Ashman, Pierre Schoeman, WP Nel, Sam Skinner, Matt Fagerson, George Horne, Huw Jones, Darcy Graham
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TONGA Salesi Piutau ; Solomone Kata, Malakai Fekitoa, Pita Ahki, Afusipa Taumoepeau ; William Havili, Augustine Pulu ; Siegfried Fisi’ihoi, Paula Ngauamo, Ben Tameifuna (capitaine) ; Halaleva Fifita, Sam Lousi ; Tanginoa Halaifonua, Sione Talitui, Vaea Fifita
Remplaçants : 16 Sam Moli, Tau Koloamatangi, Sosefo Apikotoa, Adam Coleman, Semisi Paea, Sione Vailanu, Sonatane Takulua, Patrick Pellegrini
Comments on RugbyPass
Those who saw Sharks vs Clermont and Ox N'Che vs Rabah Slimani should have a good idea of the best scrumagers… May be not the best props…
2 Go to commentsIt's been an unusual era of unpopular, highly competitive, domineering, fairly big fly halves in the home nations with Farrell, Sexton and Biggar. Russell is different in personality and player I think. I'd rank Sexton first of the three because he is just as good a game controller but also has a great passing game. And his competitiveness never seems to cause problems with refs.
31 Go to commentsThank goodness he wasn't born in Scotland, he'd have been a great candidate for the Scottish Barbarians. I wouldn't put it past them to push for a “where the player was conceived” rule 😂
1 Go to commentsOwen Farrell is one of the most polarising figures in the game. His entire attitude on the field (and sometimes off of it) smacks of arrogance and he is about as brash as Donald Trump in a political debate. Yet behind that facade is a calculating, determined and powerful leader who drives any team forward with an Iron will. You are right in that he gets better in the heat of battle and in the face of overwhelming odds. He develops a narrow focus and he delivers his best in a way that few others can. He is one of Englands great performers who sacrificed alot for the team and who often bears the weight of responsibility of leadership alone on the field and in front of the media. Despite what many think of him he is a fantastic game manager with a good rugby brain. He will be sorely missed from the international stage
31 Go to commentsAlways proud of the effort, Sam. The All blacks never stop fighting, never just roll over. He didn’t get anywhere near the respect he earned, but that’s due to results, not commitment to the cause. Have fun dominating in Japan!
1 Go to commentsNot sure why Papali’i thinks Scott Robertson needs his help to select the next All Black Captain. In my view, Papali’i would be well advised to have a good hard look at his own game, and to reflect on how fortunate he is to even wear the black jersey. Rather than shouting at his team mates at every set piece, standing in the mid-field pointing and holding his arms out and flopping to the ground at the back of every second or third ruck, may I suggest he would be far better employed actually doing something on the field. Seriously, watch him for 10 minutes during a game - not much happens. When was the last time he was first to a breakdown, or actually made a turnover? If Robertson is half the Coach I think he is, Papali’i will not be anywhere near the AB’s this season.
11 Go to commentsHiding coming up for Saders.
1 Go to commentsDagg really does go down some rabbit holes doesnt he? In the name I guess.
6 Go to commentsHey Brett I’m one who is looking forward to seeing JS back on the rugby field. I was under the impression that a large portion of his contract was via a third party so RA isn’t having to foot the bill My big concern is around the Tahs and what is happening there, why are so many players bailing. Is it the program, the coaches or the culture. Joe Schmidt recently said he had been at the Tahs all week and DC is a good coach. Something doesn’t gel , 10 front row forwards in a season that’s not bad luck
14 Go to commentsIncorrect title. He hasn’t said Furlong is one of the best scrummagers. He said he is one of the best props.
2 Go to comments“_It seems like a crazy thing that he was counting them_“ Are you stupid, mate? Anyone with more than half a brain understands that he meant “a lot” or something similar. Do you really think he was counting? “*Goode*: Told you, Jim!“ No, you banana. You said, explicitly, that the Irish players didn’t say what EE said they did. Even though you weren’t there. Even though you didn’t hear a word they said. M0r0n.
110 Go to commentsI am sure that Scott Robertson did do the courtesy of telling Sam Cane that he was not in his All Black plans and NZR would support him if he wished to sign a lucrative pension playing out his career in the cream puff rugby that is Japan’s Top League. I fail to see this as a negative as Israel Dagg is trying to spin it. Razor allowed Cane to leave with dignity rather than being unceremoniously dumped as was Buck Shelford.
6 Go to commentsHey rugbypass can I also get involved with writing rugby articles?
1 Go to commentsHey rugbypass can I also get involved with writing rugby articles?
1 Go to commentsAT THE END OF THE DAY THE TEAM WITH 4 WORLD CUPS WILL ALWAYS GET TO TELL THE OTHER NATION TO SUCK MY BALLS. THIS IS A SCIENTIFIC AND IRREFUTABLE FACT.
110 Go to commentsWish him and his family the best in his retirement from International rugby and into the future.
1 Go to commentsSelf proclaimed expert/pundit Andy Goode and his very personal views on referees…Why recalling them in such an article as if he were an undisputed authority on the subject ? Only because fellow writer ?
1 Go to commentsLate growth spurts are a common problem over here. I’m well over 30, and I just started having a growth spurt too. Could be a world class prop soon.
1 Go to commentsas much as the challenge cup is a bit of a nothing competition, winning it would still mean something. last year it was won by toulon, who are now something like 4th in the top 14? The year before it was won by Lyon a season before they finished 3rd in the league. The year before that the final was contested by Montpellier and Leicester - 12 months before they both became domestic champions. That should give Gloucester fans some hope.
1 Go to commentsgreat article - although I can’t help wonder whether the more relevant debate over coming years will be between Ford and Fin Smith!
31 Go to comments