'There are nine guys who are not going to travel to Japan. You need to scrap and fight for everything'
Ali Price says Scotland’s crushing loss to France in Nice is a World Cup wake-up call.
Gregor Townsend’s team depart for Japan in less than a month but they looked badly out of shape as they kicked off their warm-up schedule with a 32-3 defeat to Les Bleus.
Scotland conceded within the first 90 seconds and were breached four more times at the Allianz Riviera as they were overpowered by a French outfit who looked sharper and fitter.
By full-time, the Scots trudged off knowing that if they repeat their display in the Far East they will struggle to get out of a group containing Ireland, Russia, Samoa and the hosts.
But scrum-half Price hopes the shock display will jolt a reaction from Townsend’s men ahead of welcoming France to Murrayfield for next Saturday’s return clash.
“Everyone is pretty low,” admitted the Glasgow half-back after the match.
“We were the first 23 guys to get a shot at what we’ve been doing for the last two months and it was disappointing. It’s a pretty big wake-up call.
“If we can take anything from it it’s that it’s the first game. Things were never going to be perfect. We came here to win and we were way off.
“We’ve come back from games like this before and we’re at home next week in front of our own fans.
“We get another shot at France and then we roll into two Georgia games and try and gather some momentum.
France lock Paul Gabrillagues has been cited for this clearout against Scotland.
Foul play contrary to Law 9.20 (dangerous play in a ruck or maul). pic.twitter.com/x6h4JaaAXT
— Murray Kinsella (@Murray_Kinsella) August 18, 2019
“It’s a wake-up call that we’re not just going to roll into this World Cup and get us far as we want. We’ve got to want it and other teams have been working just as hard as us. There’s lots to look at.”
Townsend will name his final 31-man squad on September 3 in between the Scots’ final two warm-up Tests against Georgia.
Price challenged his team-mates to prove how much they want a seat on the plane.
BREAKING | Scotland team named to face France in this Saturday's opening Summer Test in Nice (kick-off 8pm BST) – live on Premier Sports #AsOne ????????? pic.twitter.com/HOKOzaA2Do
— Scottish Rugby (@Scotlandteam) August 14, 2019
“When you’re out on the pitch and you’re tired and you have these decisions to make, you have to question how much you want it,” he said.
“Whether you are willing to work to the end of the line to give us a bit more width, whether you’re willing to get off the line, willing to put your shoulder in – all these questions you have to ask yourself.
? "Plenty of positives although the results disappointing."
? Tim Visser and Al Kellock discuss what Scotland can take from tonight's game and build on ahead of next Saturday's game with France! pic.twitter.com/MiSkIyBJf7
— Premier Sports ? (@PremierSportsTV) August 17, 2019
“There are nine guys who are not going to travel to Japan. If that was your one opportunity that was your one opportunity and you have to make of it what you can.
“Whoever gets the chance next week now to right some wrongs, I’m sure we’ll see a massive reaction.
“I don’t think you can use the fact we’ve had a hard camp so far as an excuse. I’m not speaking on behalf of everyone here, I’m saying in general you have to realise who you are representing and how much do you want this.
“How much do you want to represent your country at a World Cup? Not many people get to do it and I feel like when your backs are against the wall a bit it’s hard to remember that.
“You need to scrap and fight for everything. Defence is going to win the World Cup, not attack. The teams that defends the best and is clinical when they have the ball, I firmly believe they will win it.
“Defence is a mindset more than anything, you need to want to hit someone, want to put your body in front of someone. We just lacked that a bit.”
– Press Association
Comments on RugbyPass
Lets compare apples with apples. Lyon sent weak team the week before, but nobody raised an eyebrow. Give the South African teams a few years to build their depth, then you will be moaning that the teams are too strong.
41 Go to commentsDid footballs agents also perform the scout role at some time? I’m surprised more high profile players haven’t taken up the occupation, great way to remain in the game and use all that experience without really requiring a lot of specific expertise?
1 Go to commentsSuper rugby is struggling but that has little to do with sabbaticals. 1. Too many teams from Aust and NZ - should be 3 and 4 respectively, add in 2 from Japan, 1 possibly 2 from Argentina. 2. Inconsistent and poor refereeing, admittedly not restricted to Super rugby. Only one team was reffed at the breakdown in Reds v H’Landers match. Scrum penalty awarded in Canes v Drua when No 8 had the ball in the open with little defence nearby - ideal opportunity to play advantage. Coming back to Reds match - same scrum situation but ref played advantage - Landers made 10 yards and were penalised at the breakdown when the ref should have returned to scrum penalty. 3. Marketing is weak and losing ground to AFL and NRL. Playing 2 days compared with 4. 4. Scheduling is unattractive to family attendance. Have any franchises heard of Sundays 2pm?
10 Go to commentsAbsolutely..all they need is a chance in yhe playoffs and I bet all the other teams will be nervous…THEY KNOW HOW TO WIN IM THE PLAYOFFS..
2 Go to commentsI really hope he comes back and helps out with some coaching.
1 Go to commentsI think we are all just hoping that the Olympic 7s doesn’t suffer the same sad fate as the last RWC with the officials ruining the spectacle.
1 Go to commentsPersonally, I’ve lost the will to even be bothered about the RFU, the structure, the participants. It’s all a sham. I now simply enjoy getting a group of friends together to go and watch a few games a year in different locations (including Europe, the championship, etc). I feel extremely sorry for the real fans of these clubs who are constantly ignored by the RFU and other administrators. I feel especially sorry for the fans of clubs in the Championship who have had considerable central funding stripped away and are then expected to just take whatever the RFU put to them. Its all a sham, especially if the failed clubs are allowed to return.
9 Go to commentsI’m guessing Carl Hayman would have preferred to have stayed in NZ with benefit of hindsight. Up north there is the expectation to play twice as many games with far less ‘player management’ protocols that Paul is now criticising. Less playing through concussions means longer, healthier, careers. Carter used as the eg here by Paul, his sabbatical allowed him to play until age 37. OK its not an exact science but there is far more expectations on players who sign for Top 14 or Engl Prem clubs to get value for the huge salaries. NZR get alot wrong but keeping their best players in NZ rugby is not one of them. SA clubs are virtually devoid of their top players now, no thanks. They cant threaten the big teams in the Champions Cup, the squads have little depth. Cant see Canes/Chiefs struggling. Super has been great this year, fantastic high skill matches. Drua a fantastic addition and Jaguares will add another quality team eventually. Aus teams performing strongly and no doubt will benefit with the incentive of a Lions tour and a home RWC. Let Jordie enjoy his time with Leinster, it will allow the opportunity for another player to emerge at Canes in his absence.
10 Go to commentsLove that man, his way to despise angry little men is so funny ! 😂
4 Go to comments“South African franchises would be powerhouses if we had all our overseas based players back in situ. We would have the same unbeatable aura the Toulouses, Leinsters or Saracens of this world have had over the last decade or so.” Proof that Jake white does not understand the economics of the game in SA. Players earning abroad are not going to simply come back and represent the bulls. But they might if they have a springbok contract.
22 Go to commentsA lot of fans just joined in for the fun of it! We all admire O'Gara and what he has done for La Rochelle
4 Go to commentsThe RFU will find a way to mess this up as usual. My bet is there will be no promotion into the the Premiership, only relegation into National League One. Hopefully they won’t parachute failed clubs into the league at the expense of clubs who have battled for promotion.
9 Go to commentsWell that’s the contracts for RG and Jordie bought and paid for. Now, what are the chances we can persuade Antoine to hop over with all the extra dosh we’ll have from living at the Aviva & Croke next season…??? 🤑🤑🤑
34 Go to commentsWow, that’s incredible. Great for rugby.
34 Go to commentsYou probably read that parling is going to coach the wallaby lineout but if not before now you have.
14 Go to commentsIf someone like Leo Cullen was in O’Gara’s place I don’t hear Boo-ing. It’s not just that La Rochelle has hurt Leinster and O’Gara is their Irish boss. It’s the needle that he brings and the pantomime activity before the game around pretending that Munster were supporting LaRochelle just because O’Gara is from Cork. That’s dividing Irish provinces just to get an advantage for his French Team. He can F*ck right off with that. BOOOOO! (but not while someone is lying injured)
4 Go to commentsDid the highlanders party too hard before the game? They were the pits.
1 Go to commentsWhat a player! Not long until he’s in the England side, surely?
5 Go to commentsHe seems to have the same aura as Marcus Smith - by which I mean he’s consistently judged as if he’s several years younger than he actually is. Mngomezulu has played 24 times for the Stormers. When Pollard was his age he had played 24 times for South Africa! He has more time to develop, but he has also had time to do some developing already, and he hasn’t demonstrated nearly as much talent in that time as one would expect. If he is a generational talent, then it must be a pretty poor generation.
6 Go to commentsThe greatest Springbok coach of all time is entirely on the money. Rassie and Jacques have given the south african public a great few years, but the success of the springbok selection policy will need to be judged in light of what comes next. The poor condition that the provincial system is currently in doesn’t bode well for the next few years of international rugby, and the insane 2026 schedule that the Boks have lined up could also really harm both provincial and international consistency.
22 Go to comments