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.
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.
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
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
Let’s make them both Capt. I think we'd get the best of both of them and it would help alleviate some of the pressures of the role. They'd have to confer over on field decisions which should lead to “ learnings “ for both. They are our two best consistent performers.
16 Go to commentsOur best player by far..but not a good Captain..poor tactician cost the AB'S and Canes games by not taking the easy points and going for tries when the lineouts were a shambles..can he read a game? And his throat slitting gesture should disqualify him from the AB Captaincy..it is not the appropriate behaviour of an AB Captain.
16 Go to commentsForget what was said or how many players said it. TONY BROWN IS THE NEW ATTACK COACH. That’s the only story worth freaking out over. The springboks are going to grow their game an awful lot over the next cycle and it’s not just the 19 disgustingly arrogant Irish players who refused to shake Ebens hand and said “see you in the final if you can cheat your way past France” who will find that out first hand.
121 Go to commentsOn one hand I think it's a bit ridiculous that this gar into the season and with only 2 wins the Crusaders may make the finals. On the other hand if it was only top 4 or 5, then that last several weeks may be mainly dead rubbers. Nope, 8th place after round robin shouldn't be able to lift the trophy.
1 Go to commentsI do think the media in NZ treated him badly. Sam is a legend. He is humble, a great rugby mind and leader. What happened in the final could happen to anyone. The margins is so fine these days. I lay blame at the feet of the coaching staff and NZ rugby. The stats tell’s all. The AB’s was the worst disciplined side in the WC with more red and yellow cards than anyone else. Problem is NZ rugby is not training their players to play safer. And thats the danger a fast game brings. More yellow and red cards. But Sam Cane in my eye was and still is a great ambassador for the game, that just had a stroke of bad luck.
4 Go to commentsI hope Jim and co. Add this to their list of icebreaker questions they can ask all their guests going forward. So we can eventually hear what everyone thinks about this subject. “What do you think Ireland meant…”
121 Go to commentsHe’s a dominant personality. That might be both a good and bad thing in team dynamics. Certainly it ruined Smith’s first crack at 10 with Owen at 12. BTW, Bristol flatter to deceive. When things really matter, they tend to deliver less rather than more. Farrell would have been good for them
36 Go to commentsGot a lot of over the top abuse from Crusader fans, in particular, who thought every 7 they had was miles better. Now we will see if anyone is better? Laid his body on the line every game so finishing early makes sense. A lot of life left after rugby.
4 Go to commentsA poor decision to appoint Carley as not only is Pearce a better referee but also importantly speaks French.
2 Go to commentsHe is 100 % on the mark. Malicious arrogance with a lack of respect for the other teams mostly the south. they must learn from True rugby nations like the Boks and Kiwis
121 Go to commentsThis Outiniqua boy has played sublime rugby and deserves a spot in BI LIONS team. Well played son
4 Go to commentsI don’t like to see players miss big matches but this ban looks to be tailored to allow him to compete in the final. In principle a suspension for a very dangerous tackle in a semi should warrant missing the relevant final. Done now. One the flip side having both teams with very strong squads/teams available for the final will add to the occassion hopefully.
1 Go to commentsTalent to burn and a huge engine..hope he gets a shot at higher honours
2 Go to commentsIf anything like his dad he has a bright future, Soane was the best ball carrying props ive ever seen using a combination of pace power and footwork.
1 Go to commentsThose 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.
36 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 😂
2 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
36 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.
16 Go to comments