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What Finn Russell told Scotland's new wing giant moments before his debut try
Duhan Van Der Merwe aims to keep improving as an international player now he has got his “nervous and emotional” Scotland debut out of the way.
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The South African-born wing marked his first cap with a try as Scotland beat Georgia 48-7 on Friday, running on to Finn Russell’s pass to get the home team’s sixth try of the game.
The 25-year-old’s introduction to Gregor Townsend’s team has been long anticipated after bagging 31 tries in three years with Edinburgh before qualifying for Scotland under residency rules.
The winger is now very much in contention for a Guinness Six Nations debut against Wales on Saturday.
“It obviously makes it very special, scoring on my debut,” the former South Africa Under-18 international said.
“Finn was actually saying, ‘just run on my inside’. I did and he put me away.
“It was a very emotional day for me, getting my first cap for Scotland. I came to Edinburgh in 2017 and three and a half years later I am a completely different player. I enjoyed it and it was very special.
“I was nervous but Gregor told me just to go out and do my thing. I’m obviously going to be nervous getting my first cap but now that is out the way I will lose a bit of nerves and hopefully just get better.
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“It was a bit different, I felt very marked and didn’t have much space. I just have to work around that and find ways to beat guys.
“We spoke about getting myself on the ball more than 10 times and that was my mission going into the game. I might just have been short but don’t tell Gregor.”
Van Der Merwe enjoyed a special moment after the game as he and Oli Kebble were presented with their first caps while Russell collected his 50th.
“It was live in South Africa so my family and friends watched it and Scotland managed to get my family and friends on a Zoom call when I got my cap in the changing room,” he said.
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"…one almost fears for Jack Willis"
The brakes need to be pushed on this hype train, according to @davidflatman https://t.co/eDeIhddRIK
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) October 25, 2020
“So that made it very special. Our captain, Fraser Brown, gave me my cap.”
The gesture continued a warm welcome into the Scotland fold.
“I obviously came into a new environment and didn’t know what to expect,” he said. “But the Scotland camp is amazing.
“You know what it’s like playing for Edinburgh against Glasgow, so I was wondering what the boys were going to be like, but they have been amazing.
“The build-up to the game has just been awesome and a very nice experience for myself.”
When Sam Cane was appointed #AllBlacks captain, it was almost impossible to avoid the calls that Ian Foster had made the wrong decision.
Here's what @TomVinicombe had to say about the appointment following the #SuperRugby season.https://t.co/TJ4L0AZuST
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) October 25, 2020
Comments on RugbyPass
Pretty good side. Scott Barrett should be the captain. Ethan Blackadder a great choice at blindside. He is going to go from strength to strength having made a couple of starts for the Crusaders. Scott Robertson rates him highly. Perenara could start a no 9.
3 Go to commentsI question and with respect. Was enough done over the last few years to bring through new blood knowing the Whitelocks and co couldn’t last forever. There should have been more done to future proof the team. New squad new coach, he and they weren’t set up well. IMO
6 Go to commentsJacobsen will definitely be in the 23
3 Go to commentsLots of discussion points, Ben, but two glaring follies IMO: 1. Blackadder at 6. Has done nothing so far this season to justify his selection. Did you see him going backwards in contact at the weekend? Simply has not got the physical presence at 6: we need a Scott Barrett or a Finau (or wildcard Ah Kuoi), beasts who are big enough to play lock, like Frizzell. If Barret played at 6, Paddy could be joined at lock by Vai’i or one of the young giants we need to promote, like Darry or Lord (if he ever gets on the field). Blackadder best left to join the queue for 7. 2. Not even a mention for Christie? Ratima gets caught at crucial times at the back of the ruck when he hesitates on the pass. The only way he starts would be if Christie and TJ are injured.
3 Go to commentsWhat a dagg in more ways than one
6 Go to commentsRegroup come back next year but sack some of the coaching team and don't be like the ABs last minute sacking. If Crusaders don't do well ABs don't do well.
5 Go to commentsProctor Definitely inform again this year had a hell of a season last year and this year is looking even better. Still mixed feelings about Ioane tho.
4 Go to commentsDagg is still trying to get enough headlines to make himself relevant enough to get a job. The Crusaders went back to square one at all levels. Shelve this season and nail the next one.
6 Go to commentsHe was in such great form. Sad for him but only a short term injury and it will be great to see him back for the finals.
1 Go to commentsAfter their 5/0 start, I had the Crusaders to finish Top 4 only…they lost the plot in Perth but will reload and back themselves vs 4th placed Rebels…
5 Go to commentsBoth nations missed a great opportunity to book a game that would have had a lot of interest from around the world. I understand these games can’t be organised in 5 minutes but they should have found a way to make it happen. I don’t think Wales are ducking anyone but it’s a bad look haha.
3 Go to commentsIt will be fascinating to see the effect that Jo Yapp has. If they can compete with Canada and give BFs a run for their money that will be progress
1 Go to commentsFollowing his dream and putting in the work. Go well young fella!
3 Go to commentsPerhaps filling Twickenham is one of Mitchell’s KPIs. I doubt whether both September matches will be at Twickenham on consecutive weekends. I would take the BF one to a large provincial stadium so as not to give them the advantage and experience of playing at Twickenham before a large crowd prior to the RWC.
3 Go to commentsvery unfortunate for Kitshoff, but big opportunity potentially for Nché to prove he is genuinely the best loosehead in the world, rather than just a specialist finisher. Presuming that if Kitshoff is out, it will also give Steenekamp a chance to come into the 23? Or are others likely to be ahead of him?
1 Go to commentsA long held question in popular culture asks if art imitates life or does the latter influence the former? Over this 6 nations I can ask the same question of the media influencing the thoughts of its audience or vice versa. Nobody wants to see cricket scores in rugby, as a spectacle it is not sustainable. With so many articles about England’s procession and lack of competition it feeds the epicaricacy of many looking for an opportunity to pounce. England are not the first team to dominate nor does it happen only in rugby, think Federer, Nadal, Red Bull or Mercedes, Manchester Utd, Australia in tests and World Cups. Instead of celebrating the achievements why find reasons to falsify it pointing towards larger playing pool, professional for a longer period or mitigate with the lack of growth in other nations. Can we not enjoy it while it is here and know that it won’t last for ever, others coveting what England have will soon take the crown, ask the aforementioned?
6 Go to commentsShame he won’t turn out for the Netherlands now they’re improving. U20s are Euro champs and in the U20 Trophy this year. The senior sides gets better every year too.
3 Go to commentsWill rugbypass tv be showing these games?
1 Go to commentsWell where do you start, the fact that England have a professional domestic league and Ireland’s is fully amatuer, that they have fully seperated professional squads at Fifteens and Sevens (7’s thinly disguised as GB), and Ireland have fully pro Sevens squad who loan some players back to the Semi-Professional Fifteens squad (moved from amateur for only a year or so) for a few games at 6N & RWC’s. The Women’s games is a shambles, and is at risk of killing itself by pushing for professionalism when the market isn’t really there to support it outside one or two countnries..
6 Go to commentsWayne Smith's input didn't have as much impact on the last final as Davison's red card for Thompson. England were 14 points up and flying when that happened.
6 Go to comments