Russell anticipates 'inevitable' breaking of legend's record
Finn Russell believes it is “inevitable” that prolific wing pair Darcy Graham and Duhan van der Merwe will become Scotland’s two highest try-scorers of all time.
The Edinburgh duo have spoken openly in recent months about their battle to overtake Stuart Hogg, who ended his 100-cap career at the top of the charts on 27 touchdowns.
Graham, 26, has already bagged five tries at this World Cup – including four against Romania on Saturday – to move joint-second with Ian Smith and Tony Stanger on 24, while 28-year-old Van der Merwe, who was rested against Romania, is sixth on 21.
Stand-off Russell declared that it is only a matter of time before they both catch his long-term team-mate Hogg as he discussed the world-class threat they possess ahead of Saturday’s crucial World Cup shootout with Ireland in Paris.
“I wouldn’t say (in) this game but it would be nice if they both went past it in this game,” Russell said when asked if they will overtake former full-back Hogg’s tally.
“I would imagine so, it’s kind of inevitable, isn’t it, the way those two are playing.
“Obviously Darcy got four on Saturday and one against Tonga, and I just think the finishing ability both of these boys have is outstanding.
“Duhan scored one against England (in the Six Nations in February) from nothing, Darcy’s scored in the last two games from nothing.
“Darcy’s three tries away from Hoggy and Duhan’s six away. These guys can score three in a game easily enough so I think both of them will catch him if they stay fit and healthy, which is a shame for Hoggy.
“He had 100 caps, these boys have had less than 40. That’s credit to these boys and the style of rugby we’re playing that we’re getting the ball to the edges and they’re finishing it and doing their job out there.”
Russell believes Scotland have the back-line to trouble any team on the planet.
“The quicker we can get the ball into Darcy and Duhan’s hands the better,” he said. “Inside of that Blair (Kinghorn) has been outstanding, Sione (Tuipulotu) and Shuggie (Huw Jones) are working so well together, we’ve got so many threats throughout the backline that the quicker we can get the ball there, the better.
“That doesn’t mean we rush to get the ball there but the quicker we can get it there in the right situation, the better.
“The forwards we’ve got are great as well and if we can get our set-piece right that will give us a great platform to launch off the back of and allow the boys outside of me to do what they can.”
Russell feels having players of Graham and Van der Merwe’s quality on the wing helps enhance his own game.
“It’s great because I know that once the ball goes two or three sets of hands wide, as soon as Darcy and Duhan and Blair get their hands on the ball that something can happen,” he said.
“They can beat players one-on-one, they can get offloads, they can score from nothing, so it gives myself confidence to make sure the ball gets there and as a team we get a real confidence lift if these boys get the ball in their hands and start breaking tackles and getting us on the front foot.”
Comments on RugbyPass
Always reluctant to blame a coach when losses rack up, but Penney must go. The backline is dysfunctional and the coach must carry the can. No cohesion, no idea and in many cases, minimal skill. The trains out of Roma St depart faster than the ball from Crusaders’ set pieces. Wouldn’t be surprised if the forwards went on strike.
1 Go to commentsAdding to earlier comment. Cullen Grace has been playing great at no6. Lio-Willie , who was on fire a few weeks ago, had a bad game. I think Cullen should have been moved to 8 earlier, Dominic Gardiner on earlier. Feel for Quinten Strange , put in a big shift .
4 Go to commentsWe dominated the scrums Ben Curry was all over pitch again .Surely James Harper got to be one of best English tightheads
1 Go to commentsRoos is a better option at 6 than 8 for the boks. Needs to work on his windgat though.
1 Go to commentsThe Sharks’ 2nd team maybe?
1 Go to comments‘radical’
1 Go to commentsCome back to Christchurch Robbie, please!
1 Go to commentsI think there is zero chance Sam Cane will be selected for another Test. There is simply no point except sentimentality. Razor is not sentimental- ask Wyatt Crocket. Razor is a ruthless selector
4 Go to comments> It would be best described as an elegant solution to what was potentially going to be a significant problem for new All Blacks coach Scott Robertson. It is a problem the mad population of New Zealand will have to cope with more and more as All Blacks are able to continue their careers in NZ post RWCs. It will not be a problem for coaches, who are always going to start a campaign with the captain for the next WC in mind. > Cane, despite his warrior spirit, his undoubted commitment to every team he played for and unforgettable heroics against Ireland in last year’s World Cup quarter-final, was never unanimously admired or respected within New Zealand while he was in the role. Neither was McCaw, he was considered far too passive a captain and then out of form until his last world cup where everyone opinions changed, just like they would have if Cane had won the WC. > It was never easy to see where Cane, or even if, he would fit into Robertson’s squad given the new coach will want to be building a new-look team with 2027 in mind. > Cane will win his selections on merit and come the end of the year, he’ll sign off, he hopes, with 100 caps and maybe even, at last, universal public appreciation for what was a special career. No, he won’t. Those returning from Japan have already earned the right to retain their jersey, it’s in their contract. Cane would have been playing against England if he was ready, and found it very hard to keep his place. Perform, and they keep it however. Very easy to see where Cane could have fit, very hard to see how he could have accomplished it choosing this year as his sabbatical instead of 2025, and that’s how it played out (though I assume we now know what when NZR said they were allowing him to move his sabbatical forward and return to NZ next year, they had actually agreed to simply select him for the All Blacks from overseas, without any chance he was going to play in NZ again). With a mammoth season of 15 All Black games they might as well get some value out of his years contract, though even with him being of equal character to Richie, I don’t think they should guarantee him his 100 caps. That’s not what the All Blacks should be about. He absolutely has to play winning football.
4 Go to commentswhat’s happening to Ian Peel?
1 Go to commentsAs a Crusaders fan , so disappointed , again.But I think Fergus Burke was all class for the Crusaders in his first game since October last year. Fletcher Newell , was so good at prop. Johnny McNicoll has been gold since returning from Wales. Noah Hotham brilliant , in a coming of age second season for the Crusaders.Jone Rova did really well at centre. The end of the game was tough.Sevu Reece , what a game/season in tough times.
4 Go to commentsFellas a balloon
3 Go to commentsBlues B team on display and made no race of it. By far the best team in SR with the Hurricanes barely getting past the winning post. Up the Blues 💙
7 Go to commentsWould be amazing to have Servette Genève reaching this level
3 Go to commentsThe Crusaders can't buy a win this season. Surely Penney's contract won't be renewed. There's still enough talent in the squad that they oughta be winning more.
1 Go to commentsABs captain for 23 seasons. Decent record. Surely nobody will surpass it. Legend. But alas a typo…
4 Go to commentsJust FYI Rugbypass, I for one am tired of your clickbait titles and thumbnails and will be clicking them no longer. Good day.
1 Go to commentsI think Farrell despite all of the stick he gets in the media is still one of if not the best fly half in the world. He is literally the full package. He can kick one of the best in the world, probably has the best defensive game of a fly half in the world and if he wants to he can run, take contact and find an offload to keep the pace of the attack. I dont know why he isnt spoken more about still being one of the best in the world with the likes of dupont. Farrell is the ultimate captain and team leader and is experienced- he has been in nearly any situation you can think of. I still believe due to these reasons that he is England’s best ever player and is still one of the best players in the world.
48 Go to commentsBlues are dominating up front and that’s been a long time coming. They have won the up front confrontation which is where canes, hilanders and act brumbies are also strong.
7 Go to commentsJust watched brumbies v safas game sadly not a show in he’ll thryr anywhere near quarters or semi contention. Admittedly some issues around new comers bot what stands out for me is coaching management, poor game planning and accuracy.
5 Go to comments