Glasgow player ratings vs Toulon | 2023 Challenge Cup
Glasgow player ratings: Franco Smith’s men got run over here, looking flaccid in attack and defence in a disappointing night for the Scottish side. Frankly, it was men against boys for much of it, with unforced errors in the red zone destroying any chance Glasgow had of making a game of it.
15. Oliver Smith – 5
Lucky to escape sanction for a seatbelt tackle that failed to stop Baptiste Serin. Was one of the Glasgow’s brighter attacking weapons, although that’s not saying much going off tonight’s tepid collective performance.
14. Sebastian Cancelliere – 5
The Argentine saw a bit action in the first half, a decent breakout down the right flank sticking out. A poor decision in the 47th minute fluffed a near certain Glasgow try. Probably deserved Glasgow’s consolation try.
13. Huw Jones – 4
A game Jones will do better to forget as it largely passed him by. Part of a lethargic Glasgow attack that would have struggled to burst a crisp packet. His spilled pass in the 54th minute summed up proceedings.
12. Sione Tuipulotu – 6
One of the few Glasgow backs who could say he gave a half decent account of himself, his embarrassing second-half reception spill aside.
11. Kyle Steyn (c) – 7
A couple of half decent carries but didn’t really worry RCT’s backline until the 55th minute when he didn’t brilliantly to dummy his way through the Toulon defence. He struck again in the 73rd minute will another smart inside line.
10. Domingo Miotti – 5
Vacillated wildly between looking out of his depth at times and moments of real competence. Hard to argue he justified his selection.
9. George Horne – 5
Struggled to keep pace up with Serin, who was the star of the show early on. Toulon found it too easy to slow down him down at the base of the ruck.
1. Jamie Bhatti – 5
The loosehead could barely contain Beka Gigashvili in the opening exchanges, even if it was Fagerson on the other side that had the worst of it. Grew into the game, a dominant 39th minute scrum penalty standing out.
2. Fraser Brown – 4
A game pockmarked by errors, with Glasgow’s lineout bordering on an omnishambles. Things got better when Matthews came on.
3. Zander Fagerson – 4
Was under pressure from the off at set-piece, with Dany Priso absolutely melting the Lions prop in the first 30 or so minutes. As with Bhatti, battled back into the game at the set-piece at least.
4. JP du Preez – 6
The giant South African carried competently for a big man and gave as good as he got with in the close exchanges. Maybe lacked the dynamism of his opposing numbers.
5. Scott Cummings – 4
Usually a solid lineout bet, his failure to take the ball in the 18th minute lead to Toulon’s second try. Wasn’t effective here.
6. Matt Fagerson – 5.5
Another lineout spiller. Stayed in the fight, a turnover at the start of second half yards from the Toulon line sadly coming to nothing for the Scots.
7. Sione Vailanu – 5
Playing at seven, presumably to combat the Toulon size advantage, but didn’t exert the physical dominance he’d be used to in the URC. Darge, had he started, might have offered more by way of ground-hogging.
8. Jack Dempsey
A first half to forget for the Aussie, who was of a number of sinners when it came to Glasgow’s error stricken attack.
Replacements – 6: Ali Price was an improvement on Horne as was Johnny Matthews on Brown. Toulon handsome lead ultimately saw their effort wain and the Glasgow reinforcements saw the benefit.
Comments on RugbyPass
Some dumb selections there. Not Porecki Not Donaldson Not Gordon Not Lonegran - both Not Nic White - Fines instead Not Liam Wright Not Paisami Definitely not Vunivalu Other than that not bad.
1 Go to commentsI've never been convinced that Patty T is a test match all black. Otherwise I probably agree it's the best side available to beat the poms. Caveat that Codie Taylor is yet to be seen and could very likely warrant selection by June. I hope that Razor brings the young loosies, half backs and locks into the training squad and develops/ selects the best
7 Go to commentsYou doing the same thing I disliked about the example of Samisoni Taukei'aho, Nick. He’s great the way he is, you’re trying to do what modern-day coaches frustrate me doing, turning everyone into the perfect athlete. Next thing you’ll be telling me you’ll bench him until he’s hit that arbitrary marker, and can’t overtake the current guy who’s doing all his workons. He’s a young Kieran Read, through and through, plays wide and has threat, mainly (and evident in your clips) through his two hand carry and speed. Just let him work on that, or whatever he wants, and determine his own future. Play God and you risk the players going sideways, like Read did, instead of being a Toutai Kefu. I mean I was in the same camp for a while, wanting our tight five to have the size, and carry ability, as the teams they were getting beat by. Now I’m starting to believe those teams just have better skilled and practiced individuals, bigger by upwards of 5kg sometimes, sure, but more influentially they have those intrinsic skills of trust and awareness. Basically our guys just didn’t know wtf they were doing. Don’t think I’m trying to prove a point here but hasn’t Caleb Clarke been in much better form this year, or does he just ‘look’ better now that he’s not always trying to use his size?
44 Go to commentsThe pack lacks a little in height for the line out and I wouldn’t be completely convinced by some of the combinations till we see it in action.
7 Go to commentsThe side is good but lacks experience. International playing bona fides udually trumps super rugby form for good reason. And incumbents are usually stuck with. Codie Taylor should start or come off the bench. B Barrett will start at fullback. Blackadder has not earned the position, Finau has. TJs experience and competitiveness earns him a starting role, Christie or Ratima off the bench
7 Go to commentsPretty 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.
7 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
7 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.
7 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 comments