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'We always have that ability, I believe, to score 14 points within two minutes'
Gregor Townsend believes that consistency has been key to Scotland’s impressive Guinness Six Nations campaign following their World Cup misery of a year ago.
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Scotland crashed out of the tournament after losing to hosts Japan in their final pool game.
But the response has proved a strong one, reeling off three successive Six Nations victories for the first time, including ending an 18-year wait to beat Wales away from home.
“I felt that the players we have and lessons being learnt, that we would be able to play more consistently,” Scotland head coach Townsend said.
“There was a lot of thinking and reflection from me and others after the World Cup.
“Things we had to change were based around consistency and being in positions to win games as we go into the final 20 minutes.
“We always have that ability, I believe, to score 14 points within two minutes. We did that in the game (against England) at Twickenham a year-and-a-half ago, so the players we have in our team can make those things happen.
“The emergence of our players that are really taking control in the set-pieces, and the coaching we have in that area, that has probably surpassed what I thought we could have achieved this season.
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“I have big belief in this team.”
Scotland now turn attention to the Autumn Nations Cup, with group games ahead against Italy, France and Fiji, plus an early-December play-off fixture.
Whether fly-halves Finn Russell and Adam Hastings play any part in the tournament, though, is not yet clear.
“It was not making me a good rugby player.”https://t.co/aQ2P7yVRzy
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) November 2, 2020
Russell’s return to the Scotland starting XV lasted just 33 minutes against Wales before a groin injury forced him off, while his replacement Hastings suffered a dislocated shoulder.
Skipper Stuart Hogg finished the Wales game at number 10, although 28 times-capped Duncan Weir would be favourite to step in should Townsend be without Russell and Hastings against Italy in a fortnight’s time.
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For Hogg and his Exeter team-mate Jonny Gray, victory over Wales followed the Chiefs’ Heineken Champions Cup and Gallagher Premiership triumphs, with Hogg lifting the Doddie Weir Cup that is played for between Scotland and Wales.
Townsend added: “I did say to him (Hogg) it’s not like this every week in terms of winning a trophy! And Jonny, too, he is living the dream.
“It’s been a really memorable time for them, and it was in the back of our mind that energy levels might have been tough for them with the emotional level of the last two weeks to be playing in such a big game, but they both got better and better as we got through the game.
“They have a strong influence on how the team works. They are leaders in different ways and they allow others to lead.”
Comments on RugbyPass
Hopefully this will mean a new Auckland league team to support in the west. Big Warriors fan but it’s very, very stale on that front and I’d like the option of another team if it was to watch league again. League needs to step up BIG time if its to get anywhere, another AK team and something from the capitol or south is a must for the game.
3 Go to commentsGood, deep interview, nice job Frankie!
1 Go to commentsNRL players don’t have anywhere near the number of Tests. Some people would be happy having Rest Homes full if 40 yo ex-players walking, or hobbling more like it, into walls. It’s just a game!
4 Go to commentsNOW Razor is worried about ABs getting injured or overplayed! Didn’t bother him last year. He happily played his AB Crusaders.
4 Go to commentsWhat is the World Rugby U20 players born year.
2 Go to commentsMuch like the Chiefs finally gave up waiting for Atu Moli to ever not be injured, you have to wonder if the Chiefs and Crusaders will let Josh Lord and Ethan Blackadder go next season. They’re being well paid to sit in the injury ward every year. Better off putting those funds towards someone who might actually play.
7 Go to commentsShowed better basic skills than some nz Super sides, who probably would have botched some of those backline moves. This tournament really is too short though. Needs more teams, or have them play two rounds to properly prepare them for the near full-time NH U20 sides.
4 Go to commentsGood grief it’s only six months. Probably just upset it’s not an established kiwi entering their prime they can “project” into green to join the rest.
1 Go to commentsGood player but far from being best in the world. That's an exaggeration. Perhaps Best in world by Northern Hemisphere standards and biasis but certainly not Southern Hemi standards
3 Go to commentsWell one thing about World Cup knock out rounds and Ireland is very clear: they won’t be getting ahead of themselves in ‘27! Because making it beyond the QF is well and truly ‘IN THEIR HEADS’ now…😉
71 Go to commentsHas this guy been dope tested? Sounds like a case of “roid rage”.
1 Go to commentsI would like to see him say that to Eben face to face in a dark alley.
71 Go to commentsYep, lost in translation. There are arrogant people in Ireland, yes. As there are arrogant people in every country, but as a nation, arrogance is not a general characteristic in Ireland. There has not really had a strong representation for any global sport over the years, and hence arrogance is not endemic to Irish people in this regard. I seriously doubt that was said or meant by 12 or 13 players. If it was said, it would have been said in jest and to pay Etzebeth and the Springboks a compliment for how hard fought the game was.
71 Go to commentsOne of the few Bidwell articles I can agree with. If coaches played their players through niggles and consistently played them 80mins then you could make an argument for resting protocols - they obviously don’t and are incredibly responsible, let’s give up the resting nonsense and let the boys play.
4 Go to commentsDaniel Gallan, please for the love of all that is holy, stop writing about rugby. Or at the very least stop telling people you are South African.
21 Go to commentsThis Dr.Rassie 6-2 filth is spreading. We need to ask World Rugby to ban something
1 Go to commentsPity he couldn’t call him a liar to his face, such a brave man.
71 Go to comments“You ain’t counting to 12 or 13 straight after a game, son!” Just because you don’t doesn’t mean everyone else doesn’t “I reckon if anyone said it they would have said, ‘Hopefully, see you in the final’.” Oh, you “reckon”, do you? You weren’t there, you weren’t part of the conversation but you know what was said… Id10T
71 Go to commentsNZ has such a rich history of quality number nines, and woman beaters.
1 Go to commentsThat’s what happens when you are scared of scrums
3 Go to comments