Scotland fans take aim at Townsend as Huw Jones-fuelled rage ignites
Scotland’s Rugby World Cup squad announcement was met with as much negativity as optimism as the Scottish fans processed the omission of 25-year-old outside centre Huw Jones.
The Glasgow Warriors midfielder was nowhere to be seen as Townsend announced his 31-man squad for Japan.
Jones has been a strike weapon for the Scots in recent years, most notably in Scotland’s Calcutta Cup win in 2018 where his double was highly influential in winning the trophy for the first time in 10 years.
Many fans are sure that Scotland will miss the power running game he provides when they face off against Pool A opponents Ireland, Japan, Russia, and Samoa, labeling the decision ‘amazingly stupid’ and ‘ludicrous’.
Peter Horne over Huw Jones will cost us @gregortownsend
— Struan Brock (@StruanBrock) September 3, 2019
Can’t believe Scotland haven’t picked Huw Jones for the World Cup. One of the best players in the 6 nations the last 2 seasons mad
— Greg Cameron (@grcameron98) September 3, 2019
@RugbySco not taking Huw Jones to Japan is amazingly stupid. Comfortably the most capable in the Scottish squad. I bet you he is chosen as a British Lion.
— Don LeSac (@DonLeSac) September 3, 2019
No Huw Jones? Have you gone mad??
— Frik (@FrikBrits) September 3, 2019
Gregor Townsend has lost the pissing plot!
— nigel (@Adamsul57084797) September 3, 2019
If he's leaving a genuine talent like Hutchison at home and taking Peter Horne, decent player and nice bloke that he is, Gregor Townsend has completely lost the plot.
— Douglas Jackson (@Dougwriter) September 3, 2019
Huw Jones misses out on WC squad: How the hell can a guy go from glory to not making the Scottish WC squad of 31 in a matter of months? Class is permanent, form temporary. It seems ludicrous that he has not made the squad But it also again highlights how… https://t.co/bu80uLmklJ
— RuckersForum (@RuckersForum) September 3, 2019
Where the fuck is Huw Jones? He was Scotland's best player in the last couple years https://t.co/E8pmZyJFMT
— TheScottishCannon (@ScottishCannon4) September 3, 2019
Couldn’t be anymore gutted for Huw Jones ? https://t.co/C28gE3qQJY
— McCallum (@EuanMcC11) September 3, 2019
Scotland will be hoping Peter Horne, Chris Harris, Duncan Taylor and Sam Johnson can fill the void as Huw Jones has been Scotland’s highest try-scorer since the last World Cup.
10 – No player has scored more tries for Scotland since the 2015 Rugby World Cup than Huw Jones (10, level with Stuart Hogg). Overlooked. pic.twitter.com/OQmwi1RQGX
— OptaJonny (@OptaJonny) September 3, 2019
Scotland coach Gregor Townsend explained the decision to omit both Jones and young centre Rory Hutchinson.
“Rory came very close, both him and Huw were debated for a long while on the flight back from Georgia.
“Rory did very well on Saturday night, he was comfortable on the ball but just missed out as he’s not had enough international experience.
“Both Rory and Huw are similar in terms of not having enough games at international level to force their way into the squad.
“Huw hasn’t had enough games playing well, or playing at all over the last few months.
“He’s looked in unbelievable shape in training but we haven’t seen enough in the game-and-a-half he’s had with us to get himself into that final squad.
“We know he’s on his way back to his best form but it just wasn’t enough.”
Gregor Townsend on pre-World Cup Scotland squad:
Comments on RugbyPass
Ardie is a legend. Finished and klaar. Two things: “Yeah, yeah, I have had a few conversations with Razor just around feedback on my game and what I am doing well, what I need to improve on or work-ons. It’s kind of been minimal, mate, but it’s all that I need over here in terms of how to be better, how to get better and what I am doing well.” I hope he’s downplaying it - and that it’s not “minimal”. The amount of communication and behind the scenes preparation the Bok coaches put into players - Rassie and co would be all over Ardie and being clear on what is expected of him. This stands out for me as something teams should really be looking at in terms of the boks success from a coaching point of view. And was surprised by the comment - “minimal”. In terms of the “debate” around Ireland and South Africa. Nice one Ardie. There’s no debate.
1 Go to commentsThere’s a bit of depth there but realistically Australian players have a long way to go to now catch up. The game is moving on fast and Australia are falling behind. Australian sides still don’t priories the breakdown like they should, it’s a non-negotiable if you want to compete on the international stage. That goes for forwards and backs. The Australian team could have a back row that could make a difference but the problem is they don’t have a tight five that can do the business. Tupou is limited in defence, overweight and unfit and the locks are a long way from international standard. Frost is soft and Salakai-Loto is too small so that means they need a Valentini at 8 who has to do the hard graft so limits the effectiveness of the backrow. Schmidt really needs to get a hard working, tough tight 5 if he wants to get this team firing.
3 Go to commentsSorry Morgan you must have been the “go to for a quote” ex player this week. Its rnd 6 and there is plenty of time to cement a starting 15 and finishing 8 so I have no such concerns.
2 Go to commentsGreat read. I wish you had done this article on the ROAR.
2 Go to commentsThe current AB coaching team is basically the Crusaders so it smacks of wanting their familiar leaders around. This is not a good look for the future of the ABs or the younger players in Super working their way up the player ladder. Razor is touted as innovative, forward looking but his early moves look like insecurity and insular, provincial thinking. He is the AB's coach not the Golden Oldies.
10 Go to commentsSimple reason for wanting him back. Robertson wants him as captain. Otherwise he wouldn’t be bothering chasing him. Not enough reason to come back just to mentor.
10 Go to commentsI had not considered this topic like this at all, brilliant read. I had been looking at his record at the Waratahs and thought it odd the Crusaders appointed him, then couple that with all that experience and talent departing and boom. They’ve got some great talent developing though, and in all honesty I don’t think anyone would be over confident taking them on in a playoff match, no matter how poor the first half of their season was. I think they can pull a game out of their ass when it counts.
2 Go to commentsNot a bad list but not Porecki and not Donaldson. Not because they are Tahs, or Ex Tahs, they are just not good enough. Edmed should be ahead. Far more potential. Wilson should be 8 and Valentini 6. Wilson needs to be told by his father and his coach, stop bloody running in to brick wall defence. You’re not playing under the genius Thorn any more. He’s a fantastic angle runner. The young new 8 from the Brumbies looks really good too. The Lonegrans are just too small for international rugby as is Paisami, as is Hamish Stewart at 12. Both great at Super Rugby level. Stewart could have been a great 10 if not for Brad Thorn. Uru should be there and so should Tupou. Tupou just needs good Australian coaching which he hasn’t been getting. I don’t think Schmidt will excite him.
3 Go to commentsIf he wants to come back then he should. He will be a major asset to the younger locks and could easily be played as an impact player off the bench coming on in the last 30. He is fit, strong and capable and has all the experience to make up for any loss in physical prowess. He could also be brought back with a view to coaching within the structures one day. Duane Vermeulen played until he was 37 or 38. He is now a roaming coach within the South African coaching structures. He was valuable in the last world cup and has been a major influence on Jasper Wiese and other young players which has helped and accelerated their development and growth. Whitelock could do the exact same thing for NZ
10 Go to commentsBrett Excellent words… finally someone (other than DC) has noted that Hanigan is very hard and very good at doing what Backrow should do… his performance via the Drua sauna was quite daunting for those on the other side… very high tackle count… carries with good end result… constant threat to make a good 20-25 meters with those long legs… providing his mass effectively to crunching the Drua pack… Finally he is returning to quality form… way to much injury time over the last 2 years… smart-strong-competent in his skills… caught every lineout throw aimed at him and delivered clean pass to whoever was down below… and he worked hard for the whole 80 minutes… Ned has to be in the top 5 for backrow honors… He knows what is required as he has been there before…
20 Go to commentsI think Sam Whitelock should not touch a return with a bargepole. He went out on a high, playing in the RWC Final. He would be coming back into a team that will be weaker than last years, and might even be struggling to win games, especially against the Boks. Stay in France, enjoy another year with Pau, playing alongside his brother.
10 Go to commentsRyan Coxon has been very impressive considering he was signed by WF as injury cover whilst Uru has been a standout for QR, surprised neither of those mentioned
3 Go to commentsIt’s the massive value he brings with regard team culture/values, preparation, etc. Can’t buy that. I’m hoping to see the young locks get their chance in the big games though.
10 Go to commentsAll good, Gregor, except that you neglected to mention Sam Darry amongst that talented pool of locks. In fact, given Hannah’s inexperience and the fact that Holland won’t be eligible until next year, Lord and Darry might be the frontrunners this year, to join Barrett, Tuipoluto, Va’ii and possibly Whitelock. In fact there might be room for all of them if Barrett played 6 (like Ollie Chessum).
10 Go to commentsHis value is stabilizing the ship 20 - 40 minutes out from the final whistle plus his valuable experience to the underlings coming through.
10 Go to commentsWhat is criminal is she acts like it's no problem her actions have have cause the Italian player to lose her playing career, lose salary, if she did this in day to day life she would be in jail, she is a complete thug!!!
3 Go to commentsCorrect me if i’m wrong but the sadas have to win all games running into the finals yeh nah?
1 Go to commentsDon’t like Diamond but the maul is a joke, the sight of a choke tackle creating a maul then players in offside positions flopping on it killing the ball but then getting the put in? Banal.
3 Go to commentsHopefully Tabai Matson returns to Crusaders as head coach next season.
1 Go to commentsstorm in a teacup really. Penalty only so play on as the try was scored. Now the real question is: why was Maitland allowed to pass the ball off the floor? That is illegal but refs never pick it up.
1 Go to comments