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Scotland player ratings versus Ireland

By Ian Cameron
Finn Russell will not return to the Scotland squad for their game against England

Reporting from Yokohama

A day to forget for Scottish Rugby, who went behind early and stayed there. For much of the match it looked like a Tier 1 versus Tier 2 game, such was the divide between the sides.

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Seven players that started in Scotland’s quarter-final defeat against Australia at RWC 2015 started today, but the heroics of that tournament seemed a distant memory.

“When you go behind against a team like Ireland, who are very good at staying in front, then it’s always going to be difficult and it was obviously very difficult in the second half with the rain,” Gregor Townsend told the post-match press conference. He wasn’t wrong.

Here’s our Scotland player ratings versus Ireland.

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1. Allan Dell

Hard to fault the front row who enjoyed parity with Ireland at scrum time. Scrummaged well but was on the back foot for most of the game.

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2. Stuart McInally (capt.)

Won a potentially try-saving turnover in front of his own post in the 32nd minute. His darts were accurate too. Slightly worryingly, Townsend said that the hooker was out of breath in the press conference following the defeat, which McInally didn’t attend.

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3. Willem Nel

The Scotland scrum (and lineout) was on point despite systems failures elsewhere. Managed a remarkable 15 tackles, which was as much testament to the dominance of Joe Schmidt’s men in the first 40 minutes.

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4. Grant Gilchrist

Part of a pack that was monstered upfront by the Irish in the first half. Was outshone by the efforts of Iain Henderson and James Ryan. Very nearly linked up well with a basketball-style passage of play in a 36th minute. Got turned over with the Irish line beckoning with ten minutes to go.

5

5. Jonny Gray

Containment was the name of the game for Gray and he tackled his heart out. Is there more to come from the not so young anymore Scottish lock? Scotland desperately need him in his best form and not just the tackling machine version.

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5

6. John Barclay

Spent his afternoon tackling Irishmen. Knocked the ball on in a promising attack position for the Scots in the 49th minute. Worryingly was brought off in the 52nd.

5

7. Hamish Watson

Looks like a potential tournament ending injury for the openside just before halftime. Aside from one impressive 8-metre carry and 13 tackle in less one half, he never got an opportunity to truly show off his considerable wares. A big loss to Scotland and the RWC generally if his tournament is over.

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8. Ryan Wilson

Played the full 80 but struggled opposite MOTM CJ Stander. With 13 metres from 8 carries, a Scottish Billy Vunipola he is not. An uncompromising player but Scotland need more from their No.8.

5

9. Greig Laidlaw

Gregor Townsend clearly favours the experience of Laidlaw for big games, but his lack of a break and the unhurried nature of his service doesn’t offer Scotland much scope in their attack. His box kicking was okay.

5

10. Finn Russell

Survived a Bundee Aki smash tackle in the 20th, which actually left the New Zealand born centre needing a HIA. Moments later tested Jacob Stockdale’s corner with a kick and found the Irish wing wanting. Struggled under immense Irish defensive pressure.

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11. Sean Maitland

Got away with a late hit on Murray early doors. In the 29th minute turned over after a promising attacking move up the flank. Got beaten in a straight one on one with Conway in the 38th minute. A good break in the 46th minute shouldn’t stop him being replaced by Darcy Graham.

4

12. Sam Johnson

The former League player had limited opportunity to shine and generally didn’t. He doesn’t seem to read Finn Russell well in attack, running frustrating dud lines in his flyhalf’s wake. He runs and tackles hard, but struggles but like many league converts before him, seeming to lack the nuance needed to play centre in rugby union.

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13. Duncan Taylor

The Saracen struggled to play his way into the game, and was largely limited to shovelling balls out wide. Knocked on the ball early in the secondhalf, albeit in torrential conditions. With Hugh Jones left at home there will many eyes on Taylor, today’s performance will do nothing for his case.

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14. Tommy Seymour

As you’d expect the Lions wing looked dangerous with ball in hand. As a back three unit Scotland struggled to contain an inform Conway. Was replaced by Darcy Graham.

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15. Stuart Hogg

Kept busy during the opening salvo with two early carries. After outsprinting Andrew Conway following a kick ahead, the Scottish fullback did his best to deal with a tricky bounce of the ball which rebounded against the post. Through no real fault of his own, it would gift Ireland a 5-metre scrum, which resulted in the men in green rumbling over a minute later. Emptied ball and all by Stockdale in the 35th minute before being stepped by powerful Ulsterman two minutes later. His massive boot helped relieve Irish pressure in the second half.

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16. Fraser Brown

Made seven tackles and five carries after coming on for McInally. Still n

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17. Gordon Reid

Got in the way out wide several times when for some reason the ball was passed to him. He’s not designed for that.

5

18. Simon Berghan

Came on for WP Nel in 52nd minute and held up his side of the bargain at scrum time.

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19. Scott Cummings

Didn’t get on the ball once but did enough off the ball to warrant a rating.

5

20. Blade Thomson

Was part of a modest Scottish forward revival in the second half.

21. Ali Price

Was an improvement on Laidlaw despite the mucky conditions.

6

22. Chris Harris

Played his part in a number of Scottish attacks that were foiled by knock-ons. Came out of the line looking for big hits when maintaining the blue line may have been preferable. Made a beautiful offload in the 69th minute that deserved a try.

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23. Darcy Graham

Not an ideal situation to be plunged into. He kept busy but the torrential conditions meant it wasn’t a day for bleach blonde 12 stone wingers.

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john 30 minutes ago
Will the Crusaders' decline spark a slow death for New Zealand rugby?

But here in Australia we were told Penney was another gun kiwi coach, for the Tahs…….and yet again it turned out the kiwi coach was completely useless. Another con job on Australian rugby. As was Robbie Deans, as was Dave Rennie. Both coaches dumped from NZ and promoted to Australia as our saviour. And the Tahs lap them up knowing they are second rate and knowing that under pressure when their short comings are exposed in Australia as well, that they will fall in below the largest most powerful province and choose second rate Tah players to save their jobs. As they do and exactly as Joe Schmidt will do. Gauranteed. Schmidt was dumped by NZ too. That’s why he went overseas. That why kiwi coaches take jobs in Australia, to try and prove they are not as bad as NZ thought they were. Then when they get found out they try and ingratiate themselves to NZ again by dragging Australian teams down with ridiculous selections and game plans. NZ rugby’s biggest problem is that it can’t yet transition from MCaw Cheatism. They just don’t know how to try and win on your merits. It is still always a contest to see how much cheating you can get away with. Without a cheating genius like McCaw, they are struggling. This I think is why my wise old mate in NZ thinks Robertson will struggle. The Crusaders are the nursery of McCaw Cheatism. Sean Fitzpatrick was probably the father of it. Robertson doesn’t know anything else but other countries have worked it out.

13 Go to comments
A
Adrian 2 hours ago
Will the Crusaders' decline spark a slow death for New Zealand rugby?

Thanks Nick The loss of players to OS, injury and retirement is certainly not helping the Crusaders. Ditto the coach. IMO Penny is there to hold the fort and cop the flak until new players and a new coach come through,…and that's understood and accepted by Penny and the Crusaders hierarchy. I think though that what is happening with the Crusaders is an indicator of what is happening with the other NZ SRP teams…..and the other SRP teams for that matter. Not enough money. The money has come via the SR competition and it’s not there anymore. It's in France, Japan and England. Unless or until something is done to make SR more SELLABLE to the NZ/Australia Rugby market AND the world rugby market the $s to keep both the very best players and the next rung down won't be there. They will play away from NZ more and more. I think though that NZ will continue to produce the players and the coaches of sufficient strength for NZ to have the capacity to stay at the top. Whether they do stay at the top as an international team will depend upon whether the money flowing to SRP is somehow restored, or NZ teams play in the Japan comp, or NZ opts to pick from anywhere. As a follower of many sports I’d have to say that the organisation and promotion of Super Rugby has been for the last 20 years closest to the worst I’ve ever seen. This hasn't necessarily been caused by NZ, but it’s happened. Perhaps it can be fixed, perhaps not. The Crusaders are I think a symptom of this, not the cause

13 Go to comments
T
Trevor 5 hours ago
Will forgotten Wallabies fit the Joe Schmidt model?

Thanks Brett.. At last a positive article on the potential of Wallaby candidates, great to read. Schmidt’s record as an international rugby coach speaks for itself, I’m somewhat confident he will turn the Wallaby’s fortunes around …. on the field. It will be up to others to steady the ship off the paddock. But is there a flaw in my optimism? We have known all along that Australia has the players to be very competitive with their international rivals. We know that because everyone keeps telling us. So why the poor results? A question that requires a definitive answer before the turn around can occur. Joe Schmidt signed on for 2 years, time to encompass the Lions tour of 2025. By all accounts he puts family first and that’s fair enough, but I would wager that his 2 year contract will be extended if the next 18 months or so shows the statement “Australia has the players” proves to be correct. The new coach does not have a lot of time to meld together an outfit that will be competitive in the Rugby Championship - it will be interesting to see what happens. It will be interesting to see what happens with Giteau law, the new Wallaby coach has already verbalised that he would to prefer to select from those who play their rugby in Australia. His first test in charge is in July just over 3 months away .. not a long time. I for one wish him well .. heaven knows Australia needs some positive vibes.

21 Go to comments
B
Bull Shark 9 hours ago
Jake White: Are modern rugby players actually better?

Of the rugby I’ve born witness to in my lifetime - 1990 to date - I recognize great players throughout those years. But I have no doubt the game and the players are on average better today. So I doubt going back further is going to prove me wrong. The technical components of the game, set pieces, scrums, kicks, kicks at goal. And in general tactics employed are far more efficient, accurate and polished. Professional athletes that have invested countless hours on being accurate. There is one nation though that may be fairly competitive in any era - and that for me is the all blacks. And New Zealand players in general. NZ produces startling athletes who have fantastic ball skills. And then the odd phenomenon like Brooke. Lomu. Mcaw. Carter. Better than comparing players and teams across eras - I’ve often had this thought - that it would be very interesting to have a version of the game that is closer to its original form. What would the game look like today if the rules were rolled back. Not rules that promote safety obviously - but rules like: - a try being worth 1 point and conversion 2 points. Hence the term “try”. Earning a try at goals. Would we see more attacking play? - no lifting in the lineouts. - rucks and break down laws in general. They looked like wrestling matches in bygone eras. I wonder what a game applying 1995 rules would look like with modern players. It may be a daft exercise, but it would make for an interesting spectacle celebrating “purer” forms of the game that roll back the rules dramatically by a few versions. Would we come to learn that some of the rules/combinations of the rules we see today have actually made the game less attractive? I’d love to see an exhibition match like that.

29 Go to comments
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