Scotland player ratings versus Ireland
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.
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.
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.
5
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.
6
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.
5
Ireland's backs got a read on everything Scotland throwing at them.?#IREvSCO #RWC2019 pic.twitter.com/qMtgtnPtPb
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) September 22, 2019
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.
6
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
FT in Yokohama?? #RWC2019 #IREvsSCO
Match Centre – https://t.co/m8gok2VfkW pic.twitter.com/IjsigujXpi
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) September 22, 2019
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.
6
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.
4
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.
5
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.
6
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.
6
16. Fraser Brown
Made seven tackles and five carries after coming on for McInally. Still n
6
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.
6
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.
6
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.
6
Comments on RugbyPass
I’m guessing Carl Hayman would have preferred to have stayed in NZ with benefit of hindsight. Up north there is the expectation to play twice as many games with far less ‘player management’ protocols that Paul is now criticising. Less playing through concussions means longer, healthier, careers. Carter used as the eg here by Paul, his sabbatical allowed him to play until age 37. OK its not an exact science but there is far more expectations on players who sign for Top 14 or Engl Prem clubs to get value for the huge salaries. NZR get alot wrong but keeping their best players in NZ rugby is not one of them. SA clubs are virtually devoid of their top players now, no thanks. They cant threaten the big teams in the Champions Cup, the squads have little depth. Cant see Canes/Chiefs struggling. Super has been great this year, fantastic high skill matches. Drua a fantastic addition and Jaguares will add another quality team eventually. Aus teams performing strongly and no doubt will benefit with the incentive of a Lions tour and a home RWC. Let Jordie enjoy his time with Leinster, it will allow the opportunity for another player to emerge at Canes in his absence.
4 Go to commentsLove that man, his way to despise angry little men is so funny ! 😂
4 Go to comments“South African franchises would be powerhouses if we had all our overseas based players back in situ. We would have the same unbeatable aura the Toulouses, Leinsters or Saracens of this world have had over the last decade or so.” Proof that Jake white does not understand the economics of the game in SA. Players earning abroad are not going to simply come back and represent the bulls. But they might if they have a springbok contract.
22 Go to commentsA lot of fans just joined in for the fun of it! We all admire O'Gara and what he has done for La Rochelle
4 Go to commentsThe RFU will find a way to mess this up as usual. My bet is there will be no promotion into the the Premiership, only relegation into National League One. Hopefully they won’t parachute failed clubs into the league at the expense of clubs who have battled for promotion.
6 Go to commentsWell that’s the contracts for RG and Jordie bought and paid for. Now, what are the chances we can persuade Antoine to hop over with all the extra dosh we’ll have from living at the Aviva & Croke next season…??? 🤑🤑🤑
8 Go to commentsWow, that’s incredible. Great for rugby.
8 Go to commentsYou probably read that parling is going to coach the wallaby lineout but if not before now you have.
14 Go to commentsIf someone like Leo Cullen was in O’Gara’s place I don’t hear Boo-ing. It’s not just that La Rochelle has hurt Leinster and O’Gara is their Irish boss. It’s the needle that he brings and the pantomime activity before the game around pretending that Munster were supporting LaRochelle just because O’Gara is from Cork. That’s dividing Irish provinces just to get an advantage for his French Team. He can F*ck right off with that. BOOOOO! (but not while someone is lying injured)
4 Go to commentsDid the highlanders party too hard before the game? They were the pits.
1 Go to commentsWhat a player! Not long until he’s in the England side, surely?
2 Go to commentsHe seems to have the same aura as Marcus Smith - by which I mean he’s consistently judged as if he’s several years younger than he actually is. Mngomezulu has played 24 times for the Stormers. When Pollard was his age he had played 24 times for South Africa! He has more time to develop, but he has also had time to do some developing already, and he hasn’t demonstrated nearly as much talent in that time as one would expect. If he is a generational talent, then it must be a pretty poor generation.
6 Go to commentsThe greatest Springbok coach of all time is entirely on the money. Rassie and Jacques have given the south african public a great few years, but the success of the springbok selection policy will need to be judged in light of what comes next. The poor condition that the provincial system is currently in doesn’t bode well for the next few years of international rugby, and the insane 2026 schedule that the Boks have lined up could also really harm both provincial and international consistency.
22 Go to commentsJake White is a brilliant coach and a master in the press. This is another masterclass in media relations and PR but its also a very narrow view with arguments that dont always hold water. White wants his team to win, he wants the best players in SA and wants his team competitive. You however have to face up to the reality of a poor exchange rate and big clubs with big budgets. SA Rugby cant compete and unless it can find more money SA players will keep leaving regardless of Springbok eligibility and this happened in 2015 - 2017. Also rugby is not cricket. Cricket has 3 formats and T20 cricket is where the money is at. When it comes to club vs country the IPL is king but that wont happen because the international calendar does not clash with the club calendar in rugby. So the argument about rugby going down the same path as cricket is really a non-starter
22 Go to commentsNZ rugby seem not to have learnt anything from professional rugby. Super rugby was dying and SA left before they died with the competition. SA rugby did a u turn on their approach to international players playing overseas and such players are now selected for Bok teams. As much as each country would love to retain their players playing in local competitions, this is the way the world is evolving my friends. Move with it or stay 20 years behind the times. One more thing. NZ rugby hierarchy think they are the big cheese. Take a more humble approach guys. You do not seem to have your players best interests at heart.
4 Go to commentsBeaches? In Cardiff? Where?
1 Go to commentsHe is right , the Crusaders will be a threat. Scott Barrett, ( particularly), Fergus Burke , Codie Taylor, ( from sabbatical) etc due back soon for the Crusaders. There are others like Zach Gallagher too. People can right the Crusaders off, Top 8 , here we come !!
1 Go to commentsWe will always struggle for money to match the other sides but the least the WRU can do is invest properly in Welsh rugby. Too much has been squandered on vanity projects like the hotel and roof walk amongst others which will never see a massive return. Hanging the 4 pro sides out to dry over the last decade is now coming back to bite the WRU financially as well as on the pitch. You reap what you sow.
1 Go to commentsWhat do you get if you cross a doctor with a fish? A plastic sturgeon
14 Go to commentsWhat happened to feleti Kaitu’u? Hasnt played in a while right?
1 Go to comments