Scotland player ratings vs Italy
Scotland player ratings: Gregor Townsend’s men came into the Wooden Spoon decider knowing a win was a must, not just for team morale, but potentially with regards to ramifications for his own position.
A watchable first half descended into unwatchable dross in the second, but it’s telling that Scotland ended on the verge of a bonus point and having nilled Italy. If scoreboards don’t lie and all that.
Here’s our Scotland player ratings:
15. STUART HOGG CAPT 8
The Hogg cannon was booming in Rome. His resplendent 22nd minute solo effort – which spanned some 40 metres of the pitch – is a contender for try of the season. It clearly meant tonnes to him too. Asked questions everytime he had ball in hand.
Worth waiting for… What a score from Scotland skipper @StuartWHOGG_!#ITAvSCO #GuinnessSixNations pic.twitter.com/wrWhSXSlKI
— Guinness Six Nations (@SixNationsRugby) February 22, 2020
14. SEAN MAITLAND 5.5
The Tokoroa born wing needed a big game after failing to make a mark in the tournament to date. He started brightly too, with a telling hit on Italian 9 Braley. Carried competently and contested aerially. Still, at 31, and with Scotland at the start of an RWC cycle, one wonders if it’s time to give someone else an opportunity.
Continue reading below…
WATCH: Darren Cave joins Jim Hamilton in this week’s episode of Don’t Mess With Jim to discuss the Weekend’s blockbuster, England vs Ireland at Twickenham.
13. CHRIS HARRIS 7
Deserved a shot after two fairly meh performances from Huw Jones. A big physical presence and he defended extremely well. Great rip on Minozzi in the 36th minute. Took his try well. Left for a HIA.
No stopping him…@Scotlandteam's relentless pressure is rewarded with an excellent try for centre Chris Harris#ITAvSCO #GuinnessSixNations pic.twitter.com/CuXXTYKRmd
— Guinness Six Nations (@SixNationsRugby) February 22, 2020
12. SAM JOHNSON 5.5
Italian sides typically defend well against more direct, less elusive centres like Johnson, and he was kept quiet today.
11. BLAIR KINGHORN 6
Where was the fired-up strike runner who shined despite the wind and rain of Murrayfield two weeks previously? A relatively quiet day at the office for the only player to rack up three tries for Scotland in a Six Nations match.
“They’re talking about wanting to be the best team ever, all these things, so they’re in a different stage of their path or whatever you want to call it than they were then." #ENGvIRE https://t.co/smErAZLS0I
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) February 22, 2020
10. ADAM HASTINGS 6
Messed up his first kick at the sticks. Was content to shovel ball out and seemed reluctant to take the ball to the line with any real venom. Ran through a massive gap in the 53rd minute but lost possession which saw the Italians make their way to the Scottish tryline. Grabbed a late try but in truth it was maybe his least impressive game of the tournament so far.
9. ALI PRICE 6
Won his positional battle with the less experienced Callum Braley.
1. RORY SUTHERLAND 7.5
Won back to back penalties in the 6th and 9th minute respectively against giant young Italian tighthead Giosuè Zilocchi. However, the entrance of Marco Riccioni meant the Scots didn’t have it all their own way.
2. STUART MCINALLY 6
Back starting for Scotland, the vice-captain will have been eager to put down a marker. Solid darts but his trademark carrying wasn’t on show today.
3. ZANDER FAGERSON 6
A 4th-minute penalty was an ominous sign for the Glaswegian tighthead, but Scottish fans needed have worried. Got the best of the scrum, although Ben O’Keefe might as well have been tossing a coin at scrumtime.
4. BEN TOOLIS 6
Represented Australia’s youth teams in volleyball but chose to pursue a career in rugby. He’s taken that skillset to the Scottish lineout. Tackled well in the absence of Jonny Gray.
5. SCOTT CUMMINGS 6
One of eight players to have made their test debut for Scotland in 2019 and one of three to have been
included in their RWC 2019 squad. Today, he was one of a number of Scottish players to give away soft penalties. There’s more in him.
6. JAMIE RITCHIE 7.5
He and Watson are an awesome pairing over the ball and in presenting a turnover threat to opposition ball carriers. Scotland turned over Italy 11 times in the first half, and Ritchie and Watson were responsible for the majority of those. Unlucky to fumble with the line beckoning.
7. HAMISH WATSON 8
The dry track suited Watson, who’s maybe the most dangerous attacking openside in the World Rugby at the minute. Italy simply couldn’t deal with him nor fellow ruck troll Ritchie. Nearly responsible for two try assists which on another day might have panned out.
8. MAGNUS BRADBURY 6
Knocked it on with the Italian line beckoning in the 7th minute. With Blade Thomson injured and veteran Ryan Wilson waiting in the wings, you feel Bradbury needs to do more to prove himself as a long term solution at No.8. He didn’t quite do that here.
SUBSTITUTES:
16. FRASER BROWN 5
Dropped in favour of Stuart McInally. A solid outing in a match that just wanted to end at that stage.
17. ALLAN DELL 5
Part of 5 changes made in the 55th minute. Didn’t have much to do other than the odd tackle and some ruck inspection.
18. WILLEM NEL 5
Hard to rate with the game having lost all structure and momentum.
19. GRANT GILCHRIST 7
Was largely left to tackling duties as the Italian enjoyed an extended period of possession in the second half. A fantastic turnover led to Hasting’s last try.
20. MATT FAGERSON 6
Came on for Bradbury and there was time for some industry and graft, but no fancy stuff.
21. GEORGE HORNE 6
You fancy this game could suit the electric Horne were he to get a run, but the game had become irredeemably scrappy by the time he was on. Did manage at least one trademark break.
22. RORY HUTCHINSON 6
The Saint looked to make stuff happen but his opportunity was pretty limited.
23. BYRON MCGUIGAN NA
Comments on RugbyPass
Lets compare apples with apples. Lyon sent weak team the week before, but nobody raised an eyebrow. Give the South African teams a few years to build their depth, then you will be moaning that the teams are too strong.
41 Go to commentsDid footballs agents also perform the scout role at some time? I’m surprised more high profile players haven’t taken up the occupation, great way to remain in the game and use all that experience without really requiring a lot of specific expertise?
1 Go to commentsSuper rugby is struggling but that has little to do with sabbaticals. 1. Too many teams from Aust and NZ - should be 3 and 4 respectively, add in 2 from Japan, 1 possibly 2 from Argentina. 2. Inconsistent and poor refereeing, admittedly not restricted to Super rugby. Only one team was reffed at the breakdown in Reds v H’Landers match. Scrum penalty awarded in Canes v Drua when No 8 had the ball in the open with little defence nearby - ideal opportunity to play advantage. Coming back to Reds match - same scrum situation but ref played advantage - Landers made 10 yards and were penalised at the breakdown when the ref should have returned to scrum penalty. 3. Marketing is weak and losing ground to AFL and NRL. Playing 2 days compared with 4. 4. Scheduling is unattractive to family attendance. Have any franchises heard of Sundays 2pm?
10 Go to commentsAbsolutely..all they need is a chance in yhe playoffs and I bet all the other teams will be nervous…THEY KNOW HOW TO WIN IM THE PLAYOFFS..
2 Go to commentsI really hope he comes back and helps out with some coaching.
1 Go to commentsI think we are all just hoping that the Olympic 7s doesn’t suffer the same sad fate as the last RWC with the officials ruining the spectacle.
1 Go to commentsPersonally, I’ve lost the will to even be bothered about the RFU, the structure, the participants. It’s all a sham. I now simply enjoy getting a group of friends together to go and watch a few games a year in different locations (including Europe, the championship, etc). I feel extremely sorry for the real fans of these clubs who are constantly ignored by the RFU and other administrators. I feel especially sorry for the fans of clubs in the Championship who have had considerable central funding stripped away and are then expected to just take whatever the RFU put to them. Its all a sham, especially if the failed clubs are allowed to return.
9 Go to commentsI’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.
10 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.
9 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…??? 🤑🤑🤑
35 Go to commentsWow, that’s incredible. Great for rugby.
35 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?
5 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 comments