Scotland player ratings vs Japan
It would be churlish to judge Scotland too harshly after another titanic chapter in Japanese rugby history.
The red and whites were great value for their win.
Scotland made 12 changes to the team which beat Russia earlier this week. Fraser Brown, Darcy Graham and Tommy Seymour are the only players selected for the starting XV who started earlier this week.
Seven players returned to the starting XV having been left out of the 23 altogether in midweek: Allan Dell, Jonny Gray, Blade Thomson, Greig Laidlaw, Finn Russell, Sam Johnson and Stuart Hogg.
Here’s how we rated the Scottish players.
1. ALLAN DELL
Executed an important tackle that led to a turnover in the 3rd minute. The lightweight prop struggled badly at scrum time however. Was angry at Ben O’Keefe, who seemed to blame the loosehead for Scotland’s scrum woes.
5
2. FRASER BROWN
Brown switched from flanker back to hooker for Scotland’s final pool phase match. Tried to milk a card after getting smashed by Kazuki Himeno, which wasn’t a good look.
5
3. WILLEM NEL
Made 14 tackles in the first half alone. Worked so, so hard. Part of a Scotland scrum under the pump- although they improved in secondhalf. Deserved his try that ignited a Scottish fightback.
6
The IRFU are not happy. #RWC2019 https://t.co/n7XpSu9K9l
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) October 13, 2019
4. GRANT GILCHRIST
Made a nuisance of himself all evening, but out-goosed by smaller and more efficient Japanese opponents.
5.5
5. JONNY GRAY
The Glasgow lock was everywhere, tackling all in front of him and getting through a mountain of work. Lucky to get away with an accidental head-on-head hit on Shota Horie. Threw the assist for Fagerson’s try.
7.5
6. MAGNUS BRADBURY
He and Gilchrist missed a telling tackle on Matsushima in the lead up to second Japanese try. Scotland needed his power on both sides of the ball, but it was only there in fits and starts.
5
7. JAMIE RITCHIE
Scotland’s outstanding forward. Huge if questionable turnover in the 11th minute with Japan on the Scottish try line. Did everything he could and deserves the least amount of blame.
8.5
8. BLADE THOMSON
Fell off too many tackles. Looked anonymous for much of the game. A few athletic carries were the highlight of the rather minor role he played in proceedings.
4.5
Japan get the win in an incredible performance #JPNvSCO #RWC2019 pic.twitter.com/ZTlunoovxE
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) October 13, 2019
9. GREIG LAIDLAW (CAPT.)
Laidlaw being named captain for the fifth time at a Rugby World Cup equaled the Scotland record held by David Sole and Bryan Redpath. Spent 52 minutes on the back foot before left the field looking pretty pissed off.
6
10. FINN RUSSELL
An early block down of a kick didn’t faze him, brilliantly scampering through for a try in the 5th minute. Looked to play ball and didn’t lack for endeavour despite the magnitude of the mountain Scotland were climbing in the secondhalf.
6.5
11. DARCY GRAHAM
Bit in leaving Scotland exposed in the 18th minute, leading to Japan’s first try. A costly mistake. Looked defensively naive at times.
5
12. SAM JOHNSON
Part of a midfield that was completely harried and outplayed by their opposite numbers. Needed to stand-up but he just didn’t get the opportunity.
4
13. CHRIS HARRIS
The lone bright spark in the midfield. Made metres whenever he got on the ball and made a few decent breakaways.
6.5
14. TOMMY SEYMOUR
Tried to make things happen on the odd opportunity he got the ball. Had a quiet tournament by his own high standards.
5.5
15. STUART HOGG
Poor. Did not look himself with multiple missed tackles and seeming inability to play himself into the game.
4
16. STUART MCINALLY
Brought huge energy to the game. Question has to be asked: why didn’t he start?
7
17. GORDON REID
Scrums were noticeably better with Reid and Fagerson on.
7
18. ZANDER FAGERSON
Deserves huge credit for being there to receive the pass from Gray for his 55th minute try.
8
19. SCOTT CUMMINGS
Looked eager and willing when he came on and played a crucial part in Fagerson’s try.
7
20. RYAN WILSON
NA
21.GEORGE HORNE
Scotland improved markably when he came on. He gave them the impetus and speed they lacked for the first 52 minutes.
7
22. PETE HORNE
Did a decent job chasing the game. Challenging game to come into.
6
23. BLAIR KINGHORN
Put pressure on the Japanese in his short time on the pitch.
6
Comments on RugbyPass
It couldn’t have been Ryan Crotty. He wasn’t selected in either World Cup side - they chose Money Bill instead. And Money Bill only cared about himself, and that manager he had, not the team.
25 Go to commentsYawn 🥱 nobody would give a hoot about this new trophy. End of the day we just have to beat Ireland and NZ this year then they can finally shut up 🤐
13 Go to commentsTalking bout Ryan Crotty? Heard Crotty say in a interview once that SBW doesen't care about the team . He went on to say that whenever they lost a big game, SBW would be happy as if nothing happened, according to him someone who cares would look down.. Personally I think Crotty is in the wrong, not for feeling gutted but for expecting others 2 be like him… I have been a bad loser forever as it matters so much to me but good on you SBW for being able to see the bigger picture….
25 Go to commentsThis sounds like a WWE idea so Americans can also get excited about rugby, RUGBY NEEDS A INTERNATIONAL CALENDER .. The rugby Championship and Six Nations can be held at same time, top 3 of six nations and top 3 of Rugby championship (6 nations should include Georgia AND another qualifying country while Fiji, Japan and Samoa/Tonga qualifier should make out 6 Southern teams).. Scrap June internationals and year end tours. Have a Elite top six Cup and the Bottom 6 in a secondary comp….
13 Go to commentsThe rugby championship would be even stronger with Fiji in it… I know it doesen’t fit the long term plans of NZ or Aus but you are robbing a whole nation of being able to see their best players play for Fiji…. Every second player in NZ and AUS teams has Fijian surnames… shame on you!!! World rugby won’t step in either as France and England has now also joined in…. I guess where money is involved it will always be the poor countries missing out….
77 Go to commentsNo surprise there. How hard can it be to pick a ball off the ground and chuck it to a mate? 😂
2 Go to commentsSometimes people just like a moan mate!
1 Go to commentsexcellent idea ! rugby needs this 💪
13 Go to comments9 Brumbies! What a joke! The best performing team in Oz! Ditch Skelton for Swain or Neville. Ryan Lonergan ahead of McDermott any day! Best selection bolter is Toole … amazing player
12 Go to commentsI like this, but ultimately rugby already has enough trophies. Trying to make more games “consequential" might prove to be a fools errand, although this is a less bad idea than some others. Minor quibble with the title of the article; it isn’t very meaningful to say the boks are the unofficial world champions when it would be functionally impossible for the Raeburn trophy not to be held by the world champions. There’s a period of a few months every 4 years when there is no “unofficial” world champion, and the Raeburn trophy is held by the actual world champions.
13 Go to commentsIts a great idea but one that I dont think will have a lot of traction. It will depend on the prestige that they each hold but if you can do that it would be great. When Japan beat the Boks (my team) I was absolutely devestated but I wont deny the great game they played that day. We were outclassed and it was one of the best games of rugby I have seen. Using an idea like this you might just give the the underdog teams more of an opportunity to beat the big teams and I can absolutely see it being a brilliant display of rugby. They beat us because they planned for that game. It was a great moment for Japan. This way we can remove the 4 year wait and give teams something to aim for outside of World Cup years.
13 Go to commentsHi, Dave here. Happy to answer questions 🥰
13 Go to commentsDon’t think that headline is accurate. It’s great to see Aus doing better but I’m not sure they’ve shown much threat to the top of the table. They shouldn’t be inflating wins against the lousy Highlanders and Crusaders either.
3 Go to commentsSuch a shame Roigard and Aumua picked up long term injuries, probably the two form players in the comp. Also, pretty sure Clarke Dermody isn’t their coach. Got it half right though.
3 Go to commentsOh the Aussie media, they never learn. At least Andrew Kellaway is like “Woah, yeah it’s great, but settle down there guys” having endured years of the Aussie media, fans, and often their players getting ahead of themselves only to fall flat on their faces. Have the “We'll win the Bledisloe for sure this year!” headlines started yet? It’s simple to see what’s going on. The Aussie teams are settled, they didn't lose any of their major players overseas. The Crusaders and Chiefs lost key experienced All Blacks, and Razor in the Crusaders case, and clearly neither are anywhere near as strong as last year (The Canes and Blues would probably be 3rd & 4th if they were). The Highlanders are annually average, even more so post-Aaron Smith and a big squad clean out. The two teams at the top? The two nz sides with largely the same settled roster as last year, except Ardie Savea for the Canes. They’ve both got far better coaches now too. If the Aussies are going to win the title, this is the year the kiwi sides will be weakest, so they better take their chance.
3 Go to commentsThe World Cup has to be the gold standard, line in the sand. 113 teams compete for what is the opportunity to make the pool stages, and then the knockout games for the trophy. The concept is sound. This must have been the rationale when the World Cup was created, surely? But I’m all for Looking forward and finding new ways for the SH to dominate the NH into the future. The autumn series needs a change up. Let’s start by having the NH teams come south every odd year for the Autumn/Spring series games?
13 Go to commentsWhat’ll happen when the AI models of the future go back in time and try to destroy the AI models of the past standing in their way of certain victory?
44 Go to commentsThanks, Nick. We (Seanny Maloney, Brett and I) just discussed Charlie as a potential Wallaby No 8, and wondered if he has truly realised how big he is in contact (and whether he can add 5 kg w/o slowing down). Your scouting report confirms our suspicions he has the materiel. No one knows if he has the mentality (as Johann van Graan said this week about CJ, Duane and Alfie B) to carry 10-15 times a game.
57 Go to commentsHe would be a great player for the Stormers, Dobbo should approach the guy.
3 Go to commentsGood article. A few years back when he was playing for the Cheetahs, he was a quiet standout for exactly the seasons stated here. I occasionally get to see his games in the UK, and he has become a more complete player and in many ways like an Irish player. His work ethic is so suitable to the Leinster game. I wonder if Rassie would have him listed somewhere.
3 Go to comments