Scotland player ratings vs Romania | Rugby World Cup 2023
Scotland player ratings: Scotland set-up a qualification decider with Ireland in Paris next Saturday after crushing Romania in Lille.
Despite making 13 changes from the team that beat Tonga a week ago, Gregor Townsend’s side brushed aside the Romanians.
Darcy Graham led the way with four tries, while there were excellent performances from Cameron Redpath, Ben Healy and Hamish Watson in 12-try rout.
All roads now lead to Paris where Scotland will have to topple Andy Farrell’s side if they are to make the last eight.
15. Ollie Smith – 7
The Glasgow man showed great intelligence for his try after a searing counter-attack. Should have scored on the half-hour from Price’s wide pass.
14. Darcy Graham – 8.5
Set the tone with a first-half hat-trick and more than 240m made with ball in hand. The Edinburgh wing also made the telling incision for Price to score, then rounded off a superb display with his fourth late on.
13. Chris Harris – 7
Made good inroads in the edge in attack – including al ovely break for Graham’s third try, and an easy finish for his own scoe. Also won an excellent turnover penalty when Tomane made decent inroads into the Scotland 22.
12. Cam Redpath – 7.5
Showed good strength to regularly beat would-be tacklers. Also made an excellent carry before offloading to Watson for the opener.
11. Kyle Steyn – 7
Was off his wing looking for work regularly in the first half, but was quieter after the break.
10. Ben Healy – 8
Got Scotland’s attack working and deserved his try, albeit the Romanian resistance was scarce. Flawless too from the tee, the only blots to his card were two early missed kicks to touch.
9. Ali Price – 6.5
A solid if unspectacular outing that is unlikely to unseat White or Horne in the 23 to face Ireland. Crossed for his fifth international try in the first half.
1. Jamie Bhatti – 6.5
Scrummaged well, and was prominent in the build-up to the first try, but dropped two really simple passes. Twice denied a maiden Test try.
2. Ewan Ashman – 6.5
Lost the ball forward with the line at his mercy moments after being denied by Rosu’s indiscipline. A dodgy first lineout aside, the set-piece functioned well.
3. Javan Sebastian – 7
The big man put himself about on his first Scotland start. Carried well and was largely dominant at the scrum. He ought to have passed when Scotland had an early overlap and the tighthead fancied a rumble.
4. Sam Skinner – 7
His footballing skills in the loose were to the fore, while he played his part in a dominant forward effort. Could’ve done better from Graham’s early break.
5. Grant Gilchrist – 7
Worked hard to allow others to shine, and managed the lineout well. Might be one of those most unlucky if he misses out against Ireland.
6. Luke Crosbie – 6.5
Some decent early carrying put Scotland on the front foot, but he was quieter than his back-row pals.
7. Hamish Watson – 8
Looked like a man on a mission on his first appearance at this World Cup. Some savage carrying sat down more than one Romanian defender, and a lovely offload put Graham over for his first try.
8. Matt Fagerson – 7.5
Hit a lovely line to waltz between two tired Romanian defenders and score his third Test try on half-time. Another good break just before the hour where he might have found Horne on his inside.
Replacements
16. Johnny Matthews – 6.5
Ended a whirlwind couple of weeks with his international debut, and a maiden Test try. Then moments later threw a sublime offload for Darge’s try.
17. Rory Sutherland – 5
Quiet. Most notable involvement was the concession of a penalty just after Scotland had relieved pressure, and a couple of nice tip.
18. WP Nel – 6
Lost possession with his first involvement, but put his shoulder in defensively to good effect late on.
19. Scott Cummings – 6.5
Replaced skipper Gilchrist for the final quarter, and made a decent defensive intervention as Romania threatened to score.
20. Rory Darge – 6
Competed at the breakdown well after replacing Watson, then ran a good support line to score the 11th try of the evening.
21. George Horne – 7
As is his way, added real tempo off the bench when the game broke up.
22. Blair Kinghorn – 6.5
Terrific break that led to Matthews try his most telling contribution, but threatened the wide channels as Romania’s defence tired.
23. Huw Jones – 5
Given the closing stages, replacing Harris, but didn’t get too many chances.
Comments on RugbyPass
A Turtle has more pace and leg drive than Owen Franks, so it’s a good thing he only had to run 90 metres for that try.
2 Go to commentsOh Tamati Tua was in the vastly over-rated Leon MacDonalds Blues system? Well, no wonder he was wasted, much like Emoni Narawa and Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens under MacDonald. now look at them. Good thing Tua isn’t eligible, the Aussies latch on to any player who isn’t tied down.
2 Go to commentsMark Telea is a lot of things, but a defensive juggernaut has never been one of them. There will be far bigger tests in that regard for the youngster.
10 Go to commentsLove and respect to Fiji but not a chance outside of 7s
4 Go to commentsGood summation Ned. Agree the Canes were out-muscled for once (except at the scrum!) by a focused Brumbies outfit. Tua deserves consideration for higher honors after the way he humbled Jordie and the Canes defense. Thankfully, his lack of eligibility for Oz keeps him from Joe’s plans. While I also agree the injuries affected the Canes performance, some players seemed to lack focus and intensity for this match. Perhaps after the Blues demolished the Brumbies, they thought it was going to be easy? A good reminder that any slip up in preparation can have a big affect on the result. Brumbies deserved that win.
2 Go to commentsKarl Dixon should never have been appointed this fixture, absolute disgrace, He’s not much of a referee anyway, didn't have the balls to send his mate care off
5 Go to commentsBrilliant article! Harry of 8/9
2 Go to comments‘UK athletes' have been in the NFL from the start.
1 Go to commentsIt’s going to be Scott Barrett. He’s the coaches mate and captain of a previously elite team. Ardie a great option but scooter has worked with the coach and Ardie still as big a leader as needed.
23 Go to commentsI commend Colin Scotts bio All Balls. He was the first Aussie to make it to NFL. But he was poached and did a full apprenticeship at the University of Hawaii. He was 130kgs surfed played 1st grade cricket etc. big guy by normal but not NFL standards and a top athlete. Even then the nfl were picking up Tongans and Samoans for their natural size and explosive power. They want explosive power not cardio from the big boys so a guy like Taniela Tupou would have been good if picked up young enough. He has fast twitch and they’d bulk the little lad up and give him something to do. soccer teams set up academies and look for Over Sara’s talent eg Messi was at Barcelona since a teenager and harry kewell went to Leeds as a teenager like 16 or something.
11 Go to commentsThe article alludes to the fact that this isn’t about picking a captain. But picking a great captain. So who would make for a great All Black captain - not just an obvious or safe shoo-in? I’m not sure Ardie’s the guy and Barret doesn’t stand out either.
23 Go to commentsI guess we may all agree on the fact, that the ABs and Boks are the two in contest for No 1 in rugby history (the triple-A sort of) …. the Wallabies, England and France are the next tier, with Ireland being the new kid in town (AA) …. in my view it makes little sense creating imaginary competitions (unless you have too much time to waste)
45 Go to commentsWhat a joke. Total joke and the pundits commentating, all of whom know a bit about the game, could barely disguise their contempt. Reaching for the card then pulling back when he realised a red card would carry further match suspensions is simply not his decision to make. A clear and obvious influence on the outcome of this match and indeed, the championship path.
5 Go to commentsI like the idea, in NZ the Ranfurly Shield and NPC coexist, both having their own bragging rights. The World Cup would be the pinnacle, but the competition and travels of these trophies would be interesting.
45 Go to commentsDon’t worry Sonny bill Williams leave that awkward situation about the curfew in the pass whoever it was it doesn’t matter its no big deal we back our All Blacks through the storm and the thunder until we see the Sun light again.
42 Go to commentsWho listens to this retard? He was a massive liability as a player but obviously a media sensation
42 Go to commentsI’m not surprised by such ‘virtue signalling’ by Sonny Boy. Butter wouldn’t melt in his mouth. He’s such a pious Islamic muppet, imo.
42 Go to commentsI’ve actually never heard of the guy (then I don’t watch League as it is boring). But if he is good enough.. then good luck to him. If not, well, he can always return to league.
2 Go to commentsIt is pretty clear that by almost any measure that NZ are a more successful rugby nation than South Africa. Quite aside from the distasteful events during the last RWC final. NZ lead SA in all significant measurements.
45 Go to commentsDickson went to his pocket for a card, saw who it was, changed his mind and spoke at length to TMO. One angle clearly shows Care diving over a Saints player to kill the ball. 1st yellow, reason given for not Red was player was falling backwards. He was only falling backwards after contact with Lawes. Graham try should have stood. Mitchell did not have both hands on the ball, ball went forward from a Saints boot dragging over it. 2 intentional knock-on's. One of which had an overlap on the outside. If Quins are happy to win by intentional foul play, then it does not say much for them. Would appear to be a bad day for Karl Dickson, also for the RFU in appointing a Ref who spent 8 years as a player at one of the clubs.
5 Go to comments