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The Gregor Townsend verdict on his new-look Scotland back three

By PA
Scotland boss Gregor Townsend arrives for last weekend's win over Fiji (Photo by Euan Cherry/Getty Images)

Gregor Townsend has explained he has full faith in the makeshift Scotland back three to handle the challenge of facing world champions South Africa on Sunday. Injuries sustained by wing Darcy Graham and full-back Kyle Rowe in last weekend’s 57-17 win over Fiji have forced the head coach into a reshuffle.

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Glasgow back Tom Jordan, predominantly a stand-off, has been selected to make his first international start at full-back a week after making his Test debut off the bench. Blair Kinghorn, who has become Scotland’s first-choice full-back since the retirement of Stuart Hogg, will shift to the wing, where he has been used for Toulouse this term.

“Obviously with losing Darcy and now Kyle, that got us thinking about what is the right combination,” said Townsend. “We had always looked at a 6/2 bench split for the Springboks, and Tom became someone that we would want to include in a match day 23.

Video Spacer

The 20-min red card explained by referee Karl Dickson

Referee Karl Dickson explains the 20-min red card system that is in place during the Autumn Nations Series.

Video Spacer

The 20-min red card explained by referee Karl Dickson

Referee Karl Dickson explains the 20-min red card system that is in place during the Autumn Nations Series.

“With his ability to play 10, 13, and also 15, we had thought that he could operate there at Test level. We didn’t think he would get that opportunity so quickly in his Test career. On his debut, I thought he was excellent. He was very brave.

“His position in the backfield has always been good when he has played at 10 for Glasgow. We know he is going to work really hard. With Blair having played a lot of rugby on the wing, not just over his career but this season, we feel that it is the best combination this weekend.”

Team Form

Last 5 Games

4
Wins
4
2
Streak
4
26
Tries Scored
25
87
Points Difference
99
4/5
First Try
4/5
3/5
First Points
4/5
4/5
Race To 10 Points
4/5

The additions of Jordan and Kinghorn are two of four changes to the team that started the Fiji game, with Ben White and Finn Russell replacing the half-back partnership of Ali Price and Adam Hastings.

Eleven of the 15 players who started the Rugby World Cup pool-stage meeting between the teams in Marseille 14 months ago have been given the nod by Townsend to start again on Sunday.

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The head coach is confident lessons learned from that 18-3 defeat will stand Scotland in good stead as they aim to stem an eight-game losing run against the Springboks since their last triumph in the fixture in 2010.

“It’s exciting to be able to go to a game where you know you are taking on the world champions and it’s going to be a sell-out,” said Townsend. “You know that you’re going to have to play your best rugby to be in the game.

“It’s got everybody’s minds focused and the players are really relishing this opportunity. In the first game of the World Cup, there is probably more emotion that goes through the players’ minds about how important that game was, not only as a one-off game but our chances in the World Cup.

“The fact that we have played them, the players have felt what it is like to go up against the Springboks, from whatever area of the game is relevant to them. But also there is a lot of changes since then. Changes in maybe how we play, but certainly how they have played since the World Cup.

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“They are very innovative around what they want to do off set-piece, and they move the ball wide. They will play at pace, they will play much more of an open game, which wasn’t so much the case in the World Cup.

“Something that we really respect about the South African team is their consistency. They have delivered time and time again.”

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Easy_Duzz-it 6 hours ago
Scott Robertson has to take charge of his All Blacks in 2025

Super rugby is bleeding . when was the last year super rugby made profit ? . Real growth is determined by how much money you generate . Remember super rugby is a business first and currently it's not optimal . Australia will always be wiping boys in super rugby , they don't have the path ways that we do . In Australia union is made for private school kids and with that in mind it'll never grow bigger than what it is . And the South africans would be wiping boys again if they came back to super rugby . because the time differences is too much on the body . So super rugby as a genuine profitable product is a lie .


So what's the plan ? . It's quite simple really you cut off super rugby and stop the bleeding . put all the money back into the remaining competitions . Get the 1st 15 back on tv and have content creators at every level of the game making highlight reels for all the up and coming stars . the faster people know who players are , the interest will grow . streamers are the new stars of this generation . So NZRU should follow suite . watch these kids from 1st 15 and follow them all the way to the top . Some will succeed but most will fail . But that's the real point of interest . To see who will make it . And who wont .


Of coarse the quality of rugby will drop for a little , but once rivalries spark again . it wont take long for performances to lift and with that quality will only improve . All of a sudden the player exodus is a hoax just like covid and only our very best players leave to off shore pastures because they conquered every level in New Zealand and theres nothing left here to do .


I also have no ideas for equilibrium . I only have simple and easy solutions for the current problems in NZ rugby . You said we 20 of our best are currently off sure . Being the best means you are good enough to wear the All Black jersey . Currently only 3 players off shore would fit that criteria . Mounga , Frizell and Fainga nuku . so who are the rest ? . I also haven't read any stories about 100k offers to any up and coming talent . If there's a link you would like to share on that matter , I would definitely take the time to read it . Also don't be worried about who will play for the All Blacks and who wont . 10-15 years ago the "Tongan Thor Taniela Tupou" was a menace in 1st 15 he left to play for the wallabies . Yes he would have been a great asset for the All Blacks . But at the end of the day . Money only keeps the lights on , We only want players who want to play for the black jersey no matter where they play in the world .


We don't poses the world cup . But we are still the best in the world at rugby , of that I have no doubt . And if Razor gets his way results will follow quickly .

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