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Why George Turner believes Scotland 'can do amazing' at World Cup

By PA
(Photo by Mark Runnacles/Getty Images)

Scotland hooker George Turner has insisted they will not settle for second best at the Rugby World Cup. Gregor Townsend’s side have the top two teams in the world in their pool, South Africa and Ireland, but they are ranked fifth themselves and have beaten the likes of England, Wales and France this year.

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Turner is aiming high ahead of their opening game against the Springboks on September 10. Turner said: “You don’t go into things looking for second place. We want to win. We think we can win. There is that confidence in us.

“We are in a good place. Where we are at the moment, the group of players, how we are feeling, we can do amazing at this World Cup. We can beat any team on our day if we get it right and don’t switch off.”

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The Glasgow forward believes the tight-knit nature of the squad will be a major asset. “I have got a wife and three kids so being away from home can be difficult because we are a close family and we do a lot together,” the 30-year-old said.

“I’m trying to get them out to France for some time so they can come to a game and I can see them on a day off. Since lockdown, people have probably spent even more time with their families so it can be tough when you are away.

Team Form

Last 5 Games

5
Wins
3
5
Streak
1
32
Tries Scored
33
171
Points Difference
153
4/5
First Try
4/5
4/5
First Points
4/5
4/5
Race To 10 Points
4/5

“Five weeks, six weeks, two months, whatever it is, it’s a long time to be away so it is a big deal for all the players. We have got a good connection, we are a tight group. Everyone gets on and nothing is forced within the group.

“People can hang out with whomever they wish and do whatever they want. There is no pressure on anyone to go out if they don’t want to. If you need to decompress on your own you can do that.”

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c
cw 6 hours ago
The coaching conundrum part one: Is there a crisis Down Under?

Thanks JW for clarifying your point and totally agree. The ABs are still trying to find their mojo” - that spark of power that binds and defines them. Man the Boks certainly found theirs in Wellington! But I think it cannot be far off for ABs - my comment about two coaches was a bit glib. The key point for me is that they need first a coach or coaches that can unlock that power and for me that starts at getting the set piece right and especially the scrum and second a coach that can simplify the game plans. I am fortified in this view by NBs comment that most of the ABs tries come from the scrum or lineout - this is the structured power game we have been seeing all year. But it cannot work while the scrum is backpeddling. That has to be fixed ASAP if Robertson is going to stick to this formula. I also think it is too late in the cycle to reverse course and revert to a game based on speed and continuity. The second is just as important - keep it simple! Complex movements that require 196 cm 144 kg props to run around like 95kg flankers is never going to work over a sustained period. The 2024 Blues showed what a powerful yet simple formula can do. The 2025 Blues, with Beauden at 10 tried to be more expansive / complicated - and struggled for most of the season.

I also think that the split bench needs to reflect the game they “want” to play not follow some rote formula. For example the ABs impact bench has the biggest front row in the World with two props 195cm / 140 kg plus. But that bulk cannot succeed without the right power based second row (7, 4, 5, 6). That bulk becomes a disadvantage if they don’t have a rock solid base behind them - as both Boks showed at Eden Park and the English in London. Fresh powerful legs need to come on with them - thats why we need a 6-2 bench. And teams with this split can have players focused only on 40 minutes max of super high intensity play. Hence Robertson needs to design his team to accord with these basic physics.



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