Prior to the big game on Saturday, the arrival of the All Blacks for the first time in three years, Scotland had already racked up a victory over the Americans at Murrayfield.
Anyone who would have jumped on an 85-0 victory over a side that Edinburgh, not to mention Glasgow, would have taken to the cleaners would be forgiven.
New Zealand’s game against Ireland in Chicago was streamed live on the big screen at Murrayfield, and a sizable number of fans stayed put. A ridiculous red card was given to Tadhg Beirne, which gave them a stop-start first half.
A flat Ireland made a line-out five times in 46 minutes, failed to score beyond the 51st minute, and failed to live with an All Blacks side that only really started putting things together in the final quarter. They were unremarkable up until the sporadic moment of class.
Additionally, Scott and Jordie Barrett were both seen hurting themselves. Both parties are having a hard time making it for Saturday, according to the camp.
- 15 hours ago
- 17 hours ago
- 15 hours ago
The Scots were ruthless in their opposition to the United States, carrying out their best efforts. The few players who will be playing next Saturday had a great time, and Liam McConnell, the rough diamond at six, who did well on his debut, had a great time. It’s entertaining to watch McConnell mature, even at age 21. His untapped talent is outstanding.
The biggest dogs will return for the All Blacks. Scotland faced New Zealand for the first time 100 and twenty years ago, and they haven’t, of course, lost. That leaves 30 defeated and two draws. The most agonizing of all three losses comes in that series, probably the last three.
With seven minutes left, Scotland had a point lead in 2014, but they were ultimately defeated by a 31-23 margin.
Was more difficult to accept three years later. In the fall of that year, a plague struck Scotland’s loosehead props. Allan Dell, Rory Sutherland, and Allan Dickinson suffered injuries. Unknown Darryl Marfo was brought in.
There were a lot of in-game injuries for Gregor Townsend’s team. Hooker Stuart McInally had a few moments at openside. The replacement hooker, George Turner, also had a performance at openside.
Townsend still has a vivid look after the game. veiled fury and dejection. With eight minutes remaining, Scotland led 22-10. 14 men made up the All Blacks. Then referee Matthew Carley was unable to stop a nearly certain try thanks to Kieran Read’s chicanery.
Read should have been off, and Scotland ought to have had a chance. The final fifteen minutes of the contest should have been a five-point game against 13 men. New Zealand escaped.
We don’t go back to the agony just for laughs. These near-misses serve as reminders of how brutally difficult it is to defeat the All Blacks. Perhaps the most instructive of all defeats is the most recent defeat.
Doddie Weir and his three sons played the match ball that night, which is still just as moving now, three years later.
In the opening game of the contest, Scotland had a 14-point lead before falling to 9-points. In 52 minutes, they defeated the All Blacks, and they still managed 23 points. unmatched . Then they lost their vigor, awarded penalties, received a yellow card, and ultimately lost the test.
It was typical and agonizing. The All Blacks had been heavily underpowered, but they stayed calm and turned the screw millimeter by millimeter when necessary.
Townsend has some makings to make regarding the composition of his starting lineup and other matters to consider regarding the bench’s composition. Is he going to split by 6-2? The logic says yes in order to add more gnarled forwards to the mix later. It’s a risk that’s worthwhile, but it’s worthwhile. Scotland needs to “power-up.”
Townsend will be making up some points. Since the Lions’ Tour, Blair Kinghorn has essentially not been hampered. His seventh game of the season came against Stade Francais on Saturday, when he played 80 minutes for Toulouse. Is there a need for him against the All Blacks, but is his freshness a factor?
The pair of Glasgow powerhouses, Sione Tuipulotu and Stafford McDowall, should be the midfield in the interests of cohesion and with respect to the flying claims of the excellent Rory Hutchinson.
With Finn Russell and Ben White partnering at half-back, cohesion will probably win the day once more. However, Jamie Dobie has never been more intent on shifting the order to nine. The two backs on the bench could be Dobie and Tom Jordan.
Since April, Zander Fagerson hasn’t played. What are the chances that a big man will simply reappearance and play the game of his life for close to 80 minutes? He must, of course. Otherwise, Scotland might have been sunk. That is important for Fisherson.
With Gregor Brown, a fantastic ball-carrier with belligerence and footwork, Scott Cummings and Max Williamson, who both have muscle coming off the bench, Townsend hopes to start a new era.
Scotland deserves more praise from Grant Gilchrist, but it needs to get going. Townsend is undoubtedly in agreement. Matt Fagerson sits at six and Jack Dempsey at eight, respectively, is his back-row. Andy Onyeama-Christie, who has been fired, and Rory Darge, who is recovering, share the seven jersey. Once more, both should be in the 23, with the assumption that Darge is fit to play.
A 6-2 on the bench, which is crucial for Scotland, gives them a better chance of dealing with New Zealand in that crucial final quarter, which is typically when the team rallies to win.
Rory Sutherland, George Turner, and possibly Will Hurd in front. The most aggressive, belligerent, and objectionable nuisance you can find is Williamson, Darge, and Onyeama Christie. Magnus Bradbury, arguably, fits the bill when at the height of his powers.
A pack of extra pounds and a dangerous backline. Despite not being particularly terrifying in the modern era, New Zealand still has magic inside them.
related subjects
- Scottish Rugby
- Rugby Union
