Is there ‘entitlement’ around Scotland or has Townsend misjudged criticism?

After a typically malnourished Tonga was unfairly defeated at Murrayfield, Gregor Townsend was pitchside and delivering his verdict about the overall Autumn Nations campaign.

Following the final-quarter meltdown against Argentina a week ago, the Scotland head coach has largely dealt with them in a cool, composed manner. He has faced all kinds of criticism and questions.

Townsend clearly feels that the criticism he has received was unfair after his team let slip a rare chance to defeat the All Blacks and take the lead 21 points against the Pumas.

After the Tongans defeated Townsend with a 56-0 victory, Townsend told BBC Sport Scotland, “We have to make sure what we’re talking about here.”

“These are top-notch teams,” said one coach, “I don’t know if there’s an entitlement to beating the All Blacks and Argentina.” We are not permitted to defeat any team.

Some people seem to have misunderstood the nature of much of the criticism surrounding Argentina’s 33-24 defeat.

For the simple reason that Scottish rugby supporters are not typically associated with entitlement, “entitlement” is not something that is frequently associated with them.

The disappointment comes from watching a team play incredibly well, as Scotland did, but only to nosedive beyond recognition as a result of their 21-0 lead. and witnessing it continue to occur.

Even though Scotland faced a physical Tonga side on Sunday, the experience was tiresome, and it never would have been worth the effort.

Never going to give this side the forward momentum it needed heading into the Six Nations was two wins from four against the United States and Tonga, two teams who were completely outgunned at rugby’s top table.

Tuipulotu once said, “I’m kind of tired of sitting up here and promising what we’re going to do.” I believe the main goal is to enter the Six Nations in top form.

“I’m not going to make headlines about how we’re promising this and promising that for you guys to make a statement and reject us,” he said.

We need to stop, and the changing room staff must ultimately work to get past the hump. Only what is said in the changing room and not what is said on stage matters to me.

Tuipulotu is a great communicator who is unfailingly humble and polite, and we have never seen him come out as strongly as he did.

Perhaps this Scottish side needs a siege mentality, though. The “us against the world” mantra may help the team advance to new heights that they haven’t been able to reach yet.

Perhaps that is wishful thinking, but it’s obvious that Scotland will enter the Six Nations Tournament with expectations similar to those they’ve carried in the past.

Townsend is confident that he can help this team achieve the kind of success that fans seek, even though his position still occupies a lot of the column inches and air time.

He said, “I’ve never been more persuaded.” One of our best performances came from the New Zealand game.

“The team’s actions from the previous week are unchanged,” the team said in the 20 minutes against Argentina. We must be better when the opposition has their moments, which is unquestionable.