GREGOR TOWNSEND announced his XV plus replacements for Saturday's BT Murrayfield clash with Australia on Thursday; I was distinctly under-whelmed with the squad, which (in 1-23 order) is:
Pierre Schoeman, Dave Cherry, Zander Fagerson, Grant Gilchrist, Sam Skinner, Jamie Ritchie – CAPTAIN, Hamish Watson, Matt Fagerson; Ali Price, Blair Kinghorn; Duhan van der Merwe, Sione Tuipulotu, Mark Bennett. Darcy Graham, Ollie Smith. Replacements: George Turner, Jamie Bhatti, WP Nel, Glen Young, Jack Dempsey; George Horne, Ross Thompson, Damien Hoyland.
I use under-whelmed in the sense, it was hardly a surprise. I picked my preferred 23 earlier in the week, and got 12 of the starters and 4 of the replacements right, so, it wasn't that hard a team to pick.
Biggest surprise for me is the omission of Scott Cummings, who has been in immense form for Glasgow, from the 23. (Late edit: he has a broken toe). I also thought he would start Dempsey at number eight, rather than capping him off the bench.
I also do not think Sione Tuipulotu is a 12, to me he's a 13, but, with Sam Johnston injured, Toony didn't have much option. I honestly don't see us winning this one.
AS I have frequently pointed-out on here, the SRU's management model for raising the cash they need to generate to run the game up here is based around a Scotland team, playing attractive, attacking rugby, in front of a Murrayfield full-house.
Worryingly, on Wednesday, three days before the opening match of the Aumumn series – the SRU website was attempting to drum-up interest in the still unsold tickets for the match against Australia.
As things stand, we are ranked sixth in the world, with the Australians in ninth place – but, they are not far behind us. The Wallabies always play an attractive brand of rugby, so, this is one game for which there ought to be a big crowd. However, we should bear in mind, these are difficult times and money is tight. Maybe Baldrick should have a look at the pricing policy for tickets.
Speaking of which, this is a busy weekend for the game. We have Glasgow entertaining Benetton at Scotstoun on Friday night, followed by the Murrayfield international on Saturday, then, on Sunday, we have the FOSROC Super6 Final at the DAM Health Stadium, while in Cardiff, Edinburgh are the visitors.
As regards the Glasgow game, I am delighted to see young Alex Samuel making his debut, from the start. This kid has been awesome in the FOSROC Super6 with Ayrshire Bulls and has definitely earned his debut. I hope this is the start of a huge career for him.
A FRIEND of this blog sent me the latest edition of The Rugby Pod, in which Big Jim Hamilton and his gang discuss Finn Russell's omission from the Scotland squad. This is not an easy watch if you're a 'Pailmerk.' Check it out for yourself via this link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JWWo9jY8FkE
The same friend sent me a link to a Times interview with Phillipe Doussy, Skills and Kicking Coach at Racing 92. Doussy is amazed at Finn's omission, but, from a Racing point of view he is delighted to have the player at the club.
He waxes lyrical as to Finn's form and attitude and points out, in passing, this season Finn's kicking percentage is 93%.
Can Scotland really afford to leave out a 90%+ kicker?
That, by the way, is a textbook example of Betteridge's Law of Headlines.
Two good articles in a row . Just to add a key thought on the missing Finn - he is BOX OFFICE , as was George Best .
ReplyDeleteFans , especially the young fans , turn up to see what is next
in his box tricks . The SRU will need his presence just to boost the revenues at the Fifi and Argentina matches and
to give us a chance of beating the All Blacks.