HAD SCOTLAND sent a full-strength squad to Fiji and lost the game 29-14, I would have been laying-on the criticism with a number nine shovel. As it was, while congratulating a very-good Fijian side on their victory, I am not going to throw the kitchen sink at the losing Scottish side.
You cannot take an under-strength squad to Suva, to face a fully-loaded Fiji and expect to win
You cannot compound the folly by showing the indiscipline which hurt Scotland (although I have to say – while he wasn't the reason we lost: Ben O'Keefe again confirmed, he is not international-class as a Referee)
In tight internationals, yellow cards kill you
Scotland did some good things; they also had more than a few “what was he thinking” moments. But, never having played a full-throttle international in the heat and humidity of Suva I cannot fully consider the affect of the conditions on the Scots.
Scotland produced some good attacking rugby, moments which, with our first-choice midfield trio, would surely have produced tries. Our under-strength pack more than held their own in the tight exchanges, our defence was generally good, but, when Fiji get a fair wind behind them, with the attacking talent, power and flair they possess, they will give anybody a hard time.
For me, the pick of the Scottish side were: Tom Jordan, Kyle Steyn, Jamie Dobie, Ewan Ashman, Grant Gilchrist and Rory Darge. Fergus Burke had a tidy debut and I finish with an old quote, from the late England Captain John Pullin: “we may not be much good, but, at least we turn up.”
This result will in no way persuade the other Tier One nations to travel to Suva to face the Flying Fijians.
Now, the caravan moves on, back to New Zealand, for Friday's Eden Park meeting with Samoa. At least, with a 9am kick-off, it doesn't mean getting up at silly o'clock to watch the game.
FINALLY – surely President Keith Wallace, rather than CEO Alex Williamson, should have been accepting, on behalf of the SRU, that beautiful Fijian drum from the hosts, at the end of the game.
FROM SUVA, next stop in Saturday's long Rugby journey into night was Wellington, and the All Blacks v France. You can argue all you like about Fabien Galthie's thinking in the squad he sent to New Zealand; however, given the lengthy season some of his big names have had, with some huge club games in addition to internationals, so it made sense to give some of his fringe players a chance.
OK, the ABs did a lot of damage with their storming start and had the game more or less sewn-up by half-time. That said, the second half was a lot more even and the French side left several tries out there. I honestly thought it was a bit closer than the 43-17 score-line might indicate.
As I wrote last week, Fabian Holland had a storming debut last week; this time round it was his boilerhouse partner Patrick Tuipulotu who caught the eye with an impressive return to the colours, standing-in for injured skipper Scott Barrett.
The lock partners hauled-in their share of ball at the touchlines, but, the real eye-opener was the number of creative line out moves produced by both teams, some terrific coaching thinking in evidence there.
Elsewhere, the two Barrett Brothers who did play again emphasised their class, Will Jordan scored his obligatory try, while Ardie Savea, leading the side, reinforced what an absolute class act he is.
'RUGBY 'S RONALDO' – that's what we should call Duhan van der Merwe after his Adelaide hat-trick; because like the great Brazilian striker: “all he does is score”. From a Scottish perspective, it's difficult what to make of this morning's big 48-0 win against the Invitation ANZAC XV. Huw Jones' early removal hints at a place in the Test squad; Ben White almost certainly clinched the back-up nine role, but, I doubt if Pierre Schoeman's terrific 80 minute shift will have taken him past Andrew Porter in the fight for the 17 jersey.
Sione Tuipulotu did nothing wrong, but didn't catch the eye as much as “Shuggie” did outside him, while Scott Cummings capped a fine cameo off the bench with a well-taken try.
The Lions scored some very-good tries, but Andy Farrell will probably be more pleased with the defensive effort, while, in an improved performance by the pack as a whole, the hard work John Dalziel has been putting in on the training paddock was obvious.
Of the non-Scots, I thought the English back rowers: Henry Pollock and Ben Earl were impressive, forming an excellent breakaway trio with Wales' Jac Morgan. Hugo Keenan and Mack Hansen were probably the pick of the Paddies, although Tadgh Beirne was more like his old self and Owen Farrell was quietly-effective. I would have him on the bench for the Test, his two younger Saxon alternatives are callow youths in comparison to him.
SOUTH AFRICA v Italy on Sky was a hard watch. The Rugby was good, with some terrific attacking from both sides, and some huge hits. The problem, however, was the Saffa commentating team – I am not saying they were totally biased in favour of the Bokke, but, the reality was, compared to them, Kris Boyd and Chris Sutton on Old Firm duty are more even-handed.
The strange mind of Dr Rassie Erasmus was evident as he unveiled his latest brain wave, a line-out style maul in open play, which produced a try – brilliant stuff. Less brilliant was Jasper Weiss's stupid red card. By “Glesca Kiss” standards, it was a fairly innocuous Butt that got him hooked on a straight red, Andrew Brace, who had (shockeroonie) a very-good game, was left with no wriggle room, he had to go. The Bokke won 45-0 and deservedly so.
THE WORST was saved till last, England's 22-17 win over Argentina. OK, most of the English big guns are in Australia, and Argentina were under-stgreength as well, but this was so-boring: two teams kicking the ball up in the air and chasing it – I lost interest after about an hour.
Argentina showed the greater ambition, but, England, to be fair, defended superbly. They may have a lot of good forwards but their backs are very average. Still, they should beat the USA this Saturday, to give their media something to crow about.
I missed Wales beating Japan to end that dismal run of 18 straight defeats; so I suppose they were dancing in the streets of Aberflyarf and the other valley villages last night.
Finally, Ireland's thumping 106-7 win over Portugal will not have been good for Rugby in that country.
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