IT'S A PHRASE I recall being oft-used by the great Jim Sillars, when pointing out the failings of the Conservatives, who would promise Scotland one thing, then deliver something totally different> “Well, we ken noo” the bold James would say. On a far-more serious subject than politics – we noo ken Scotland's fate in the 2027 Rugby World Cup, following this morning's draw in Sydney.
Surprise, surprise, for the third straight tournament, we have been paired, Siamese twins-like, with Ireland, while Uruguay and Portugal will complete Pool D.
I am not that bothered about facing the Irish, I firmly believe their squad is further down the far side of the hill than ours and they face a major rebuild between now and the start of the tournament, in October, 2027.
Yes, they have some good youngsters coming through, but, so does Scotland and I see nothing to fear in the Pool. With the new format, fewer pool games, but a new round of 16, we now know too what further progress will demand of us.
Beating Ireland to win the group will hand Scotland what appears likely to be (on paper), an easy last 16 game, against one of the best third-placed finishers, from either pools B, E or F, while finishing second in the group will mean a last 16 meeting with the Pool E winners – on paper again, likely to be France. So, nothing new here, facing Ireland is the big pool game.
Of course, a lot can happen in the 22 months of so between the draw and the kick-off, not least the new format for the Autumn Tests, but, as save frantically for the trip to Australia, we can look forward to a good trip – after all, as they say in another sport: “no Scotland – no party”.
I WAS saddened this morning, when I read on the SRU website of the passing of Kim Elgie, at the grand old age of 92.
Michael Kelsey Elgie was born and raised in Natal, grandson of Scottish emigrants, after school he was a Jockbok long before today's crop. From Michaelhouse School in Durban, he went to St Andrew's University, winning a Blue and representing the North and Midlands. He then went south to train as an optometrist, joining London Scottish and, at Richmond Athletic Ground he won eight caps between 1954 and 1955.
This was towards the end of that dismal run of 17 straight defeats and, when the spell was broken in “Arthur Smith's Match” - the 14-8 win over the Welsh, at Murrayfield in 1955, Elgie contributed a penalty and a conversion to the Scottish total.
He suffered a career-ending injury playing for Scottish at the end of that season, returned to Durban to the family firm and devoted his sporting passion to his other game – cricket. He was a regular in the Natal side and joined the ranks of Scottish sport's dual-internationalists in 1961, when he won three caps for South Africa, as a right-handed bat and slow left-arm bowler.
I wrote a 50th anniversary piece for The Scotsman in 2005, around the defeat of Wales. Kim Elgie was one of the few members of that team still alive and, through a contact at London Scottish – who had actually been paired with him at the Royal & Ancient Golf Club's Autumn Meeting some weeks previously - this return to St Andrew's was a regular pilgrimage for Elgie for many years - I was therefore able to enjoy an enjoyable and illuminating telephone chat with him, at his home in Durban.
The memorable part of the chat was his memories of his debut, against the All Blacks in 1954. He remembered getting off the train at Waverley and joining the team in what was then the North British Hotel. As he remembered it, he had never met many of his new team mates, so, the backs were hastily despatched to Goldenacre for a quick run around, to get used to passing to each other.
Kim Elgie belonged to another time, and he played almost another game. However, as a member of the XV who ended that dismal run of defeats, he is assured of an honoured place in the folk-lore of Scottish Rugby. Thanks to him, I can say, even if it was only via telephone, but, I have met a nice South African.
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