Scotland v Argentina

[Big D]

I've got to say when Vern's masterstroke was bringing on Moray Low and Ryan Wilson (I thought Bradbury was settling in nicely) I thought the game was over.

What's the deal with Dunbar? I've suspected he's better at 13 in general but does he look a bit stodgy at the moment or am I being unfair as he is bogged down with so much heavy lifting?

Dunbar is the key back defensively. Might be an idea if they gave him the ball in attack.

[hp18]

Who are we developing to keep Russell on his toes then? Frankly he looks and plays like a man who knows his shirt is safe.

You post like a man who knows his meds ain't working.

[hp18]

I've got to say when Vern's masterstroke was bringing on Moray Low and Ryan Wilson (I thought Bradbury was settling in nicely) I thought the game was over.

What's the deal with Dunbar? I've suspected he's better at 13 in general but does he look a bit stodgy at the moment or am I being unfair as he is bogged down with so much heavy lifting?

He can play either but I prefer him at 12. He can take the heat off 10 and his hands and step are good enough if given the chance.

[hugh_woatmeigh]

And Russel plays like our best 10 for a while. Not perfect but 1 drop kick (/2) doesnt chamge that. You cant assume someone doesnt try and improve just because they look like theyre enjoying themselves

I think he doesn't try and improve because he has two areas for improvement that are holding him back from being a top 10. Place kicking & decision making. I have seen no improvement since he established himself.

[Tobylerone]

All things considered, upon reflection I'm happier with them winning playing poorly rather than losing playing well.

Argentina were quite happy to make a mess of that game (we should know how that works..) and use their considerable opportunist skills..
Fortunately another moment from new boy wonder made the difference..
Gilchrist and Russell with a few more weeks of unscathed rugby, plus first choice front row..? Squad in reasonable shape for 6n.?

[Big D]

Argentina were quite happy to make a mess of that game (we should know how that works..) and use their considerable opportunist skills..
Fortunately another moment from new boy wonder made the difference..
Gilchrist and Russell with a few more weeks of unscathed rugby, plus first choice front row..? Squad in reasonable shape for 6n.?

With the props back (Dell and Fagerson have done admirably imo), Gray, Taylor and back row options (if needed) available then I think it's as decent a squad as we've had. I'd like to see Toolis involved in that squad

[ARM]

Well at least it looks like I've killed the jinx. Twice in 9 months when we've played a better ranked side at Murrayfield and ive been in the crowd, we've won.

First half was dreadful - from both sides. Errors everywhere and we got bogged down with scrum resets. Inexperienced ref could have taken more control there as there was silly beggars going on. Was interesting that on their put-in the scrum stayed up but on ours it went down.

Second half was a fairly entertaining game of rugby.

Bradbury is quick across the ground - reminds me a bit of a young Simon Taylor. Jones reminds me a bit of a certain Irishman in terms of running style and ability to make a half break. Looks like a classic outside centre and I would want to keep him there - Dunbar is a good foil for him. Jonny Gray should already be a shoe-in for Lions but I can see him losing out to a couple of English lads, AWJ and Perhaps Toner.

We had 20% of our first choice front 5 give out there and coped OK.

Mind you banana skin coming up against Georgia and some of our 6N rivals keep raising the bar.

[OptimisticJock]

The way some of you bang on you'd think Scotland had just scraped a win against Germany rather than a team ranked above them.

[hp18]

The way some of you bang on you'd think Scotland had just scraped a win against Germany rather than a team ranked above them.

Can we have Just Jock back please?

[Mikey Brown]

Anyone else still have massive reservations about Maitland?

[hugh_woatmeigh]

Anyone else still have massive reservations about Maitland?

He and Hogg were at fault for that try. Both should have done a lot better... but having said that I thought Maitland was pretty decent yesterday.

[Big D]

I'm feeling more positive about things with less alcohol in me.

Yes it was a poor performance overall but several players through injuries or choice have come in and done well in the two games.

We won. At the end of the day it was about winning rather than the performance.

[hp18]

The Scotland medical team provided the following squad update, having reviewed the players from yesterday’s Autumn Test victory over Argentina at BT Murrayfield Stadium (19-16).

Huw Jones sustained a foot injury in the act of creating Sean Maitland’s try in the 53rd minute. The midfielder had a scan at Spire Murrayfield Hospital after the game and will be reassessed early in the week.

Three players sustained dead legs in the match – hooker Fraser Brown, lock Grant Gilchrist and replacement centre Pete Horne – all of whom will require medical management this week.

Several other players are showing the signs of a physical contest and will require ongoing care and management as the week progresses.

[whatisthejava]

I think some of u guys need to wake up, a cold night, an RG team who wanted to play tight and counter when they could and a front 3 under pressure, we did well, we won and we are now above France and RG in the world rankings.

I though Russell was below par last night but the boys fought hard and got the win which in years past we would have lost when it mattered.

I

[wanderingjock]

Anyone else still have massive reservations about Maitland?

Hmm, I'm not sure. But then I looked at the team and he only has three tries. Now in years gone by that would have been reasonable for a sixty cap wingerwinger. I think he's is capable of some good stuff, just don't see it often enough.

That comment about meds not working made me laugh!!

Laidlaw is a miserable little bitch. And if he is gonna take fifteen minutes to pass the ball out of a ruck, he could at least make it a good one!

[Mikey Brown]

I feel like Maitland just doesn't get involved enough for the pace/guile that he has with the ball and shows basically zero aggression. Hogg at least attacks well whilst defending like a little girl.

I too have calmed down a little on the performance but I still blame Laidlaw massively for the game being what it was. In the first 15-20 minutes the guys looked fired up, determined to find gaps and attack, but he just wasn't interested in that. He wanted to slow it down, wave his arms around a bit, assess the options, repeatedly, check one last time if he might be able to milk a penalty and then maybe fling a pass just behind someone's head.

I know there are lots of other factors but I feel like we came out to absolutely blast them in that opening 20 and he completely negated it.

[whatisthejava]

Did anyone see the bit on the first half when Jonny Gray got stationary ball, instead of driving into the nearest player, stopped waited for them to close and changed the point of contact to make yards.

Was fantastic bit of rugby that demonstrates how valuable he is

[af73]

I feel like Maitland just doesn't get involved enough for the pace/guile that he has with the ball and shows basically zero aggression. Hogg at least attacks well whilst defending like a little girl.

I too have calmed down a little on the performance but I still blame Laidlaw massively for the game being what it was. In the first 15-20 minutes the guys looked fired up, determined to find gaps and attack, but he just wasn't interested in that. He wanted to slow it down, wave his arms around a bit, assess the options, repeatedly, check one last time if he might be able to milk a penalty and then maybe fling a pass just behind someone's head.

I know there are lots of other factors but I feel like we came out to absolutely blast them in that opening 20 and he completely negated it.

This, re: Laidlaw.

Think the clock was at 65 minutes when he decided it was time for pod-phase rugby. Something you normally do when the clock is on 79 minutes

Add to this his general stroppiness does it betray an an underlying victim mentality? "Coat of paint/post doesn't like me", "Ref he pushed my head" etc. Playing for a close finish and the easy excuse of "fine margins/keep me in the team as I kicked the goals and everyone else needs to improve" when defeat is snatched from the jaws of victory.

His dictating of the tempo (such as it was) brought our game to a dead stop. Did he really think 3 points in the final 15 minutes would suffice? As it turned out the gods made good on their debt from the WC quarter final but we still had 3 goes at f***ing it up.

Thought Bradbury was impressive, never mind it was his 1st game, just impressive full stop. Dell is showing up and while Fagerson is having issues at scrum, it's on the job training or nothing in that position I think. If we get all the back rowers fit we have options if the game requires beef, speed or a mixture of both. In the backs just keep letting Russell play his game. Centres are fitness and form so no worries there. Back three likewise although one or both of Hoyland and Hughes to start pushing would do nicely.

The young guys have been given a go this AI which is good and have really taken it on. why not give Price a go against Georgia to see if the 9 hinge really is the issue I (and most other people) seem to think it is.