RugbyRebels

Mikey Brown wrote:

Not certain what to make of these. I thought Du Plessis was supposed to be getting on well and really settled there. That’s Dalziel linking up with the scrum coach in what capacity?

Daziel is linking up with De Villiers in the sense that both are now on permanent contracts as Scotland assistant coaches. Dalziel seems to be forwards coach under Townsend. Big step up

Du Plessis according to Glasgow's press release is accepted another rugby role, so better offer or something. Smart conspiracy money on Rennie having tapped him up for Aus to sort out the Aussie scrum

Well that makes more sense. Just seemed like strange wording, as if he’d be assistant scrum coach.

Du Plessis is a big loss - I hope the SRU weren't silly enough to move him on and he's actually made the move himself. Best of luck to him.

Dalziel has done the hard yards, coached a good Melrose club side, IIRC did a decent job in the end with the 20's (5th place in 17?), has head coaching experience with the London Scottish, the 20s and 7's. It may not work but I think it sends a positive sign to the aspiring coaches like those in the S6 that there can be a pathway to the top table. Is a bit early, wonder if he was the back up plan or the one all along.

Keeping De Villiers is a big positive step for me.

Kelly Brown leaving Sarries to come to Glasgow is an interesting one. I guess WIlson will have responsibility for the set piece coaching?

Now De Villiers is full time he will likely do more with the pro teams directly. That should help make up for the loss of PDP.

Interesting step up for Dalziel. Always liked him as a (albeit not too level) player and sounds impressive as a coach. Big step up but hopefully De Villiers provides support beyond just the scrum.

Adam Ashe leaving. Probably not a bad thing. He has been in and out for years now. Sometimes looks like a top player but then fades out the picture.

Might someone in England be looking for a big backrow. They seem to be playing every couple of days so I'm sure some will be short in the back row.

Bruce Flockhart is taking an extended break from rugby to deal with a personal matter. No more explanation that I can see.

Jake Vakaloloma has also left but they have brought in Tongan international Fotu Lokotui.

Not seen a team for tomorrow yet.

Cameo wrote:Bruce Flockhart is taking an extended break from rugby to deal with a personal matter. No more explanation that I can see.

Jake Vakaloloma has also left but they have brought in Tongan international Fotu Lokotui.

Not seen a team for tomorrow yet.

team announcement always noon day before game.

Vakaloma hardly a surprise, some of these come off some don't, being big and Fijian is no guarantee of being Nakawara or Mata.

Don't know much about lokotui but another of similar stature to the other back rows, not the beast they probably need

And the Glasgow team. Jones at fullback looks like it's going to be a thing. Also interesting to see Nairn get a start under the new coaching regime. Feels like a big season for McDowell so hope he gets off to a good start.

Is it just me or to Glasgow open against Connacht a lot?


Connacht: Porch; Sullivan, Farrell, Aki, Wootton; Carty, Marmion; Buckley, Heffernan, Bealham; Thornbury, Roux; Butler (capt), Oliver, Boyle.

Replacements: Murphy, Duggan, Aungier, Murray, Masterson, Blade, Fitzgerald, Arnold.

Jones; Seymour, Grigg, McDowall, Nairn; Hastings, Price; Kebble, Brown, Rae; Harley, Cummings; Wilson, Fusaro, Fagerson.

Replacements: Turner, Seiuli, Pieretto, Gray, Lokotui, G Horne, P Horne, Tagive

I can't tell if Nairn is at fault with these or he's just being given some terrible passes. I feel like I've been waiting a long time to watch him properly. Reminding me a bit of Sean Lamont so far, with the same level of subtlety.

Hmm. Some slightly odd calls from the ref here.

Glasgow too patchy overall to be upset if they lose this, but I think they could have snuck it with 1 or 2 more of those 50/50s.

Well the chance was there and Jones biffs another try-scoring pass.

Mikey Brown wrote:Well the chance was there and Jones biffs another try-scoring pass.

he was otherwise excellent, Glasgow's best player. Him at 15 is a thing now

disappointing, some good stuff and some rustiness and a few brain dead - mostly from Hastings. Pack miss Zander so much in open play especially. Time to park Kebble and start Seuili

Mikey Brown wrote:I can't tell if Nairn is at fault with these or he's just being given some terrible passes. I feel like I've been waiting a long time to watch him properly. Reminding me a bit of Sean Lamont so far, with the same level of subtlety.

Tonight is consistent with every time I’ve seen Nairn. Big lump, bit of pace, no skills. Can’t see him making it at this level at all I’m afraid.

Yep fair enough, probably just too desperate/hopeful for that big powerful strike runner Scotland need in the backline. A lot of pressure on Duhan.

And yes Jones was very good. Those two passes were still pretty poor though. I wonder what Townsends thoughts are regarding him playing at 15. Maybe a bit of change and perspective will be good for him long term.

Saddens me to see the team that Glasgow can put on the park these days. Squad has been hollowed out over the last three years.

septic 9 wrote:

Mikey Brown wrote:Well the chance was there and Jones biffs another try-scoring pass.

he was otherwise excellent, Glasgow's best player. Him at 15 is a thing now

disappointing, some good stuff and some rustiness and a few brain dead - mostly from Hastings. Pack miss Zander so much in open play especially. Time to park Kebble and start Seuili

Yeah, he was good. Hope he still gets the odd game at 13 too though.

Frustrating game. Seemed like they would win once it all settled down but Connacht just kept coming. I get trying to get up the park in the last ten minutes but did seem to kick it a bit too much then.

Hope Nairn gets some more chances but, yeah, does just seem to rely on his physical attributes at the moment.

Some painful setting up of the caterpillar from Glasgow too. Leaving Price to hook it back through the whole line which, as well as being illegal, eats into his time.

Also, Grigg has widened. Is he trying to turn into Scott Gibbs?

The size of grigg, he used to be a hooker.....right?

Cameo wrote:Also, Grigg has widened. Is he trying to turn into Scott Gibbs?

Scotty Gibbs comparison - exactly what I though watching the game.

Looks like he’s enjoyed himself during lockdown.

Soapy wrote:

Mikey Brown wrote:I can't tell if Nairn is at fault with these or he's just being given some terrible passes. I feel like I've been waiting a long time to watch him properly. Reminding me a bit of Sean Lamont so far, with the same level of subtlety.

Tonight is consistent with every time I’ve seen Nairn. Big lump, bit of pace, no skills. Can’t see him making it at this level at all I’m afraid.

From what I remember of him in the 20s he has always relied on being big and quick. Shame he hasn't really developed at 'Quins or Glasgow.

Big D wrote:

Soapy wrote:

Mikey Brown wrote:I can't tell if Nairn is at fault with these or he's just being given some terrible passes. I feel like I've been waiting a long time to watch him properly. Reminding me a bit of Sean Lamont so far, with the same level of subtlety.

Tonight is consistent with every time I’ve seen Nairn. Big lump, bit of pace, no skills. Can’t see him making it at this level at all I’m afraid.

From what I remember of him in the 20s he has always relied on being big and quick. Shame he hasn't really developed at 'Quins or Glasgow.

he was always tall rather than big if I can make the distinction. As a 16 yo schoolboy he was flagged up as a potential star because he was extremely rapid, he was tall but never used his size. By the time he made the U20s team, much the same, but looked more and more an athlete who played rugby rather than an athletic rugby player.
Last season he looked to have bulked up significantly and in a couple of appearances seemed to have learned to use his size, was very physical in attack and defence. But for whatever reason he hasn't been able to command a run of games, which is indeed disappointing. We don't produce many like him physically - which is one reason he has been persevered with.
Really must be close to a make or break season

Funny game that. 17 nil and cruising then kick a penalty to show how responsible they are and then spend the rest of the game defending in their 22. Has to be seen as a missed chance to get a bonus point.

never remotely looked like getting a BP.
And never really cruising. Losing a player can gee up a team. Cast your mind back a season or so to a Glasgow Scarlets game at Scotstoun. Player red carded, his team won.

Glasgow game plan has changed ( more conservative ), needs tweaking and hasn't bedded in fully yet. Hope that's a big improvement waiting to happen as on that form Glasgow will struggle to reach play offs

septic 9 wrote:never remotely looked like getting a BP.
And never really cruising. Losing a player can gee up a team. Cast your mind back a season or so to a Glasgow Scarlets game at Scotstoun. Player red carded, his team won.

Glasgow game plan has changed ( more conservative ), needs tweaking and hasn't bedded in fully yet. Hope that's a big improvement waiting to happen as on that form Glasgow will struggle to reach play offs

I kinda feel they got on the wrong side of Frank Murphy and then the 50/50s dried up

I think the fact they won it is better for the team then the extra BP

Both scottish teams can defend like their life depends on it, (this week)