Japan Tour

[Big D]

Re: defence. I have long stated I think our defence coach isn't up to it.

[OptimisticJock]

Excellent kick

[OptimisticJock]

2nd best in every area

[hugh_woatmeigh]

I'm sort of willing to write off this 1st half as long as it is sensible.

Some of these guys haven't played is 4 or 5 weeks, and some were bit part bench players. Will take a while to knock off rust.

Doesn't change the fact that we'd likely have more points on the board with anyone but Laidlaw at 9. It's pretty much universally agreed that he is a problem amongst Scotland fans.

[hugh_woatmeigh]

Japan driving us back in the tackle. Something we can't even to do them despite weight, size & experience advantages.

Hard not to like them, they never give less than 110%.

[Big D]

I'm sort of willing to write off this 1st half as long as it is sensible.

Some of these guys haven't played is 4 or 5 weeks, and some were bit part bench players. Will take a while to knock off rust.

Doesn't change the fact that we'd likely have more points on the board with anyone but Laidlaw at 9. It's pretty much universally agreed that he is a problem amongst Scotland fans.

I'm well aware of that. I've been one of the biggest Laidlaw haters on here.

There is more than him not playing well.

[hugh_woatmeigh]

I'm sort of willing to write off this 1st half as long as it is sensible.

Some of these guys haven't played is 4 or 5 weeks, and some were bit part bench players. Will take a while to knock off rust.

Doesn't change the fact that we'd likely have more points on the board with anyone but Laidlaw at 9. It's pretty much universally agreed that he is a problem amongst Scotland fans.

I'm well aware of that. I've been one of the biggest Laidlaw haters on here.

There is more than him not playing well.

Sure, I just meant that knocking off the rust wouldn't change a great deal. He is killing anything good these guys do manage to string together. The phases of forward carries around 32/33 mins in their half is a prime example. WTF is he trying to achieve.

I can only assume our boys don't offer themselves at speed because they know Laidlaw won't deliver. Amateurs do this FFS.

[OptimisticJock]

I know the had a penas but that was a poorly executed kick

[Big D]

Why not scrum there?

[OptimisticJock]

Hogg was in there

[hugh_woatmeigh]

Revolutionising international rugby here. Passing to a standstill first receiver over.. and over... and over again.

[Chunks Baws]

Re: defence. I have long stated I think our defence coach isn't up to it.

You're not alone. Did he not get a new contract recently too?

[Chunks Baws]

Revolutionising international rugby here. Passing to a standstill first receiver over.. and over... and over again.

We'll go on and make a two man advantage look like a disadvantage.

[Big D]

Apart from my issues with Laidlaw. We need Pyrgos on. We need a back up 9 to get gametime.

Jackson deserves a decent speed of delivery from the 9 supplying him too.

[hugh_woatmeigh]

Re: defence. I have long stated I think our defence coach isn't up to it.

You're not alone. Did he not get a new contract recently too?

We seem to rush out the line a lot and miss the first tackle. Player running through the resulting gap causes all kinds of problems. Seymour, Hardie and Taylor do this a LOT.

[Big D]

Re: defence. I have long stated I think our defence coach isn't up to it.

You're not alone. Did he not get a new contract recently too?

We seem to rush out the line a lot and miss the first tackle. Player running through the resulting gap causes all kinds of problems. Seymour, Hardie and Taylor do this a LOT.

Wilson is quick out the line too (made some tackles though) which suggests it's a plan.

[hugh_woatmeigh]

You're not alone. Did he not get a new contract recently too?

We seem to rush out the line a lot and miss the first tackle. Player running through the resulting gap causes all kinds of problems. Seymour, Hardie and Taylor do this a LOT.

Wilson is quick out the line too (made some tackles though) which suggests it's a plan.

How is rushing out of the defensive line a plan? Not disagreeing with your observation but how can a coach of any calibre instruct players to do that it's exceptionally dangerous.

[Big D]

It seems too common for the coaches not to have done something about it if it's not.

There is a type of gameplan where the aim is for one person to shoot and try and kill the attack behind the gain line*.

Not saying that's what's happening just that for it not to be a plan and the coaches to not stop the repeatedly doing it over several games would be strange.

*although it wouldbe unusual for a winger to need to do this.

[hugh_woatmeigh]

We don't have the personnel to do it anyway. You need a Moody or Favaro type player.

[Matt Ha]

How long is this half-time break?

[hugh_woatmeigh]

Well done Hoyland! Shame he couldn't finish it.

Laidlaw trying to milk the pen in front of the post, just get the ball out!

[hugh_woatmeigh]

Delighted we've got the score but we are no going to use the backline today? Laidlaw choosing to run down a non existent blindside instead of release Jackson & co.

[Chunks Baws]

What the fuck were the Grays doing there? That was just dumb as fuck.

[hugh_woatmeigh]

What the fuck were the Grays doing there? That was just dumb as fuck.

JG still had the ball but yes it was brainless. Just like everything else we've done this game.

We should be home free after playing against Japan with 13 men for 10 minutes. Instead it's still all to play for. They will be well up for this last 20 mins.

[hugh_woatmeigh]

Laidlaw needs to realise that being a scrum half does not excuse you from rucking. If the ball is being contested, potentially turned over. You get in there. Along with defence we are one of the worst teams at playing stand-in scrum half. Why? Every other international scrum half will ruck when required.