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Scotland player ratings vs Wales - 2021 Six Nations

Hamish Watson kneels, dejected /PA

Scotland player ratings: Scotland were unable to back up their Calcutta Cup win of last weekend as they fell to Wales at Murrayfield.

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A second-half red card for Zander Fagerson proved costly as the visitors secured their second successive victory, while Scotland were unable to capitalise on a dominant first-half showing.

Here’s our Scotland player ratings.

15. STUART HOGG – 8
An outstanding showing from Scotland’s captain, who took his try well after gathering his own chip through. A lovely stepping break caused havoc for Wales.

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14. DARCY GRAHAM – 7
Hasn’t played since January 2 for personal reasons, but looked lively throughout to get himself involved. A lovely finish for his try to get on the end of Price’s kick. The man unlucky to be removed when Scotland needed a prop.

13. CHRIS HARRIS – 7
Made a couple of early half breaks to put Scotland on the front foot, and linked well with Duhan van der Merwe in defence to shut down the Welsh attacking options.

12. JAMES LANG – 6
A quiet outing for the Harlequins man who carried for just eight metres. Lang combined well to keep Welsh midfield quiet, and get the ball to Scotland’s danger men. Huw Jones offered more of a carrying threat once he came on.

11. DUHAN VAN DER MERWE – 7
Always makes good ground with ball in hand, whether in heavy traffic or the open expanses. Rushed out of the line for Wales’ first try, but nearly got away late on to snatch victory.

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10. FINN RUSSELL – 7
Some lovely touches in attack, and nearly put Duhan van der Merwe away for the match-winning score late on. An assured showing, but should have taken the points when they were on offer.

9. ALI PRICE – 6
Box kicks were targeted by England, but a much more assured performance today as he turned Wales time and time again. Got Scotland moving in attack and supplied a lovely assist to Graham’s try.
Kicked the ball away late on which made Scotland’s task even harder.

RORY SUTHERLAND – 6
Part of a dominant scrum, and added to the carrying threat when Scotland were dominant.

2. GEORGE TURNER – 6
A couple of lineout wobbles won’t have pleased the hooker, but he got his hands on the ball regularly before making way inside the final quarter.

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3. ZANDER FAGERSON – 5
The red card hugely costly as he collided with Wyn Jones, who’d also got the better of a couple of scrum exchanges.

Scotland player ratings
Zander Fagerson gets his marching orders /PA

4. SCOTT CUMMINGS – 6
A quitter shift than a week ago, but offered himself tirelessly in attack and often used as the link between Price and Russell. Once again showed his engine by shifting to the back-row late on.

5. JONNY GRAY– 7
Supported Russell’s linebreak well to get the offload and put Scotland on the front foot for their opening try. A constant carrier, too.

6. BLADE THOMSON – 6
Off early but made one big charge just before being injured. His frustrations in the navy blue continue.

7. HAMISH WATSON – 8
Worked as hard as anyone, whether carrying or making 13 tackles, while also kept Justin Tipuric quiet – no easy feat.

8. MATT FAGERSON – 7
A costly penalty in the build-up to Wales’ first try. He carried well and added physicality to the defensive effort.

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O
Oh no, not him again? 2 hours ago
England internationals disagree on final play execution vs All Blacks

Okay, so we blew it big time on Saturday. So rather than repeating what most people have all ready said, what do I want to see from Borthwick going forward?


Let's keep Marcus Smith on the pitch if he's fit and playing well. I was really pleased with his goal kicking. It used to be his weakness. I feel sympathy for George Ford who hadn't kicked all match and then had a kick to win the game. You hear pundits and commentators commend kickers who have come off the bench and pulled that off. Its not easy. If Steve B continues to substitute players with no clear reason then he is going to get criticised.


On paper I thought England would beat NZ if they played to their potential and didn't show NZ too much respect. Okay, the off the ball tackles certainly stopped England scoring tries, but I would have liked to see more smashing over gainlines and less kicking for position. Yes, I also know it's the Springbok endorsed world cup double winning formula but the Kiwi defence isn't the Bok defence, is it. If you have the power to put Smith on the front foot then why muzzle him? I guess what I'm saying is back, yourself. Why give the momentum to a team like NZ? Why feed the beast? Don't give the ball to NZ. Well d'uh.


Our scrum is a long term weakness. If you are going to play Itoje then he needs an ogre next door and a decent front row. Where is our third world class lock? Where are are realible front row bench replacements? The England scrum has been flakey for a while now. It blows hot and cold. Our front five bench is not world class.


On the positive side I love our starting backrow right now. I'd like to see them stick together through to the next world cup.


Anyway, there is always another Saturday.

7 Go to comments
C
CO 2 hours ago
Scott Robertson responds to criticism over All Blacks' handling errors

Robertson is more a manager of coaches than a coach so it comes down to intent of outcomes at a high level. I like his intent, I like the fact his Allblacks are really driving the outcomes however as he's pointed out the high error rates are not test level and their control of the game is driving both wins and losses. England didn't have to play a lot of rugby, they made far fewer mistakes and were extremely unlucky not to win.


In fact the English team were very early in their season and should've been comfortably beaten by an Allblacks team that had played multiple tests together.


Razor has himself recognised that to be the best they'll have to sort out the crisis levels of mistakes that have really increased since the first two tests against England.


Early tackles were a classic example of hyper enthusiasm to not give an inch, that passion that Razor has achieved is going to be formidable once the unforced errors are eliminated.


That's his secret, he's already rebuilt the passion and that's the most important aspect, its inevitable that he'll now eradicate the unforced errors. When that happens a fellow tier one nation is going to get thrashed. I don't think it will be until 2025 though.


The Allblacks will lose both tests against Ireland and France if they play high error rates rugby like they did against England.


To get the unforced errors under control he's going to be needing to handover the number eight role to Sititi and reset expectations of what loose forwards do. Establish a clear distinction with a large, swarthy lineout jumper at six that is a feared runner and dominant tackler and a turnover specialist at seven that is abrasive in contact. He'll then need to build depth behind the three starters and ruthlessly select for that group to be peaking in 2027 in hit Australian conditions on firm, dry grounds.


It's going to help him that Savea is shifting to the worst super rugby franchise where he's going to struggle behind a beaten pack every week.


The under performing loose forward trio is the key driver of the high error rates and unacceptable turn overs due to awol link work. Sititi is looking like he's superman compared to his openside and eight.


At this late stage in the season they shouldn't be operating with just the one outstanding loose forward out of four selected for the English test. That's an abject failure but I think Robertson's sacrificing link quality on purpose to build passion amongst the junior Allblacks as they see the reverential treatment the old warhorses are receiving for their long term hard graft.


It's unfortunately losing test matches and making what should be comfortable wins into nail biters but it's early in the world cup cycle so perhaps it's a sacrifice worth making.


However if this was F1 then Sam Cane would be Riccardo and Ardie would be heading into Perez territory so the loose forwards desperately need revitalisation through a rebuild over the next season to complement the formidable tight five.

28 Go to comments
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