NPR

Posted: **Thu Oct 21, 2021 7:44 pm**

The Sams are back !!

Posted: **Thu Oct 21, 2021 7:49 pm**

So on Sat 8pm BST.

Assume around 8am NZT Sunday??

Posted: **Thu Oct 21, 2021 7:53 pm**

Is this our match thread then?

I made a specific mention of not trying to create another all in one match thread.

Posted: **Thu Oct 21, 2021 7:58 pm**

Think it's 8:30am NZ Daylight Time.

Also, please do start an official match thread. It can get a bit confusing knowing where to post stuff like team lists.

Posted: **Thu Oct 21, 2021 9:29 pm**

Thor Sedan wrote: Tue Oct 05, 2021 9:05 am NZ v Wales, Italy, Ireland and France.....

Erm.......I can see us coming away with 2 maybe 3 losses if the last 2 games have been anything to go by. Wales, Ireland and France should be pretty confident.

Scotland must be gutted they don't get to have a crack at a 'not particularly great' AB's side.

I am, actually. Largely because a game v NZ would give us an accurate barometer of where we are at just now.

Covid cost us our first chance to tour in NZ in forever, so we haven’t actually played the ABs since 2017 (when Hogg so nearly gave us the win with that break at the death). We’ve only played NZ three times in the last decade - we’ve played Australia and SA 6 times each in the same time period.

Posted: **Fri Oct 22, 2021 8:46 am**

Yr Alban wrote: Thu Oct 21, 2021 9:29 pm
Thor Sedan wrote: Tue Oct 05, 2021 9:05 am NZ v Wales, Italy, Ireland and France.....

Erm.......I can see us coming away with 2 maybe 3 losses if the last 2 games have been anything to go by. Wales, Ireland and France should be pretty confident.

Scotland must be gutted they don't get to have a crack at a 'not particularly great' AB's side.
I am, actually. Largely because a game v NZ would give us an accurate barometer of where we are at just now.

Covid cost us our first chance to tour in NZ in forever, so we haven’t actually played the ABs since 2017 (when Hogg so nearly gave us the win with that break at the death). We’ve only played NZ three times in the last decade - we’ve played Australia and SA 6 times each in the same time period.

And considering most AB's supporters would far rather spend a day in Edinburgh and Murrayfield than Twickenham and the Tube - it is a travesty that we don't get to play the Scots every year.

Best weekend destination for rugby hands down!

Posted: **Fri Oct 22, 2021 9:27 am**

Thor Sedan wrote: Fri Oct 22, 2021 8:46 am
Yr Alban wrote: Thu Oct 21, 2021 9:29 pm
Thor Sedan wrote: Tue Oct 05, 2021 9:05 am NZ v Wales, Italy, Ireland and France.....

Erm.......I can see us coming away with 2 maybe 3 losses if the last 2 games have been anything to go by. Wales, Ireland and France should be pretty confident.

Scotland must be gutted they don't get to have a crack at a 'not particularly great' AB's side.
I am, actually. Largely because a game v NZ would give us an accurate barometer of where we are at just now.

Covid cost us our first chance to tour in NZ in forever, so we haven’t actually played the ABs since 2017 (when Hogg so nearly gave us the win with that break at the death). We’ve only played NZ three times in the last decade - we’ve played Australia and SA 6 times each in the same time period.
And considering most AB's supporters would far rather spend a day in Edinburgh and Murrayfield than Twickenham and the Tube - it is a travesty that we don't get to play the Scots every year.

Best weekend destination for rugby hands down!

Nah! Rome's the best rugby weekend in Europe or Marseille!

Posted: **Fri Oct 22, 2021 6:12 pm**

Japan v Aus tomorrow 5.30am BST

Posted: **Mon Oct 25, 2021 7:36 am**

I hope our Welsh colleagues on bored don't leave it till the last minute before starting their Official Wales vs All Blacks Match Fred.

Please.

Posted: **Mon Oct 25, 2021 7:40 am**

I assume we'll do an overarching match thread for each weekend again? Thought that worked well before.

Posted: **Mon Oct 25, 2021 2:50 pm**

Gumboot wrote: Mon Oct 25, 2021 7:36 am I hope our Welsh colleagues on bored don't leave it till the last minute before starting their Official Wales vs All Blacks Match Fred.

Please.

I’m hoping the whole thing will go away if I ignore it. How would the ABs cope with the shame of being their first team to lose to Wales in nearly seventy years? That in itself pretty well guarantees it won’t happen.

Posted: **Mon Oct 25, 2021 4:58 pm**

Paddington Bear wrote: Mon Oct 25, 2021 7:40 am I assume we'll do an overarching match thread for each weekend again? Thought that worked well before.

Yes, that works very well.

Posted: **Tue Oct 26, 2021 11:59 am**

Are we using this as an Autumn International catch all then? If so, perhaps the title needs changed.

Posted: **Tue Oct 26, 2021 12:01 pm**

Slick wrote: Tue Oct 26, 2021 11:59 am Are we using this as an Autumn International catch all then? If so, perhaps the title needs changed.

Motherless already foolishly created a Wales vs NZ thread

Posted: **Tue Oct 26, 2021 12:02 pm**

Sandstorm wrote: Tue Oct 26, 2021 12:01 pm
Slick wrote: Tue Oct 26, 2021 11:59 am Are we using this as an Autumn International catch all then? If so, perhaps the title needs changed.
Motherless already foolishly created a Wales vs NZ thread

He’s basically a bastard but we can carry on

Posted: **Tue Oct 26, 2021 6:06 pm**

Sorry, shall I re title the thread

Posted: **Wed Oct 27, 2021 6:32 am**

So are the spring jocks going to have best players available? Assuming this game is outside the international window (how bloody small is the window now? It’s not like many weeks of games?)

Is Russell available from Racing for example?

I think Tonga is a bit depleted I read. But not sure how much of that is due to the window and how much is it because players have made themselves unavailable even over the window (club pressure).
Perhaps this isn’t the case at all though, and I mis recalled it.

Posted: **Wed Oct 27, 2021 6:38 am**

No, only players based in Scotland - which is most of them, but not the star guys like Hogg, Fin, Hastings etc. Also most of our Lions haven’t played for 8-10 weeks so not sure if they will be considered.

It will be quite a young, inexperienced team with a few old heads dotted about I expect. It’s test in as much as we think we have much greater strength in depth than we usually have. We shall see!

Posted: **Wed Oct 27, 2021 6:40 am**

Ok, so in same boat as many except the all blacks this weekend.

Posted: **Wed Oct 27, 2021 6:42 am**

Slick wrote: Wed Oct 27, 2021 6:38 amNo, only players based in Scotland - which is most of them, but not the star guys like Hogg, Fin, Hastings etc. Also most of our Lions haven’t played for 8-10 weeks so not sure if they will be considered.

It will be quite a young, inexperienced team with a few old heads dotted about I expect. It’s test in as much as we think we have much greater strength in depth than we usually have. We shall see!

Sounds like you guys will be fielding a strong team. Excellent. Game on!

Posted: **Wed Oct 27, 2021 6:46 am**

Found this.

https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/196 ... nce-shine/

“ Tonga will probably view that game as a massive high in the history of them as a rugby team,” Townsend said last week after announcing a squad of 42 for his team’s block of four games. “And we’ll be working so it doesn’t happen again.

“They’re very dangerous. They can score a try out of nothing and they’re a hugely motivated team - they’re going to be tough opponents. I don’t think there’s a team in world rugby or a group of people who tackle harder than the Tongans.

“There’s the unknown factor as well. They will be putting a team together that probably hasn’t played much, so we’re not going to be able to look at footage of how this team plays.”

Tonga’s head coach, the former Wallabies international Toutai Kefu, has not travelled to Europe with his squad as he is still recovering from an attack by intruders at his home in Brisbane in August. And, as Townsend suggested, this group of touring players has not had much of an opportunity to get to know each other, with the usual geographical difficulties in assembling a squad having been exacerbated by Covid concerns.

Such factors will enhance Scotland’s status as strong favourites, but the playing field could be leveled somewhat by the unavailability to Townsend of those Scots based in England and France. Unlike the three games next month against Australia, South Africa and Japan, Saturday’s match is being held outside World Rugby’s recognised international window, which means that the likes of British & Irish Lions Stuart Hogg, Finn Russell, Chris Harris, Rory Sutherland and Duhan van der Merwe need not be released by their clubs.

Another Lion, Edinburgh’s Hamish Watson, has yet to play this season, having been nursing a groin injury since returning from South Africa. Glasgow’s Ali Price and Zander Fagerson, meanwhile, only returned to action from a long post-tour break in the Warriors’ home defeat by Leinster on Friday night, so they will be a bit short of full match fitness.

A Scotland team shorn of the majority of its eight-strong Lions contingent is clearly below full strength. However, Townsend is convinced there is a value to having a full squad that is gleaned from only a small number of clubs - in this case, Glasgow, Edinburgh, and possibly South Africa’s Sharks as well, presuming uncapped back-row forward Dylan Richardson is chosen.

“In international rugby, success is based on cohesion,” the coach continued. “It’s tougher for us now to build that cohesion, because we’ve got so many players playing outside of Scotland - but not for this game.

“It will be a factor in selection: club combinations can help with defensive systems, with what you’re looking to do in attack. It also is an opportunity to see players who may not normally get the opportunity - we didn’t get the chance in the summer to see those players play together at Test level against higher-quality opposition (because all three planned matches had to be cancelled because of Covid).

“It’s a good thing that the game is first up - sometimes you play the game outside the window after the three Test matches. This gives us a chance to work with a different group to put our game in place, and then go on with our full squad for the three toughest games - Australia, South Africa and Japan.”

The absence of Racing 92 stand-off Russell and Gloucester playmaker Adam Hastings will mean that either Edinburgh’s Blair Kinghorn or Glasgow’s uncapped Ross Thompson starts in the No 10 jersey. There are another ten uncapped players in the 42 besides Thompson and Richardson, with several others in the running for a debut against the Tongans.

If Watson is ruled out, Glasgow openside Rory Darge could get the chance to bring his outstanding club form into the international arena. Warriors winger Rufus McLean is also firmly in the running after some impressive appearances, and Edinburgh prop Pierre Schoeman is set to make a long-awaited debut after qualifying on the residence rule.

Posted: **Wed Oct 27, 2021 8:23 am**

Ymx wrote: Wed Oct 27, 2021 6:46 am Found this.

https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/196 ... nce-shine/

“ Tonga will probably view that game as a massive high in the history of them as a rugby team,” Townsend said last week after announcing a squad of 42 for his team’s block of four games. “And we’ll be working so it doesn’t happen again.

“They’re very dangerous. They can score a try out of nothing and they’re a hugely motivated team - they’re going to be tough opponents. I don’t think there’s a team in world rugby or a group of people who tackle harder than the Tongans.

“There’s the unknown factor as well. They will be putting a team together that probably hasn’t played much, so we’re not going to be able to look at footage of how this team plays.”

Tonga’s head coach, the former Wallabies international Toutai Kefu, has not travelled to Europe with his squad as he is still recovering from an attack by intruders at his home in Brisbane in August. And, as Townsend suggested, this group of touring players has not had much of an opportunity to get to know each other, with the usual geographical difficulties in assembling a squad having been exacerbated by Covid concerns.

Such factors will enhance Scotland’s status as strong favourites, but the playing field could be leveled somewhat by the unavailability to Townsend of those Scots based in England and France. Unlike the three games next month against Australia, South Africa and Japan, Saturday’s match is being held outside World Rugby’s recognised international window, which means that the likes of British & Irish Lions Stuart Hogg, Finn Russell, Chris Harris, Rory Sutherland and Duhan van der Merwe need not be released by their clubs.

Another Lion, Edinburgh’s Hamish Watson, has yet to play this season, having been nursing a groin injury since returning from South Africa. Glasgow’s Ali Price and Zander Fagerson, meanwhile, only returned to action from a long post-tour break in the Warriors’ home defeat by Leinster on Friday night, so they will be a bit short of full match fitness.

A Scotland team shorn of the majority of its eight-strong Lions contingent is clearly below full strength. However, Townsend is convinced there is a value to having a full squad that is gleaned from only a small number of clubs - in this case, Glasgow, Edinburgh, and possibly South Africa’s Sharks as well, presuming uncapped back-row forward Dylan Richardson is chosen.

“In international rugby, success is based on cohesion,” the coach continued. “It’s tougher for us now to build that cohesion, because we’ve got so many players playing outside of Scotland - but not for this game.

“It will be a factor in selection: club combinations can help with defensive systems, with what you’re looking to do in attack. It also is an opportunity to see players who may not normally get the opportunity - we didn’t get the chance in the summer to see those players play together at Test level against higher-quality opposition (because all three planned matches had to be cancelled because of Covid).

“It’s a good thing that the game is first up - sometimes you play the game outside the window after the three Test matches. This gives us a chance to work with a different group to put our game in place, and then go on with our full squad for the three toughest games - Australia, South Africa and Japan.”

The absence of Racing 92 stand-off Russell and Gloucester playmaker Adam Hastings will mean that either Edinburgh’s Blair Kinghorn or Glasgow’s uncapped Ross Thompson starts in the No 10 jersey. There are another ten uncapped players in the 42 besides Thompson and Richardson, with several others in the running for a debut against the Tongans.

If Watson is ruled out, Glasgow openside Rory Darge could get the chance to bring his outstanding club form into the international arena. Warriors winger Rufus McLean is also firmly in the running after some impressive appearances, and Edinburgh prop Pierre Schoeman is set to make a long-awaited debut after qualifying on the residence rule.

Rory Darge has been my favourite player in a Glasgow shirt this season and the end of last season. I hope he gets a start and looking forward to how he goes. Ritchie and Watson probably have the 6 & 7 shirts nailed down but I think Darge will push them.

Posted: **Wed Oct 27, 2021 4:12 pm**

Gumboot wrote: Thu Oct 21, 2021 7:35 pm ABs to play the USA:

1. Ethan de Groot (2 caps)
2. Asafo Aumua (4)
3. Angus Ta’avao (19)
4. Samuel Whitelock (127) - captain
5. Tupou Vaa’i (7)
6. Luke Jacobson (10)
7. Dalton Papalii (9)
8. Hoskins Sotutu (8)

9. Finlay Christie (3)
10. Richie Mo’unga (27)
11. George Bridge (16)
12. Quinn Tupaea (4)
13. Braydon Ennor (2)
14. Will Jordan (9)
15. Damian McKenzie (37)

16. Dane Coles (76)
17. George Bower (8)
18. Tyrel Lomax (10)
19. Josh Lord - new cap
20. Sam Cane (74)
21. TJ Perenara (75)
22. Beauden Barrett (98)
23. Anton Lienert-Brown (53)

Oh, so the ABs have finally poached Christie after all?

(Before I get a load of grief, this is entirely TIC, but the guy was born in Peebles, and we get endless grief for picking players born outside Scotland).

Posted: **Wed Oct 27, 2021 5:44 pm**

SCOTLAND (vs Tonga, Saturday)
15. Darcy Graham – Edinburgh Rugby – 19 caps
14. Kyle Steyn – Glasgow Warriors – 1 cap
13. Sione Tuipulotu – Glasgow Warriors – Uncapped
12. Sam Johnson – Glasgow Warriors – 18 caps
11. Rufus McLean – Glasgow Warriors – Uncapped
10. Blair Kinghorn – Edinburgh Rugby – 25 caps
9. Ali Price (cc) – Glasgow Warriors – 42 caps
1. Pierre Schoeman – Edinburgh Rugby – Uncapped
2. George Turner – Glasgow Warriors – 17 caps
3. Zander Fagerson – Glasgow Warriors – 38 caps
4. Jamie Hodgson – Edinburgh Rugby – Uncapped
5. Rob Harley – Glasgow Warriors – 22 caps
6. Jamie Ritchie (cc) – Edinburgh Rugby – 27 caps
7. Hamish Watson – Edinburgh Rugby – 41 caps
8. Matt Fagerson – Glasgow Warriors – 13 caps

Replacements
16. Stuart McInally – Edinburgh Rugby – 40 caps
17. Jamie Bhatti – Glasgow Warriors – 18 caps
18. Oli Kebble – Glasgow Warriors – 8 caps
19. Marshall Sykes – Edinburgh Rugby – Uncapped
20. Luke Crosbie – Edinburgh Rugby – Uncapped
21. Nick Haining – Edinburgh Rugby – 8 caps
22. Jamie Dobie – Glasgow Warriors – Uncapped
23. Ross Thompson – Glasgow Warriors – Uncapped

Posted: **Wed Oct 27, 2021 5:51 pm**

Scotland aren’t going to finish that game wondering “what if?”
That’s a running backline

Posted: **Wed Oct 27, 2021 8:26 pm**

Pierre Schoeman making his debut.

What happened to Duhan?

Posted: **Wed Oct 27, 2021 8:30 pm**

OomStruisbaai wrote: Wed Oct 27, 2021 8:26 pm Pierre Schoeman making his debut.

What happened to Duhan?

Plays at Worcester now. They don't have to release their players yet, it's only home based players for Tonga.

Posted: **Thu Oct 28, 2021 2:21 pm**

Anyone had any luck finding the Tongan team list?

Posted: **Thu Oct 28, 2021 2:22 pm**

Jock42 wrote: Wed Oct 27, 2021 8:30 pm
OomStruisbaai wrote: Wed Oct 27, 2021 8:26 pm Pierre Schoeman making his debut.

What happened to Duhan?
Plays at Worcester now. They don't have to release their players yet, it's only home based players for Tonga.

He might be regretting it - not only are Worcs awful, but it seems to be hurting his personal form.

Posted: **Thu Oct 28, 2021 2:41 pm**

Ymx wrote: Thu Oct 28, 2021 2:21 pm Anyone had any luck finding the Tongan team list?

Tonga only picked European based players and the French clubs were good enough to release a fair few.

Posted: **Thu Oct 28, 2021 8:15 pm**

JM2K6 wrote: Thu Oct 28, 2021 2:22 pm
Jock42 wrote: Wed Oct 27, 2021 8:30 pm
OomStruisbaai wrote: Wed Oct 27, 2021 8:26 pm Pierre Schoeman making his debut.

What happened to Duhan?
Plays at Worcester now. They don't have to release their players yet, it's only home based players for Tonga.
He might be regretting it - not only are Worcs awful, but it seems to be hurting his personal form.

I wonder if it would have been a different story had Cockers left earlier. Saying that he's had a large bump in wages.

Posted: **Fri Oct 29, 2021 8:49 am**

a question for the Kiwis, what happened to Jack Goodhue?

Has he been banned for his haircut? He looked a bit of a player.

Posted: **Fri Oct 29, 2021 8:15 pm**

Scotland should and will attack the Tonga set pieces. These touring PI teams always struggle to keep possession and momentum through the forwards.

Posted: **Sat Oct 30, 2021 7:54 am**

There has been A LOT of rain over the last 48 hours and continuing in fits and starts this morning. But this afternoon looks like it is going to be dry and sunny

Posted: **Sat Oct 30, 2021 8:35 am**

Tichtheid wrote: Fri Oct 29, 2021 8:49 am a question for the Kiwis, what happened to Jack Goodhue?

Has he been banned for his haircut? He looked a bit of a player.

Had an ACL, but his form wasn’t great either since being moved from centre to second five, IMO

Posted: **Sat Oct 30, 2021 10:11 am**

JM2K6 wrote: Thu Oct 28, 2021 2:22 pm
Jock42 wrote: Wed Oct 27, 2021 8:30 pm
OomStruisbaai wrote: Wed Oct 27, 2021 8:26 pm Pierre Schoeman making his debut.

What happened to Duhan?
Plays at Worcester now. They don't have to release their players yet, it's only home based players for Tonga.
He might be regretting it - not only are Worcs awful, but it seems to be hurting his personal form.

I'm sure both he and Sutherland have increased their earning substantially but you have to question the due diligence they did on the club they were joining?

Posted: **Sat Oct 30, 2021 10:17 am**

SaintK wrote: Sat Oct 30, 2021 10:11 am
JM2K6 wrote: Thu Oct 28, 2021 2:22 pm
Jock42 wrote: Wed Oct 27, 2021 8:30 pm

Plays at Worcester now. They don't have to release their players yet, it's only home based players for Tonga.
He might be regretting it - not only are Worcs awful, but it seems to be hurting his personal form.
I'm sure both he and Sutherland have increased their earning substantially but you have to question the due diligence they did on the club they were joining?

I think both of them had lined their moves up before they were picked for the Lions. If they were looking for a club right now, they’d probably have more offers.

Posted: **Sat Oct 30, 2021 10:27 am**

With Scotland picking 2 captains it will be interesting to see how that works with the ref.

If he calls both of them over I guess we can expect South Africa to have 15 vice captains next week.

Posted: **Sat Oct 30, 2021 10:48 am**

Slick wrote: Sat Oct 30, 2021 10:27 am With Scotland picking 2 captains it will be interesting to see how that works with the ref.

If he calls both of them over I guess we can expect South Africa to have 15 vice captains next week.

I reckon Richie will be the 'senior' of the 2.

Posted: **Sat Oct 30, 2021 10:52 am**

Slick wrote: Sat Oct 30, 2021 10:27 am With Scotland picking 2 captains it will be interesting to see how that works with the ref.

If he calls both of them over I guess we can expect South Africa to have 15 vice captains next week.

NPR

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Re: EOYT thread : Scotland v Tonga - Sat 30th 2.30pm

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Re: EOYT thread : Scotland v Tonga - Sat 30th 2.30pm

Re: EOYT thread : Scotland v Tonga - Sat 30th 2.30pm

Re: EOYT thread : Scotland v Tonga - Sat 30th 2.30pm

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Re: EOYT Schedule

Re: EOYT thread : Scotland v Tonga - Sat 30th 2.30pm

Re: EOYT thread : Scotland v Tonga - Sat 30th 2.30pm

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Re: EOYT thread : Scotland v Tonga - Sat 30th 2.30pm

Re: EOYT thread : Scotland v Tonga - Sat 30th 2.30pm

Re: EOYT thread : Scotland v Tonga - Sat 30th 2.30pm

Re: EOYT thread : Scotland v Tonga - Sat 30th 2.30pm

Re: EOYT thread : Scotland v Tonga - Sat 30th 2.30pm

Re: EOYT thread : Scotland v Tonga - Sat 30th 2.30pm

Re: EOYT thread : Scotland v Tonga - Sat 30th 2.30pm

Re: EOYT thread : Scotland v Tonga - Sat 30th 2.30pm

Re: EOYT thread : Scotland v Tonga - Sat 30th 2.30pm

Re: EOYT thread : Scotland v Tonga - Sat 30th 2.30pm

Re: EOYT thread : Scotland v Tonga - Sat 30th 2.30pm

Re: EOYT thread : Scotland v Tonga - Sat 30th 2.30pm

Re: EOYT thread : Scotland v Tonga - Sat 30th 2.30pm

Re: EOYT thread : Scotland v Tonga - Sat 30th 2.30pm