Warriors v Dragons 7.30 Friday 2 Nov, Scotstoun, Glasgow

First topic message reminder :

No teams yet - imagine coaches are waiting for the Ints squad returnees. C'mon The Warriors

That's fair enough then.

What is the story with Campbell? Of all the young up&coming locks (Gilchrist, McAlpine, Templeton, Gray jnr., etc), he was the one I had most hope for

I have no idea ASBO. He is the archetypal shape for a modern day lock and before his knee injury, last season, was going great guns.

I think he deserves a place on the bench ahead of Eddie; there is enough flexibility on the bench, in the shape of Barclay and Wilson, to warrant his inclusion.

EST wrote:
I think he deserves a place on the bench ahead of Eddie; there is enough flexibility on the bench, in the shape of Barclay and Wilson, to warrant his inclusion.

+1

Agreed on Nick Campbell - I've seen him twice and have been hugely impressed with his potential. He could be a real enforcer for Glasgow and Scotland. Whilst Ryder and Swinson make a very experienced and workaholic pairing in the second row, there's a lack of power and bulk there.

Ultimately I think Campbell will pip Gilchrist as Scotland's preferred option in the boiler room (with Gray obviously being the other half of the combination). Glasgow should use him more. Campbell behind Cusack would really cause other teams issues.

Given injuries and lack of form from others, does anyone think that Scott Wight is good enough to keep the Glasgow 10 shirt and therefore put himself into Six Nations contention?
I watched the game last week and he looked an improvement to Jackson when he came on, certainly kicking wise (Jackson's kicking from hand always looks pretty poor). I haven't seen him enough to judge if he's a good attacking stand-off or if his defence is good enough or not.

I think he's good enough, but he'll need a run in the jersey to establish himself.

When does Weir return?

Seems Wight is a Toonie type so he may be set. Wee Dunkie is still hobbling apparently.

C'mon The Warriors

"Argus on the Dragons‏@argusondragons

It looked like Phil Price was just sick on the pitch. He raked it into the turf with his studs like a cat at its litter tray."

Lovely

Glasgow 20 - 6 up at half time.
Same again would be good

25-6 up, Ryder gets the third try, looking good at Scotstoun

4th try for Glasgow, bonus point in the bag

Sounds like Niko is having a stormer!

5th try now for Glasgow

Great result for the Weege - TBP against a resilient Dragons side. Matawalu = top signing, just adds so much tempo

AsLongAsBut100ofUs wrote:Great result for the Weege - TBP against a resilient Dragons side. Matawalu = top signing, just adds so much tempo

Not resilient in the slightest. You're being very kind there Asbo.

Apparently only Tom Brown stood up for us again. The rest should be utterly ashamed.

6 Rabo wins in a row very impressive.
Now if we can make it 7 in a row against Leinster that would be very impressive

Why are people talking like scottish club rugby is in crisis? Look at how well Glasgow are doing and this is without their injured players.

Also sean maitland still has to arrive!

Was it as poor a performance as it sounds by the Dragons?

Excellent result and performance. Strauss played his best game yet, but Niko stole the show. His performance was every bit as energetic ad the one he put in against Scotland in the Summer. Pygros has just become 3rd choice.

Wight did well, granted the Dragons gave him all the time in the world to play, certainly for 70 minutes. Cusack dominated in the scrum again and When your loose head scores on a 25 m run you know it's your day.

As for the Dragons they really were woeful, being totally honest 37-6 actually flattered them. Complete shock to me considering regardless of which Dragons XV fronted up at Glasgow you always knew you were on a game, which was not the case tonight.

How did Wight play? Is he now beginning to challenge Jackson and Weir for a Scotland squad place?

Nicoooooooooh Yessssssssss. The Big Strauss fella had a stormer too. Matawalu is mental though - a new folk hero - from Fiji to the West End - magnifico. But yes the Dragons could not score in a brothel - utterly dire.

League now in 2 distinct halves with top half (Ulster, Scarlets, Leinster Glasgow Munster and Ospreys) no too bad and the lower half (Treviso, Cardiff, Connoucht, Dragons, Edinburgh and Zebre) utterly gash.

the big love for Gordy Reid getting his first try! What a run! Asked him if he ever thought he could run that fast... His reply was no!

Also Niko's pass for Seymour 1st was out of this world!! Absolutely fantastic! Try of the season!

If we can play like that, with 12 injured and 6 rested for Scotland then even with the opposition.......

Ulster vs Glasgow Rabo Final, you heard it here first!

Nice mowser UiG !!!!!

MacKnocked-on wrote:How did Wight play? Is he now beginning to challenge Jackson and Weir for a Scotland squad place?

Did well, would think he would need a string of similar performances against more testing opposition before he should be considered in front of Weir. To be fair though he can only do his best and tonight will not have hurt his chances one lite bit.

Squad is developing nicely with only the centres and Hooker really lacking an real depth quality wise.

On the Dragons - lots of ambition, not afraid to throw the ball about, and enjoyed quite a bit of success with pick and drives. Their full-back was fairly solid under the high ball, and was probably the only Dragons player who out-played his counterpart (despite Murchie's try)

BUT - consistent failures in handling, decision making and temperament (honestly, how did Adam Jones stay on the pitch? I'm still baffled) snuffed out whatever momentum they managed to build up. Completely out-muscled in the tight and loose, with some problems in the scrum as well.

It's strange - yes the scoreline flattered the Dragons tonight, but I don't think they're a bad team. Honestly.

Where to start with Glasgow? Ridiculous line speed, nice shape, artful in broken play, played the full 80 with more in the tank, and still with their best players in St Andrews or the Glasgow Royal Infirmary. I think that 'assured' is probably the best word to describe the Warriors - they looked completely calm about everything. Sweetness.

Stand-out performances probably came from Harley, Strauss, Matawalu and Taylor Paris. Harley looks back to his best and tackled like God's own vengeance against anyone who ever made fun of gingers. He was massive tonight and only blotted his copybook by getting on the wrong side of the ref (of who more later...).

Strauss had his best game so far - quite a statement, considering how good he has already been. Am I mental, or did he try to clear a ball near the beginning of the match?

Paris didn't get much space, but found some nice gaps, passed well and always seemed to break the first tackle or, at the very least, gain another three or four meters when caught. Pretty impressive, and my first impression was to wonder whether he really was a sevens specialist - I mean, surely they're not supposed to stand up to this stuff?

And then there's Niko Matawalu... Sublime, ridiculous, awesome, merely brilliant - he was everywhere, involved in everything and damned impressive. You never know (frankly I don't think he knows) what he's about to do. This will cause us problems on occasion, I have no doubts, but if the Warriors can learn to predict his moments of brilliance, we're in for a hell of a season with him. This was probably epitomised by his run for Seymour's first try - he taps, he runs, and runs, and almost scores before being tackled. Then he comes up with a pass of such improbable beauty that Michaelangelo would have dropped his chisel. Seymour gathers and scores. Simples. I also love his cheeky belligerence - he will start something with anyone, be he man, beast, machine or second-row. He has potential to be a hero for the Warriors - tell your friends, a mental man has been spotted playing rugby in the West End.

And now, for my final thought, a short treatise on useless, feckless, gormless, brainless referees like Marius Mitrea. Why can't he spot knock-ons, why can't he punish the correct players in a 3-on-1 punch up (and frankly, why did the linesman stand eighteen inches away from the flying punches and watch, rather than attempt to intervene?), and why can't he recognise that an over officious referee is a hindrance to the game? Mitrea was even more out of his depth than the Dragons - at least they had some guts.

Utter gnob of a touch judge who decided to ignore the 3 on 1 punch up but mysteriously intervened for an offside (?) penalty 70 yards away from play was none other than David Changleng - a complete and utter toss pot !

21st Century Schizoid Man wrote:Utter gnob of a touch judge who decided to ignore the 3 on 1 punch up but mysteriously intervened for an offside (?) penalty 70 yards away from play was none other than David Changleng - a complete and utter toss pot !

Oh yes - it was amazing. He leans in to look at the punch up, as though trying to spot the grounding of a ball, and then walks off. Utterly, utterly bizarre.

I loved the guy in the main stand who shouted something to the effect of "Ahh, Changleng, I thought I recognised you!" right after he made a ridiculous call. With some of the ref and linesmen's decisions, I was worried the crowd were about to start rampaging. Shambolic.

How on earth do we get through to the Rabo Direct Pro12 that these officials are just not good enough. It has been stated on so many other posts. They will do nothing about it though - totally unbelievable !

Still good to see Big Al K take charge on field when he was doing his Water - Boy. Good crowd banter as well Big Chap

Glasgow are shaping up nicely, Townsend deserves some credit.

At full strength they could be quite a prospect, hopefully post Christmas they'll be a bit more fortunate with injuries.

Back-three: Hogg, Lamont, Murchie, Maitland, DTH, Lamont, Seymour, Paris
Centre: Dunbar, Horne, Lamont, DTH, Nathan, Morrison
Half-back: Cusiter, Matawalu, Pyrgros, Weir, Jackson, Wright
Back-row: Strauss, Wilson, Barclay, Harley, Fusaro, Eddie, McDonald
Second-row: Kellock, Ryder, Swinson, Campbell
Hooker: MacArthur, Hall, Gillies
Props: Grant, Welsh, Reid, Cusack, Low, Kalman

Couldn't catch the game tonight. Were Glasgow good or the Dragons dross? Either way, well done Glasgow to get the try-bonus point. Nice to see it looking like we're shaking off the Dragons tag as our bogey team too.

Cryptoyourisan wrote:Couldn't catch the game tonight. Were Glasgow good or the Dragons dross? Either way, well done Glasgow to get the try-bonus point. Nice to see it looking like we're shaking off the Dragons tag as our bogey team too.

Bit of both to be honest. Dragons were poor as I said earlier but that did have a lot to do with us not letting them play.

6 wins in a row in the league should is a great achievement. It's was not that long ago that reaching 6 wins in a season was hard enough!

Paris looked busy and continually came off his wing looking for work. Troy Nathan was very solid apart from one sliced clearance. Matawalu and Strauss were awesome. Pyrgos and Cusiter will do very well indeed to get back into the team after that display by the Fijian. Our front row destroyed theirs at scrum time apart from some eccentric refereeing decisions ! Gordon Reid's try - 25 m dash complete with side step was tremendous to watch (Dragons backs did just that !). Seymour's 1st try was a joy to watch with Niko's flippped pass. He is shaping up to form a very potent back line Hogg, Schlong, DTH, Maitland, Seymour, Dunbar, Horne, Nathan, Murchie. DTH interviewed in the club pre game and his injury is healing nicely apparently. Scott Wight put in another fine show at 10 and kicked all but one conversion from the corner. Bring on Leinster and the Metrosexual Festival Luvvies

Dragons guilty of a number of cheap shots including a 3 on one that went totally unpunished, although right in front of the moronic referee and main stand side touch judge/assistant (the abysmal Mr Changleng). There could/should be some citings therefore.

It was good to see Troy back in a Warriors shirt. He played well and showed why he deserved a chance.

Niko...... What else is there to say!

And the Ref.... Jesus how spineless and gutless can you get. I'm shocked, big Mike was getting battered 3 on 1 trying to defend Tommy Seymour and the touchy gives a penalty to the Dragons??????? Let's hope the Citing Commissioner shows Mr Mitrea and Mr Changleng what he should have done!

Maybe as well Tom Ryder and Tim Swinson were off the field at the time otherwise they would have ploughed in to rescue Mike Cusick - could have been tasty mind you !

In fairness I'm surprised Big Al didn't wade in, and Gerry the Doc... They weren't far away! Two men I'd never mess with!!

Aye good for Big Al doing his water boy and giving it out large to the players when he came on

Uig,

can you use what influence you have to tell them to drop the awful 'I Belong to Glasgow' rubbish song prior to the team coming out. It completely deflates the atmosphere built up and is as lame as a very lame thing. Everyone groans when it starts. Why not play The Fratellis or something ?

Or Biffy Clyro - they are local guys too !! Well from Killie anyway like some of meh oppos

Damn right - I'd love a bit of Biffy!

If they're so attached to it, 'I belong to Glasgow' should be played after the match, when we've won, after everyone's left.

We have attempted to get it changed to something more... modern... But it seems like the ones above don't mind. Still we are trying to get an original song for all the supporters...

To the tune of I love you baby

We love you Glasgow and if it's quite alright,
We love you Glasgow so score some tries tonight,
We love you Glasgow, trust in me when I saaaaay,
Repeat...

And Boom, Blast and Ruin would be an awesome tune...

Am starting to get jealous of this glasgow team, shaping up to be a very good season for glasgow. Good result and by the sounds of things, good performance.

Why do glasgow keep getting the best signings? Swinson, strauss, matawalu, maitland and now paris all look like better players than the nonsense that has arrived at edinburgh!

'I belong to Glasgow' is not the last song played before the team comes out, so don't agree it kills the atmosphere. Pre-Match Last night there was little atmosphere before during and after the song, so don't see what the big issue is with.

For the record I could not care less wither they play it or not.

If they are trying to build up the arrival of the team why play that embarrassing drivel ? Boom, Blast and Ruin by Biffy Clyro please

UlstermaninGlasgow wrote:We have attempted to get it changed to something more... modern... But it seems like the ones above don't mind. Still we are trying to get an original song for all the supporters...

To the tune of I love you baby

We love you Glasgow and if it's quite alright,
We love you Glasgow so score some tries tonight,
We love you Glasgow, trust in me when I saaaaay,
Repeat...

And Boom, Blast and Ruin would be an awesome tune...

Jeez Uig/ Bru the ones above are probably Radio 2 Ken Bruce fans

funnyExiledScot wrote:Am starting to get jealous of this glasgow team, shaping up to be a very good season for glasgow. Good result and by the sounds of things, good performance.

Why do glasgow keep getting the best signings? Swinson, strauss, matawalu, maitland and now paris all look like better players than the nonsense that has arrived at edinburgh!

FES - may the scales fall from your eyes, and lo, realise that West Is Best.

The honest truth is that a lot of these amazing signings have the mark of Lineen upon them and Toonie is benefitting. Just wait until next year when Toonie signs Dewey, Brendan Laney's half blind younger brother, De Rollo, Southwell and the Messiah (carrying multiple leg breaks as a pre-season 'challenge').

As an aside, when I studied in Glasgow, I could never work out why my counterparts in Edinburgh spoke about it so highly. As a middle aged fecker running to fat, I would probably choose the capital now for the pretty and easy life but when you're young and full of the joys, there's so much more to do in the dear green place. And the women are feistier too.

Well said George - although life in the tree lined streets of Glasgow's West End can be rather pleasant - guess thats why we have so many celebs and film luvvies reside here ! Oops better watch what I say there given our new name for the Eastern Brethern - who fund us Western rugby types according to some on these boards !