Scotland v Australia Sunday 7th November 2021

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Scotland v Australia
Sunday 7th November 2021
BT Murrayfield Stadium
Edinburgh

KO 14.15
Love on Amazon Prime


Well the warm up with Tonga is done and dusted and now the big boys are coming to town. Australia don't quite have the aura of NZ or SA but undoubtedly undergoing a bit of a renaissance under their new coaching team, which, just to add some spice to the occasion, consists largely of ex Glasgow and Scotland coaches Dave Rennie, Matt Taylor and Petrus du Plessis . DR was a bit of a mixed bag at Glasgow and left with maybe the feeling that he could and should have achieved a bit more but to say he is anything other than a rugby coach at the very top of the game would not do him justice. He will know the Scottish players very well and just what they can bring to the party.

Unfortunately for him, they have had to leave 3 of their best players behind, who have choosen club over country but he will add some top European based Auusie's to his squad such as Skelton and Rory Arnold, it is hard to see how they won't improve the team.

Scotland will also get their absent players back and we can expect to see our strongest team out for this fixture. A few of the kids put their hands up in the Tonga game but this is more likely to be a game for the older hands with more changes likely to come in the subsequent games. I would imagaine a team something along these lines:


1. Sutherland - if fit, he pulled out of last weeks game
2. Turner
3. Fagerson Z
4. Gilchrist
5. Skinner
6. Ritchie
7. Watson
8. Fagerson M
9. Price
10. Russell
11. VDM - looked back in his best form this weekend
12. Johnson
13. Harris
14. Steyn
15. Hogg


Subs

Bhatti
McInally
Keeble
Hodgson - probably shaded Sykes on last weeks game
Richardson - Toonie curveball!
Dobie
Hastings
Mclean

Zander could be in trouble too

No 7&1/2 wrote:

Heaf wrote:

No 7&1/2 wrote:Very close decision. Not sure it was right though.

Not sure either - OK with the ball carrier being at the front when they made contact so no obstruction however I thought 3 or more players pre-binding before contact was now illegal?  I'd have to see a replay but it looked like they may have formed up in a 3 before making contact?

Ah I think it was in Watsons hands before contact. Close!

But what about the pre-latching?

Try off for the dodgy clear out

It was a double movement in any case

Heaf wrote:

No 7&1/2 wrote:

Heaf wrote:

No 7&1/2 wrote:Very close decision. Not sure it was right though.

Not sure either - OK with the ball carrier being at the front when they made contact so no obstruction however I thought 3 or more players pre-binding before contact was now illegal?  I'd have to see a replay but it looked like they may have formed up in a 3 before making contact?

Ah I think it was in Watsons hands before contact. Close!

But what about the pre-latching?

Can only have 1 person bound before ball is in hand but they all joined after he had caught it so no problem for me. Harsh yellow that though.

Heaf wrote:

No 7&1/2 wrote:

Heaf wrote:

No 7&1/2 wrote:Very close decision. Not sure it was right though.

Not sure either - OK with the ball carrier being at the front when they made contact so no obstruction however I thought 3 or more players pre-binding before contact was now illegal?  I'd have to see a replay but it looked like they may have formed up in a 3 before making contact?

Ah I think it was in Watsons hands before contact. Close!

But what about the pre-latching?

You can prebind as long as the ball is still in the hands of the front player. It becomes obstruction if the first player have relinquished possession before contact with the defence

I thought they changed the laws recently to make it illegal for 3 or more players to pre-bind before making contact wit the opposition?

A bit Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde so far from Scotland. Really need to just calm it down a bit and play in the right areas of the field.

Heaf wrote:I thought they changed the laws recently to make it illegal for 3 or more players to pre-bind before making contact wit the opposition?

Ha. True enough. But if that's that's case they've got to be pulled up for offside anyway as that's when the ball is passed. I'm sticking with my initial assessment. Close.

It depends where the ball is. Look at the Maul penalty SA got in the RWC final, was the same kind of play.

Anyway, Alalatoa very unfortunate with that yellow card, if that was head contact then I am shocked.

Flying wedge: An illegal type of attack, which usually happens near the goal line, either from a penalty or free-kick or in open play. Team-mates are latched on each side of the ball-carrier in a wedge formation before engaging the opposition. Often one or more of these team-mates is in front of the ball-carrier.

Not saying they necessarily did this without seeing replay but trying to clarify my understanding of the laws

3) Flying wedge

To outlaw the three person pre-bound mini-scrum by redefining the flying wedge.

Why?

To reduce number of events where the ball carrier and multiple support players are in contact (latched) prior to contact, and to protect the tackler who can be faced with the combined force of three opposing players.

Law wordings

New definition of ‘latched’: Bound to a team-mate prior to contact

[Binding definition: Grasping another player’s body firmly between the shoulders and the hips with the whole arm in contact from hand to shoulder]

Amended definition of ‘flying wedge’:
An illegal type of attack, which usually happens near the goal line, either from a penalty or free-kick or in open play. Team-mates are latched on each side of the ball-carrier in a wedge formation before engaging the opposition. Often one or more of these team-mates is in front of the ball-carrier.

Ah just discussing it now in commentary - it is illegal if they've actually pre-latched

Yeah. Now being discussed. Though both Co commentators are fan boying rather than analysing.

Yeah the 3 Scots all agreeing that let's not really discuss it as its Scotland try!

Hoopers try was a double movement for me anyway.

Prop was silly to swing his arm. Yes the contact was minimal but it’s the act not the outcome that is penalised.

I still think Zander could be getting a citing for his fingers in hoopers face after the event. Silly silly thing to do and wouldn’t be surprised if he’s banned for a few weeks

I thought you had to stay on your feet and support your own weight at a ruck. The Oz 3 dived straight over the tackled player to smash Fagerson who was on the floor and not actively engaging in the ruck. Even for a prop that was dense.

Agree, but it should only be a penalty.

God it's loose

Both teams need to stop chucking the ball about so willy nilly. Both trying to force things too much

Sam Johnson is bloody tough!

Somehow, Thor came off worse in that collision!

Inexcusable to allow a mullet like that to score passed you

All from sloppy play from Scotland, but a very well taken try by the Wallabies. They 100% deserved that

Strong runs in that try

I’m sorry but we’re looking very very shapeless today.

despite a fine break by Johnson Scotland need to sort this out, Wallabies on cusp of taking control of this match

We’re poor bsando. Very poor.

Wrong decisions being made nearly every attack. Rudderless.

We’re still sadly lacking of a good number 8 to give us go forward ball

That should have been a try, poor play by Scotland

Jesus Hogg. What was that?

And we’ll played Nick white. Someone finally figured out that Duhan needs taken round the ankles

Hmmmm. Hogg is not having a good game.

Oz continuing to give away penalty after penalty and not a card to be seen

That looks like touch

Yes, a debut try for Ashman

Brilliant finish

Quick hands by Schoeman

Many a winger would be proud of that finish

Any winger would be pleased with that finish!

Schoeman having a great game, scrummed well, driven well, quick hands, try assist and some good tackles on backline players

Why do they keep trying to go around the Wallabies defence!?!

Dudes,
Just got in and saw the score!
Beat the convicts!!!!!!!.

Watson not on his feet, nothing to do with the tackler

Is it me or does Hamish not look 100% fit?

This game really is nip and tuck

Why do we always kick away turn over ball???

Aus got the push on earlier there, very good scrum!

Finnsanity

What the actual F was that Russell?

Wow

Well done Scotland.

Yes, never in doubt

Well we probably just about deserved that, but it was tight tight tight!