Scotland - The Generic Moaning Thread 2024

[George Carlin]

First topic message reminder :

Scotland v Tonga
Sunday, September 24
Stade de Nice - 4.45pm kick-off.

Scotland v Romania
Saturday, September 30
Stade Pierre-Mauroy, Lille - 8pm kick-off

Scotland v Paddy Cousins
Saturday, October 7
Stade de France - 8pm kick-off

***

The 20 teams are divided into four groups as follows:

Pool A – New Zealand, France, Italy, Uruguay, Namibia

Pool B – South Africa, Ireland, Scotland, Tonga, Romania

Pool C – Wales, Australia, Fiji, Georgia, Portugal

Pool D – England, Japan, Argentina, Samoa, Chile

The top two teams from each pool advance to the quarter-finals. The teams who finish third secure automatic qualification for the 2027 World Cup, which is scheduled to take place in Australia in 2027.

The quarter-final draw is as follows:

QF1 – Pool C winner v Pool D runner-up

QF 2 – Pool B winner v Pool A runner-up

QF 3 – Pool D winner v Pool C runner-up

QF 4 – Pool A winner v Pool B runner-up

That means if Scotland manage to progress from the group stages they would be likely to face New Zealand or France in the quarter-finals if results go as expected.

The semi-final draw is as follows:

Winner of QF 1 v Winner of QF2

Winner of QF 3 v Winner of QF 4

The 2023 Rugby World Cup final takes place on Saturday, October 28, at the Stade de France, kick-off 8pm.

[BigGee]

Teams out:

1. Sutherland
2. Turner
3. Fagerson Z
4. Gray
5. Cummings
6. Ritchie
7. Darge
8. Dempsey
9. White
10. Russell
11. DVDM
12. Tuipolotu
13. Harris
14. Steyn
15. Kinghorn

Subs

Schoeman
Ashman
Nel
Skinner
Fagerson M
Horne
Jones
Graham


Can't complain to much about that.

[jimbopip]

So, replacements?

If everything is going well then Dancer comes off as soon as we're a couple of scores ahead. Blarehorn to 10 and Shug to 15. This means keeping Chris Harris at 13 for the full 80 and if has not recovered from his lifelong aversion to passing to anyone with a double digit number on their back then try scoring chances may be few and far between.
Or Toonie goes Full Monty and it's 9: Hornito, 10: Blarehorn, 13: Shug 15. ADHD
If it works that would be well worth a watch. If, on the other hand, the Tongans overwhelm our loose forwards it could be Flodden all over again.

I may be watching this from behind the sofa while clutching a large single malt. Then again if Ireland have humped the Boks it won't matter at all.

[tigertattie]

I’m a great believer in you shouldn’t wish injuries on opposition players, even Sexton and Dan Bigger.

So, let’s hope Sexton gets red carded for mouthing at the ref vs SA. If some of Doris, VDF, beirne and furlong can also get red cards, that would be nice

[jimbopip]

From the Grauniad today, in response to Dupont's sore face,

The 26-year-old Dupont looks set to at least miss France’s last Pool A game against Italy on 6 October and he is a big doubt for a potential quarter-final clash against the world’s No 1 team, Ireland, or defending champions South Africa.



I didn't realise it was done and dusted yet.

[tigertattie]

From the Grauniad today, in response to Dupont's sore face,

The 26-year-old Dupont looks set to at least miss France’s last Pool A game against Italy on 6 October and he is a big doubt for a potential quarter-final clash against the world’s No 1 team, Ireland, or defending champions South Africa.



I didn't realise it was done and dusted yet.

As keegan would say, I’d love it if we beat them. Love it.

Need to get passed Ireland first though obviously

[George Carlin]

Very nice interview with the big chap.

[George Carlin]

And also:

[jimbopip]

Well, Ireland struggles at the lineout make Scotlands efforts look not too bad.
Best 40 minutes of the tournament so far.

[George Carlin]

High quality game and our paddy cousins are good for their lead.

The question for Ireland is whether they can stay tight when the bodies start getting tired.

[tigertattie]

Well there goes our shot at getting out the group.

Useless SA not doing thier jobs tonight.

[Heuer27]

Well that’s that then.

[Heuer27]

I think SA will come to rue the decision too bring one recognised hooker and no kicker of any pedigree.

[NeilyBroon]

Its okay lads, only need to put 200 points on the next two teams. Easy.

[NeilyBroon]

Oh and beat globogym

[BigGee]

Well if was always the likely outcome

These two sides just look incredibly strong.

It's a shame we are not going to be able to have a decent crack at Ireland with something at stake

[Heuer27]

You just know Scotland are going to go all Scotland by beating Ireland and still going out of the tournament.

I was surprised that there didn’t seem to be any contentious incidents in the game considering the intensity it was played at.

[George Carlin]

Both teams looked very strong and it came down to Bokke inability to hold onto its ruck ball and their inability to kick their own arse as far as goalkicking was concerned.

To be fair to us, there's an argument that was the two best teams in the world we saw tonight.

[Duty281]

Scotland would still get through with TBP wins over Tonga and Romania, plus a non-TBP or TBP win over Ireland that was by eight points or more, and with SA getting a TBP win over Tonga.

That would leave SA on 15, Scotland on 14/15, and Ireland on 14. If Scotland and Ireland tied on 14, Scotland would go through due to winning the H2H.

There are other scenarios, but that's the most plausible for Scotland getting through.

[BigGee]

Both teams looked very strong and it came down to Bokke inability to hold onto its ruck ball and their inability to kick their own arse as far as goalkicking was concerned.

To be fair to us, there's an argument that was the two best teams in the world we saw tonight.

Two out of the best three more likely (and Scotland arr not that third country unfortunately)

[Heaf]

Maybe unlikely, but if Scotland beat Ireland with 4-0 or 5-1 match points doesn't that mean they'd go through with 5 points v Tonga & Romania?

[BigGee]

Scotland would still get through with five point wins over Tonga and Romania, plus a four point or five point win over Ireland that was by eight points or more, and with SA getting a five point win over Tonga.

That would leave SA on 15, Scotland on 14/15, and Ireland on 14. If Scotland and Ireland tied on 14, Scotland would go through due to winning the H2H.

There are other scenarios, but that's the most plausible for Scotland getting through.

No, mathematically we are not out, which means we should not roll over.

We just need to play each game as it comes and if we get our BPs, Ireland will at least have to put out a full strength team out against us.

We have nothing to lose so don't die wondering

[tigertattie]

Toonie just needs to show the team BoD’s post match punditry where he’s already saying Ireland will beat New Zealand due to Ireland beating them in years gone by.

Would at least get some fire in our bellies and go down swinging at least

Still say we’ll hump Ireland having failed to get a TBP over Tonga. It’s the Scottish way.

[bsando]

It’s weird because our World Cup begins properly now. We get two weeks of lower ranked sides to go full metal jacket on while Ireland will train on their own before facing us.

It’s a shame the players didn’t do enough against SA but this is an exciting run in towards the crunch Ireland game. Scotland should be in a good place for it despite Ireland being massive favourites.

[jimbopip]

Well, we knew beforehand that every team in every group needs three wins to qualify. N.B. I really don't care if some accountancy nerd can prove, statistically, that it is possible to qualify with two wins and six BP's. I really, really don't care.

So, we're no worse off than we were previously. Ireland have 14 points: three wins and we'll be on 12 points OR 14 OR 15.

Nothing has changed.

We need to start by thumping Tonga tonight. Then put Romania to the sword. Then beat Ireland. Oh, and Tonga could shoite all over the braai in some way or other it would help.

So, it's simple; win three games on the trot and keeps repeating Scotland's sporting mantra, "Close, but no cigar."

[Heuer27]

Well the World Cup starts today for Scotland.
We knew that in all likelihood we would be zero and one before today and that on recent form Ireland would most likely squeeze out the Boks.
Soooooo…Toonie better have the squad prepared and up to speed to do the needful over the next three games.
We should be able to wring out two bonus point wins in the next two games. If not we have no business calling ourselves a tier 1 nation.
Again on most recent form from 6N there hasn’t really been that much between us and the Irish.
The golden generation better have their shooting boots on for that game because it will be without doubt the biggest of their lives not necessarily the same for the Irish. That was yesterday for them. So far.

Not going to lie I was fairly despondent last night after the game but I have slept on it and now went all Scottish and think we are still capable of going through.
It’s the hope etc and clearly it’s shizzle being Scottish.

[BigGee]

Tonga look and sound up for this!

[Duty281]

Tonga have been pretty abysmal over the last four years, so I'm interested to see if they can put something decent in this afternoon.

[Heuer27]

A greeting Pacific Islander at the anthems usually means someone is getting their head taken off in an act of brutality.

[Duty281]

Inside two minutes for the first Karl Dickson error. How on earth did he think that was grounded?

[BigGee]

Now that's what I call a maul!

[lostinwales]

Fine tackle from VDM there...

[TheMildlyFranticLlama]

That was insanely dense by Darge, dare I say it he’s not really living up to the hype just now

[BigGee]

Killer offload from Piatau!

[NeilyBroon]

Where is our execution? Just so many unforced errors at the moment.

[BigGee]

Our set piece does seem to be working this week

2 early tries is just what we needed

[BigGee]

The Steyn of destiny!

[BigGee]

Card coming here!

[Duty281]

That's a red.

[BigGee]

That's a red.

All day long!

[lostinwales]

That's a red.

yep

Sad because it's been fun, but that wasn't

[Heuer27]

Scotland not looking after the ball at all. Lost count of the turnovers already

[BigGee]

And the BP before half time

Better than we dared hope!

[TheMildlyFranticLlama]

That was insanely dense by Darge, dare I say it he’s not really living up to the hype just now

Heard me and upped his game, you’re welcome fellas.

Weird game, we’ve really not been great but try BP by half time is a decent return. Need to pick it up after the break though

[BigGee]

Nothing on the card yet either, though surely it must be red!

[Duty281]

Job done by HT. That'll do for Scotland.

[jimbopip]

It has been a strange one so far. We are totally in control but at one point we're 7 up with them going through the phases in our Red Zone. Thankfully our defence turned them over. Their pack is 10kg pè man heavier but I full expect them to tire as the half progresses.
We need a couple of early tries so Finn can come off ASAP.

[BigGee]

Job done by HT. That'll do for Scotland.

Hang on, this is Scotland, we don't do things the easy way remember!

[Heuer27]

There should be more space in the second half. That will be a red for the winger and the big Tongan forwards will slow down

[Heuer27]

More worryingly Jamie Ritchie looked sparkled. He would probably miss next week anyway but defo now

[BigGee]

Stays YC, terrible call

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