Scotland can be bloody brilliant at times. But then you are left thinking: What the hell are we doing?
RUGBY WORLD CUP
THE KING OF THE MAJESTIC SIDESTEP — JIM RENWICK INTERVIEW, PAGES 112-113
ADAM HASTINGS has had to bide his time. He knows that’s just how it goes when you are effectively playing understudy to a maverick talent like Finn Russell.
A two-minute cameo appearance against Samoa came and went. Hastings’ big chance to really shine in the World Cup spotlight is now likely to come against Russia on Wednesday as Scotland chase another crucial victory.
With head coach Gregor Townsend set to keep his top performers back for the potentially-decisive Pool A showdown with Japan just four days later, the Glasgow Warriors stand-off is keen to make the most of his starting role.
While acknowledging that Russia should be overcome like Samoa were last Monday, Hastings is aware that the pressure remains on Scotland’s fringe men to get another bonus-point win — a stark consequence of the team’s abject failure to turn up against Ireland in the first game combined with Japan’s shock victory over Joe Schmidt’s men.
And, like everyone else, he remains bewildered at the lack of consistency which has placed a question mark over the Scots’ progress to the quarter-finals.
‘Sometimes it’s tough to put your finger on why these results happen,’ said Hastings of the 27-3 hammering by the Irish.
‘We can be bloody brilliant at times but, at other times, you’re thinking: “What the hell are we doing”?
‘That happens with a lot of teams. You’re not always going to be so consistent. The best teams, though, are consistent.
‘We’ve spoken about the fact we can focus on the opposition but, at the end of the day, it comes down to us and what we’re doing.’
In Hastings’ case, that means stepping out of the shadows of Racing 92 superstar Russell in Shizuoka next week.
‘Obviously, it’s kind of tough. Finn is such a quality player. He’s running the ship week in, week out,’ said Hastings, who turns 23 today.
‘I’m in a good position to learn from him, as I was at Glasgow when he was there. He has matured a lot during his time in France, so it has been good rubbing shoulders with him again.
‘Hopefully, I’ll get a bit of game time soon.’
It can’t be easy taking over from a player like Russell. Comparisons are invariably made. Sometimes unfavourably.
‘You definitely do have to get yourself prepped mentally for the situation I’m in,’ added Hastings. ‘I enjoyed a lot of minutes with Glasgow last season, playing week in, week out. But I suppose I knew I wasn’t going to be playing much out here.
‘I was on the bench last week but I would have liked a bit more game time. We were pushing for that fourth try, so I understand you need boys like Finn on the park.
‘If I do get an opportunity against Russia, then I know I definitely need to try to make my mark.
‘There has been a lot spoken about our last game against Japan but if we don’t turn up against Russia, Japan won’t matter.
‘If I am playing, I’ll be very up for it. I’m itching to go.’
Hastings also knows a thing or two about dealing with the weight of expectation given his family history.
When he replaced Russell in the 34-0 win over Samoa in Kobe, he followed in the footsteps of his dad Gavin — who starred at three World Cups for Scotland — to ensure they became the first father and son to both appear in the tournament. Adam said: Dad told me about that the other day, so that’s cool. He told me: “Well done” and I said the same. It’s a nice moment because it’s been a lifelong dream. I’ve wanted to play at a World Cup since I was a little boy.
‘I remember I went to the 2007 World Cup in Paris and we were at the third-place play-off between France and Argentina and I said: “I want to play in a World Cup”. So we’re here and I did that the other night.
‘It’s like all stages of your career. When you make your professional debut, you just want to do it again straight away.
‘I’ve played in a World Cup game and I want to play more because it’s the biggest stage. Hopefully, I’ll get back out there.’
Henry Pyrgos is also looking to seize his chance after two years in the international wilderness. The Edinburgh scrum-half was laid up in bed with flu when Townsend called to say Ali Price was out of the World Cup through injury and wanted him to step in. It was the perfect pick-me-up for 30-year-old Pyrgos (left), who was well enough to travel to Japan two days after being summoned. Now, after more than a week with the squad, he could play a major role against Russia. ‘I wasn’t training with Edinburgh as I was in bed with flu when I got Gregor’s call,’ he revealed. ‘I had no idea Ali was definitely out as he finished the game against Ireland and I didn’t know there was a problem. ‘When I got the call from Gregor, I felt a lot better. It’s great getting the chance to get back with the squad and represent Scotland at the World Cup.
‘I felt sorry for Ali. It was his first World Cup and tough for him, but a good opportunity for me.
‘It took me a wee while to get over the jet lag but I’ve been to Japan before with Scotland and earlier with the Under-20s.
‘I went straight to the training ground on Thursday and the boys had a day off on the Friday, which gave me a chance to settle in. I trained on Saturday past and it has been good ever since.’
Pyrgos had never given up on representing Scotland again but admitted his chances looked slim after missing the cut for Townsend’s World Cup squad.
With first-choice Greig Laidlaw rested for Wednesday’s game, he is battling it out with George Horne for the starting jersey.
‘I hadn’t played for Scotland since Australia a couple of years ago and it’s a massive honour every time you get involved,’ said Pyrgos.
‘Now I’ll continue to train hard and work for selection. If that comes, brilliant.’