Hastings the history man wants Scots consistency

Adam Hastings’ brief World Cup debut against Samoa on Monday made history as he followed in father Gavin’s footsteps by playing in a Rugby World Cup.

Now he expects a little more game time, with Scotland’s daunting doubleheader up next.

Hastings, 23 today, has been the largely unused back-up to Finn Russell so far and it is a role he expected all along.

“Finn is such a quality player, he’s running the ship week-in, week-out,” he said. “It’s been good rubbing shoulders with him like we did for a season at Glasgow and he’s matured a lot during his time in France.

“You definitely do have to get yourself prepped mentally for the situation I’m in. I enjoyed a lot of minutes with Glasgow last season, playing week-in, week-out most of the season.

“I did have it in the back of my head I wasn’t going to be playing much out here.

“If I do get an opportunity against Russia then I know I definitely need to try to make my mark.

“There’s a lot being spoken about Japan – it is a massive game – but the fact of the matter is that if we don’t turn up against Russia then Japan won’t matter. If I am playing I’ll be very up for it. I’m itching to go as I’m sure a few other boys will be.”

It is vital against Russia that the Scots do not push the need for the bonus point and forget about actually winning the game.

“As you saw with the Ireland game when they scored two early tries but perhaps lost a bit of patience and then struggled to get that bonus point till near the end,” Hastings pointed out.

“Ireland definitely had enough quality to do so and hopefully we will as well, if we play our usual game and things stick.”

Hastings was blooded during the summer tour last year, suffering the surprise loss to the USA before starring in a rout of Argentina when he and clubmate George Horne ripped the Pumas apart.

“For me that came down to preparation,” he said. “Before that America game I thought I was well prepared but perhaps wasn’t.

“Then looking back at the Argentina week, I was a lot more focused, a lot more prepared. I think the team was as well.

“The half-backs were running things and I was a lot more comfortable in there.”

The inconsistency is something the Scots have to work on, but it comes to all teams, he thinks. “Sometimes it is tough to put your finger on why these results happen. We can be brilliant at times – at other times you’re thinking ‘What are we doing?’

“The best teams are consistent. It is just within us. We’ve spoken about the fact we can focus on other teams but at the end of the day it comes down to us and what we’re doing.”

Adam’s parents are coming out for the Russia game and he was told by his dad of their unique place in Rugby World Cup history.

“Dad told me that the other day, so pretty cool,” he continued. “He said ‘well done’ – so I said ‘well done’ as well.

“It is a nice moment obviously, because it is been a lifelong dream. I’ve wanted to play at a World Cup since I was a little boy.

“It is like all stages of your career, when you first get your professional debut, you just want to do it again straight away.

“You get used to that and then you get your Scotland debut.

“Then you play Six Nations and now I’ve played in a World Cup game and I want to play more because it is the biggest stage. It is high pressure, it is the pinnacle of international sport.”

Twitter: @C_sscott