The Press and Journal (Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire)
Cotter’s pride as rampant Scotland put down marker
Reaction: New Zealander thrilled as players refuse to accept defeat
– Another hugely influential display from the full back. Produced a moment of inspiration to set up Tim Visser for the crucial second try. 8/10
– Sublime finish as he got the ball down despite Scott Williams’ best efforts at stopping him to fire Scotland ahead. Dealt impressively with the high ball. 8
– Came close to scoring before the break but one of his quietest displays in a Dark Blue jersey so far. 6
– Stood up to the brutal Welsh surges as he defended with gritted teeth. Carried well too. 7
– The Harlequins wing has often been regarded as the weak link, but he more than deserved his place this time as he set up Seymour to score, halted Rhys Webb from scoring a certain try before finishing off his own touchdown. 9
– With Greig Laidlaw missing, the kicking duties fell to the Glasgow player but his flawless haul of 19 points was crucial to Scotland’s win, with his decision-making spot on. 9
– Laidlaw’s scrum half understudy did brilliantly to stop Webb and Jonathan Davies scoring, but did not give his backs enough of the quick ball they thrive on. 7
– Took a knock in the warm-up but battled on, providing the Scots with bite at the breakdown. Lucky, though, that Webb did not score after falling for his dummy. 7
– The Glasgow man has now firmly established himself as Scotland’s first-choice hooker. Powerful in the loose and steady at the scrum. 7
–Hada shaky spell in the set-piece as Wales threatened to overrun the hosts in the first half but stood up when it counted after the interval. 7
– His experience and wisdom came in useful as the Scots’ turned the tide with a nerveless second-half display. 8
– Marshalled the line-out with aplomb as the Dark Blues’ set-piece held firm against the aggressive Dragons. 8
– A true captain’s display from the stand-in as he put a tireless shift comprising 11 carries and 10 tackles. 8
– The Edinburgh man lasted less than half an hour before a knee injury forced him off, with Hamish Watson taking his slot. 6
– Made more than 40yds from 17 carries. Relished taking on Rob Howley’s rugged rearguard. 7
– Watson and Allan Dell gave the Dark Blues a little more threat with ball in hand while Henry Pyrgos’ introduction gave Scotland the steady hand they required as they closed out the win. 7 Scotland coach Vern Cotter hailed his team’s secondhalf rally against Wales as his ever-improving team kept hopes of a first Triple Crown in 27 years alive.
The Dark Blues found themselves under the cosh during a brutal first-half at Murrayfield.
Rob Howley’s side only managed a Liam Williams’ touchdown and eight points from Leigh Halfpenny’s boot as they went in at the break 13-9 ahead.
It was a different story after the break though, with wings Tommy Seymour and Tim Visser crossing over as the rampant Scots racked up 20 unanswered points.
The Scots will now head to Twickenham hoping to ring up a clean sweep of victories against the home nations and Cotter could barely contain his pride.
“I’m really happy for a number of reasons,” he said. “We set out to win the game but at half time we weren’t particularly well placed to do that.
“The players adjusted well after the break and we scored a couple of nice tries and transferred pressure Saturday was a great day for Scottish rugby, and in particular head coach Vern Cotter who stands two wins away from a possible six nations triumph before he exits in June.
The Scotland coach looks certain to end his time in office with a 100% record at home this season after getting the better of his Wales counterpart Rob Howley.
Cotter's organisational skills were never more evident in a second half when back on to Wales. Some of the little things we needed to tidy up and bring in some intensity we did really well.
“We realised we were watching them play rather than playing ourselves.
“The players started talking the game to the Welsh and the result is that for the first time in a while we can sit here and talk about beating Wales.
“Hats off to the players for a great performance.”
Scotland’s victory is all the more meaningful as it ends a decade of hurt against the Welsh and was achieved without captain Greig Laidlaw, whose championship has been ended early by injury.
Flanker John Barclay assumed the armband but he was ably assisted by the likes of Finn Russell – whose contribution of 19 points with his boot helped the Scots to the biggest win against the Welsh since 1993 – Jonny Gray and Stuart Scotland's new-found selfbelief paid rich dividends, leading to what was a relatively easy win, made possible by leadership from stand-in captain John Barclay. The Scotland flanker was outstanding, inspiring his fellow back rowers Ryan Watson and John Hardie to reach the heights until the latter went off injured.
While stand off Finn Russell played his best game for Scotland, kicking and weaving his way through the Wales defence Hogg as the Scots stood up to a man to make up for the loss of their leader.
“We’re on a roll,” said the Kiwi before adding with a grin: “That’s a joke obviously. We know how hard Twickenham is.
“John did a great job steadying the ship while the young players put a lot of energy and enthusiasm to the game.
“This means we are still in the competition and we can now get back to work on Monday and prepare for England.”
The defeat now leaves Wales’ championship ambitions in tatters and head coach Rob Howley admitted: “We are hugely disappointed.
“Our second-half performance simply wasn’t good enough.
“Scotland squeezed us. We lacked quality possession and when we got it,
“Scotland were hugely effective in the contact area.
“We failed to take a couple of chances, and they proved far more clinical near our line, although we conceded soft tries by letting them get outside us.
“We got turned over too easily and lost the aerial contest as well, so there is a lot for us to dissect in the days ahead.”
“Can now get back to work on Monday and prepare for England” “x x x x”
to win the game with a series of successful kicks, the game was won up front.
A Scotland pack that was outclassed two weeks ago in Paris rose to the occasion to nullify the Welsh, setting themselves up for a crack at the Triple Crown away to England. Who knows? Maybe, just maybe a six nations title on March 18.
Scotland always looked dangerous with ball in hand, thanks to the wiles of Cotter who will already be planning the downfall of England.