HARD HITTING VIEW
It was a very one-sided affair at Murrayfield yesterday but one that the first crowd at the ground since the pandemic thoroughly enjoyed.
Tonga, with only four days to prepare and a host of first-choice players either unavailable or injured, were totally outclassed by a Scotland team bursting with energy and innovation.
It was a huge disadvantage for the visitors which was apparent from the outset – their defence was porous and disorganised, so there was only going to be one result.
It was a fairly typical early-season international, with plenty of ‘workons’ for the coming week. Given the selection that Gregor Townsend made, with Blair Kinghorn and Darcey Graham both playing out of position, it wasn’t surprising that Scotland weren’t the well-polished, slick machine that fans would have hoped for, but they played with creativity and flair and were just too much for their Tier 2 opposition.
Scotland’s new caps acquitted themselves well and it is clear that some of them will enjoy many more days in the dark blue jersey. Scotland were simply more accurate, more disciplined and more polished than their opponents, who to their credit, never gave up the fight. The difference in class was obvious however, and that was the key – Scotland always had
‘ Scotland’s new caps acquitted themselves well
another gear and were never really going to be threatened by the feisty visitors.
Scotland scored some good tries from set-pieces and also looked threatening in broken play. They will benefit from the return of Finn Russell and Stuart Hogg next weekend but, equally, there won’t be the same spaces in the defences over the next two weekends. What is reassuring is the obvious strength in depth in certain positions and competition for places is likely to heat up this week.
Australia will be a different proposition next weekend and will be a much better benchmark of both Scotland’s depth and progression. There is no reason why Gregor Townsend’s team can’t build on this demolition job and lay down a marker with another victory – it certainly shouldn’t be beyond them given yesterday’s showing.
Finally, Scotland lost one of its rugby icons this week. Sandy Carmichael, the first man to win 50 caps for Scotland, passed away. 50 caps in Carmichael’s time would be worth well over 100 in the modern game.
Carmichael was a double British and Irish Lion, touring New Zealand in 1971 and South Africa in 1974 – both victorious tours – but the Scot never won a test cap. He was deprived of that in ’71 because of a brutal attack which left him with multiple fractures of his cheekbone. A hard man, he never retaliated and paid the price, having to leave the tour. He was a hero of mine in my youth and he will be a great loss to the Scottish game.