GET CARTER
Russell told to show that he can mix it up with best in the world
Glasgow star Russell told to prove he can mix it with New Zealand icon:
Finn Russell can become a scotland legend — but he has been told he must start by proving his worth against the best fly-half the world has ever seen this weekend.
Glasgow Warriors are back on the european trail come saturday, away to Racing 92 — the match that was postponed due to the Paris terrorist attacks in november last year.
And the scots have it all to do, facing a French side unbeaten at home all season and heading the Top 14 table.
The rearrangement also means that Russell has two head-to-heads against one of rugby’s true greats, Dan Carter.
But rather than sit in awe of his talents, former scotland centre scott Hastings believes the playmaker must look to take the game to the 33-year-old to show he is the man for the forthcoming six nations and beyond.
‘Russell undoubtedly could be one of the great no 10s of scottish rugby,’ said Hastings, who won 65 caps for his country.
‘He has to be patient. He has to read Carter, watch him and have a go at him. Have a go and stick to him like a bit of glue.
‘But also it is not just about Carter, Russell needs to manipulate what is in front of him — that comes from a good kicking game, good communication.
‘Russell has had a little bit of a mixed start to the season. He is a cocky, confident type of player who plays flat to the gainline.
‘ What i saw of him against edinburgh is a player who doesn’t quite manage his game as well as other controlling fly-halves.
‘What i mean by that is varying his tactics, varying his kicking, but when he is on fire he runs a very good backline.
‘He enhanced his credentials with a good World Cup. in the fly-half position, you are not going to manage the game right from the start of your career.
‘You need to build your reputation. if you look back at fly-halves like Gregor Townsend, Craig Chalmers and John Rutherford, it takes a number of years to get that experience of international rugby.’
There c an be no greater challenge for Russell, 10 years the junior of Carter, and Warriors head coach Townsend rested him for the pivotal 1872 Cup game that Glasgow lost last week against edinburgh.
And, for Hastings, Russell must now use his fresh legs to cement his scotland place, a month out from the Calcutta Cup fixture against england.
But what about Carter? The World Player of the Year has bedded in with his new team, dispatching northampton before Christmas on his debut.
And, in an age of game-plans sometimes resembling rugby by numbers, with creative skill quashed, it is the Kiwi’s vision and off-the- cuff ability that excites Hastings the most.
‘Carter’s skill level is excellent,’ he continued. ‘All great rugby players and all great sportsmen have tremendous skill.
‘He can kick off both feet, pass off both hands, his sidestepping ability is brilliant, too. He reads the game so well, proved by that wonderful offload against France in Cardiff at the World Cup.
‘He was mesmeric down there. Great players do that and he really has it all. You stand beside him and he is not the biggest fella in the world but he understands the game.
‘in our game you have footballers and rugby players — Dan Carter is a footballer. Footballers read the game, rugby players just play rugby.
‘Rugby is still a thinking man’s game — the guys with the vision are the ones that will maybe go off-piste and look to attack in areas, pull players out and really guide and manage a game.
‘That’s what the game needs, it does not need robotic rugby players sticking their hands up, putting their defensive systems in place. if it is on, it’s on and i think Carter is one of those who reads it really well and he is prepared to attack from anywhere on the field.’
Another creative player who must start to rediscover his rhythm is stuart Hogg.
The full-back has not been at his best since the World Cup but Hastings believes Champions Cup rugby will give him a boost.
‘Hogg has to go and get involved — as we have seen in the World Cup he can hit some glorious angles and can counter-attack from anywhere,’ he said. ‘Maybe the step up into europe is the kick up the backside he needs.
‘There is nobody else challenging him for the scotland 15 shirt, he is a shoo-in. What he has to do is become one of scotland’s greatest ever full-backs.
‘He needs to get away from the little petulance that is in his game and start concentrating on what he’s good at.’
Glasgow have only won 25 per cent of their games against French opposition, and only 14 per cent away from home in europe — but Hastings predicts they will take a tight win, if they fight for it.
‘Their whole season hinges on saturday,’ he said. ‘They have to play above themselves. When teams do that, you get results and you get momentum into a season and you get on a roll.
‘it is all about producing a real spirited, warrior performance. Any trip over to France is massively tougher. if you pull a French win out of the bag you are doing really well. it is possible.
‘Glasgow are hurting big time because they have not been able to dominate games, but this one is a big one.’