Selfless Hogg ‘could have scored even more tries’
Scotland 29-20 Japan
Gregor Townsend has claimed that Stuart Hogg could have scored even more tries had the full-back not been so keen to make chances for team-mates since becoming Scotland captain.
The head coach was speaking shortly after Hogg’s try in his side’s win over Japan on Saturday took him to 25, making him the top tryscorer in Scotland’s history.
“The biggest development in Stuart’s game is how much he plays for others,” Townsend said. “The biggest change in the last two years is he puts something on the ball so others can do better. He could carry the ball himself or kick the ball himself and not pass, and he’d still have a great game, but he tries to bounce out to a second defender to give team-mates an opportunity.”
Hogg, who has overtaken Scott Murray to become Scotland’s fourth-most capped player after Ross Ford (110), Chris Paterson (109)
and Sean Lamont (105), has been in prolific form this year. As well as his try against Japan, he scored a brace against South Africa and two against Wales in the Six Nations to bring his tally to five in eight Tests for Scotland in 2021. His Indian summer at the age of 29 was partly because he has enjoyed the challenge of leadership so much.
“The longer he’s been in the role, the more he’s been able to enjoy it,” Townsend said. “He was really looking forward to getting the opportunity to captain the team. He’s a proud Scot that loves his Scottish rugby history, so he knew what an honour this [breaking the try-scoring record] would be.”
Townsend also paid tribute to the impact of the Borders town of Hawick. Hogg broke the record jointly held by Ian Smith, who scored 24 tries in 32 tests between 1924-33, and Hogg’s fellow Hawick man Tony Stanger, who also scored 24 tries but in 52 tests. “For a small place, Hawick has provided so many Scotland players,” Townsend said. “It was great for Hawick that Darcy Graham scored, too.”