| Location: Estadio Padre Ernesto Martearena, Salta Date: Saturday, 9 July Kick-off: 20:10 BST |
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Gregor Townsend announced his summer Tests squad. There was some surprise at their experience for a South American tour. This was seen as a prime opportunity for new blood.
Townsend left the three-man key trio of Stuart Hogg (Finn Russell) and Chris Harris at home. However, the group was as strong in all other circumstances.
Perhaps the Six Nations campaign was so disappointing that the head coach decided it was important for this team to start building momentum in preparation for the autumn internationals, which will be extremely challenging.
It hasn’t been like that so far. The ‘A’ side defeated Chile in Santiago. The full side then ran into an incredibly motivated Argentina, who put them to the sword at Jujuy. The performance of Scotland was more question than answer, as has been the case for most of 2022.
Townsend is now more than a year away from the 2023 Rugby World Cup, with the series at stake in Saturday’s second Test.
Loss of identity
The 2019 World Cup saw Scotland’s efforts to play “the most exciting brand of rugby in the globe” be brutally thwarted. This led to the team discovering a harder edge and a better defense.
But what’s Scotland all about now? What is the strategy? It is difficult to discern a clear game plan right now.
In spite of all the criticisms of Townsend’s all-court game, it is important to remember that it produced the best attacking rugby in Scotland’s recent history.
Townsend’s and his coaches have struggled to combine their creativity and ingenuity in attack with some of post-2019’s defensive steel. This season has seen the team regress in both defense and attack.
Townsend stated that it was the Pumas’ first defeat in Test cricket. “If this happens at the weekend we have to ensure that we play better when the ball is in play by either team.
“It’s a semi-final cup and we have to show our best. Last weekend, we didn’t achieve that. We were disappointed with our performance, and we were frustrated by the mistakes that we made. The game was stopped-start.
“We are aware that this tour is about many things. Seeing a group of players get together for four weeks, and how that environment works. This will give players opportunities. It’s not about winning a Test series.
The fly-half dilemma
Scotland has an issue at 10. Finn Russell was very poor in the Six Nations. His participation in the “Boozegate” episode near the end of Championship saw him lose against Ireland. It also prompted more questions about his relationship with Townsend. Townsend had a very public spat in 2020.
Adam Hastings was thrown aside for reasons that are difficult to understand, and brought back by the doctor. He was then declared ineligible due to injury.
Ross Thompson is clearly too young to be able to play in a Test match. This leaves Blair Kinghorn.
The Edinburgh man is so talented that it’s clear that he belongs on the international stage. There are still questions about whether he can be the main playmaker or bring the necessary level of game-management into the Test arena.
Kinghorn had a great season, but his performances in Test matches in Dublin (though there were some moments of his best) still leave him with questions.
Townsend stated that Blair is a huge believer in his abilities as an individual and how he can lead the team.
“Blair has been very consistent this year for Edinburgh. He would have liked to play better but it’s part of the learning process and growing experience we all have as players, particularly those who are required to make a lot more decisions.
Is there a next generation of talent?
The current state of the Scottish under-20s team is a matter of serious concern. The midweek beating at Georgia is reason enough to reflect, but the fact that it is the 13th consecutive defeat for the side should alarm the corridors of Murrayfield.
Townsend stated, “We clearly feel for them.”
“We’ve not done so well at that level, it’s obvious. But there have been some very fine individuals and some very impressive performances. This group has learned why it hasn’t worked this year, and what they need to improve upon.
“We have to take a deeper look at what we can do at the academy level and at age-grade level to support our athletes, challenge them, and give them more competition. This is probably the most important lesson from all this.
Salta Showdown
Townsend can recall Hamish to the back-row on Saturday, which is good news. Townsend wants to celebrate his 50th cap as a British and Irish Lion, and he’s doing so in the right way.
Watson stated that “To be 50 is quite an exclusive group, and an amazing accomplishment for me and my friends.”
It’s about marking it correctly and making sure that we win. This is what we do best.
If they do, it will only strengthen the feeling that this team is lost.