Murray, Denton in for Scots
14 Nov 2012
Scotland have made two changes from their starting side that lost to New Zealand and a further four alterations to their bench for Saturday’s against South Africa at Murrayfield.
Euan Murray comes back in at tighthead prop for Geoff Cross after missing Sunday’s Test for religious reasons. Meanwhile, David Denton, who replaced Ross Rennie against New Zealand, retains his berth in the backrow.
On the bench Dougie Hall is preferred to Scott Lawson, while Cross fills the void left by Allan Jacobsen, who is unavailable for personal reasons. Veteran John Barclay returns to the squad and 26-year-old Peter Murchie could debut off the wood.
Scotland head coach Andy Robinson said: ‘We know we’re in for a bruising battle against South Africa this weekend and we will be primed for that physical confrontation.
‘But we also have to be smart in how we approach this game and do our utmost to ensure we get on the front foot and get the result that will move us into the top eight in the IRB world rankings ahead of next month’s 2015 Rugby World Cup draw.
‘I was pleased with Euan’s contribution both at scrummage and in open play during the summer tour, while David Denton’s aggressive carrying is something that really gets the crowd going.
‘Dougie Hall has had a good season for Glasgow and I know that John Barclay has been one of our most consistent and reliable back-row forwards since he made his debut five years ago.
‘Peter Murchie is another who has had a fine start to the season with Glasgow and his desire to dominate in aerial combat has been a factor in selection.’
Scotland - 15 Stuart Hogg, 14 Sean Lamont, 13 Nick De Luca, 12 Matt Scott (Edinburgh Rugby), 11 Tim Visser, 10 Greig Laidlaw, 9 Mike Blair, 8 David Denton. 7 Kelly Brown (c), 6 Alasdair Strokosch, 5 Jim Hamilton, 4 Richie Gray, 3 Euan Murray, 2 Ross Ford, 1 Ryan Grant.
Subs – 16 Dougie Hall, 17 Kyle Traynor, 18 Geoff Cross, 19 Alastair Kellock, 20 John Barclay, 21 Henry Pyrgos, 22 Ruaridh Jackson, 23 Peter Murchie
10 Comments
14 Nov 2012, 16:49 pm
This team is probably on the same level as a Griquas team.
14 Nov 2012, 17:28 pm
@Horings-1: More likely at the same level as the Bulls you mean?
14 Nov 2012, 18:47 pm
These Scots are a better team than the one that beat us last time in 2010 with Victor in charge .. so Boks better not think this is going to be a cake walk
This loose trio of Denton, Brown and Strokosch is a mean bunch of ball players, and their front row can look after itself as well as their back 3 and scrum half are pretty handy
14 Nov 2012, 19:05 pm
@skopdiekan-3:
> These Scots are a better team than the one that beat us last time in 2010 with Victor in charge .. so Boks better not think this is going to be a cake walk
The 2010 Boks were ****, and I think they kicked poorly on the night
If we lose against the Scots we can close up shop
But we won’t after all we’ve got JdJ
Is it a bird ?
Is it a plane?
No, it’s Super de Jong, that is, if you were to believe the Keo Youth league
14 Nov 2012, 19:06 pm
Meyer’s reluctance to play De Jongh, and now his ‘compromise’ to play him against a ‘weaker’ opposition against his ‘better’ judgment is not the way to send a player into battle
De Jongh should have played last week, not start this week with a do or die sword of Damocles over his head where he has to prove himself in the first 40 minutes otherwise he is going to get yanked off and then coach and his back beat boys gonna say they were right not to trust him…
This coach lack of faith is actually appalling.. he will trust some like Morne Steyn to stuff it up a thousand times again and again and again.., and then again., and still not trust Jantjies.., and same with De Jongh.. give him a bit part cameo against a so called weaker opposition meanwhile lining up his favorites to start against England..
I don’t like this dude’s style he got his set preconditioned prejudiced thinking all worked out and those that are on the fringes of his preferences only get a call up if they are 200% better than his larny little darlings.
14 Nov 2012, 19:21 pm
@skopdiekan-5:
> Meyer’s reluctance to play De Jongh, and now his ‘compromise’ to play him against a ‘weaker’ opposition against his ‘better’ judgment is not the way to send a player into battle
Au contraire, he received the ideal opportunity to showcase the myriad of talents he posesses according to the Keo WP faction
Are you already starting to make excuses?
Has your hero got feet of clay?
So the coach is wrong in not picking him, but he’s also not right if he does?
14 Nov 2012, 19:39 pm
@skopdiekan-5:
> De Jongh should have played last week, not start this week
The Scots (IRB rank 9) are weaker than the Irish (ranked 8)
The All Blacks scored six tries against the Jocks with a new centre pairing
The established JdV JdJ Stormers pairing surely should have no trouble getting through the Scots?
14 Nov 2012, 21:50 pm
@victoriabok-6: @victoriabok-7:
De Jongh should have played last week and then gone on to cement his position this week.. not get a little patsy handout by this bloody frivolous chicken licken clown of yours who plays rookie full backs at 13 instead of playing the best center in the country because his skin happens to be brown and his size is less than 6 foot tall.
15 Nov 2012, 08:27 am
@Horings-1: Don’t really agree. Richie Gray, Tim Visser, Mike Blair, Euan Murry all top class players. Would make most sides. It would be stupid to take them lightly.
15 Nov 2012, 09:16 am
Don’t think boks will take them lightly but they must be careful because most likely they will fall into tight forwards battle which will also suit Scotts. Bok need to be able to score points by try and not just penalties squeezed by forwards. Hopefully they will have more of a plan and lambie can bring the backs into the game without kicking good possession away.
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