posted Jun 10, 2008

There appears to be a lot of unjust criticism of Frank Hadden in recent weeks. I dont believe that it is his tactics that should be called into question but rather his selection.

Dan Parks should be removed for all conceideration, has proven time and again that he is not a stand-off of test match quality. He has been agruably Glasgows most influential player this season, but plays a different more defence game when playing for Scotland. CP should get the stand-off role, he commits more defenders and plays closer to the gain line, which opens up the space for those around him. Also, Gordon Ross is SO underated, he should at least be in conceideration for a place in the squad. Phil Godman and David Blair should be the two stand-offs competiting for selection in the A suqad.
At scrum-half, there seems to be an opinion in Scotnad that Mike Blair is the be-all-and-end-all in that position. While I agree that he is our best scrum-half, I'm concerned about what would happen should he become injured. Players like Rory Lawson, Mark McMillan and Chris Cusiter should be getting some game time in the closing stages of matches, otherwise they would freeze should anything happen to Mike.
I though it was a bit harsh to throw Ben Cairns in from the start on Saturday, especially when his opposite man was Gonzalo Tiesi. He and Nick De Luca along with Max Evans are very promosing up and coming centres, there need to be introduced to test matches slowly though. I think Hadden should start with Morrison and Henderson in the centre, a tried and tested Glasgow combination, and introduce those players to the frame gradually.
Thom Evans postion a one of the wingers should be cemented. A pair of fit Lamont brothers should occupy the other wing and full-back positoins respectively. But until they're fit, Hugo Southwells experience is incomparable at full-back and Simon Danielli deserves a good run on the wing provided he stays injury free.

In the forwards, Jacobsen, Ford, Murray in the front row is our most formidable trio. The strength we have behind them is the best in Europe in my opinion. I think with relation to the back row and second row, we should start concentrating on club-tested combinations. At Glasgow, Kellock and Brown 4 and 5, Johnnie Beatie 8 and John Barley 7. At Edinburgh, Matt Mustchin will soon be joined by Jim Hamilton in the second row. With Ally Hogg at 8, Ross Rennis 7 and Dave Callum in reserve for the back row. Both of these sets would be complimented greatly by the presence of Jason White or Alistair Strokosch at blindside. Scott Murray and Scott McLeod should also be used frequently as impact substitutaion players, especially in games where the line-out is key.

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posted Jun 10, 2008

HMG

A measure for me is how well Rob Moffat gets on tomorrow night against Argentina in the Churchill Cup. If the A team win being not at what most people would say full strength what would that say.
I totally agree with you we have a good bunch of players in the main. You don't have to be a martinet to prove you are serious, but some of the old Edinburgh habits now infect the international squad - time for fumigation.
White picked ahead of Strokosch in 6N
Hogg not playing at 8.
Barclay with 2 caps being singled out for personal criticism playing against Martyn Williams, 2nd best no7 in the world.
De Luca makes ML dream team, yet doesn't get to support his partner on his first cap.
Good management? - Not!

I used to play basketball under a PE teacher who for some reason would get me off the bench, he kept picking the same team and lost.
Almost gave up, wiser PE teacher convinced me not to and I ended up being selected for the Scotland U18 squad. There is alway hope for the future, don't give up.

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posted Jun 10, 2008

GRANTOWN

UNJUST ON HADDEN !!!!!!

Oh please we are being tame bearing in mind the record he has since he took over.

Henderson - oh no not him again.

Venachar - with you totally re 6N disaster selections + NDL not playing. Interesting that so many of us on here wanted Thom Evans and Cairns for 6N and eventually they have been given a belated chance, as did Strokosh.

Maybe Hadden will end up picking team mot of wanted ages ago - unfortunately it may well be too late - for him at least.

But I never give up - will go to Autumn games + 6N and support passionately as always; its just so frustrating that these guys aren't being given decent coaching and the right players picked.

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posted Jun 10, 2008

Grantown:
"I think Hadden should start with Morrison and Henderson in the centre, a tried and tested Glasgow combination"

I don't like to critisise others comments but that statement takes the buiscuit. They can't pass, run fast, run at angles or kick. A worse centre partneship you could not find. I would rather have Hogg and Beattie in the centre.

Otherwise, you make som valid points though.

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posted Jun 10, 2008

in reply to "HADDEN MUST GO"

The record he has since he took over:
Year 1:
3rd place finish in the 6 nations (our highest)
Including a wins over France adn Italy
As well as beating England to win the Calcutta Cup
Great autumn test series

Year 2:
The quarter finals of the RWC, our joint best

Year 3:
2nd succesive Murrayfield Calcutta Cup win

For me, I am very proud of that record, proud of what Frank has achieved with this small nation. We will never have the resources, player numbers or facilities to win the RWC or come top of the 6 nations, in the near future. Franks record is the closest we can come with the resources and players he has to work with.

And as for your comment about Henderson "oh no not him again" - a Scottish back who scored a hat-trick in a test match less than a year ago. An excellent ball-carrying atacking option and a solid defender. I'm interesed, why are you scared of including this experienced centre?

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posted Jun 10, 2008

GrantownRugbyFan - 2006 was the only year in which Hadden delivered. In 2007 the RWC was thoughrouly average and the six nations was poor. This years Calcutta Cup was won by the sheer passion of the forwards. What Hadden has to work with currently is a very good player base. The problem is that he is too stupid to select the best ones.
As for Henderson, I would be scared out of my wits by playing him. He has ruined many try-scoring oppertunities: e.g. v Ireland by not passing to Lamont and v Italy by falling over with the tryline in sight.

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posted Jun 11, 2008

Grantown

You seem to have the same expectation level as Simon Taylor and Frank Hadden. You accept mediocrity.
The mish mash of selection has detracted from Scotland realising the potential of their younger players.
Ben Cairns would be champing at the bit to get into the Scotland side as would any keen young professional player. If you don't want to display your talents on the big stage then you should not be there.
First cap nerves for sure but get on with it. I am not saying at all that Scotland should win every match they take the field for. However it is the level of performance I have been looking at. Perform and be beaten by the better side then fair enough no complaints from me. However this year the win ratio has be been abysmal and the performances overall have been abysmal. To me this is down to the selections and tactics of the coach. To say this is unjust on Frank Hadden puts you in a very small minority in this country.

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posted Jun 11, 2008

Well said lads - he mustbe related to Uncle Frank.

On to this weekend - I see Sky reporting the "good news for Scotland that Dan Parks has recovered from his ankle injury".

Oh please no.

Will hapless pick Desperate again - what do you think ???

And lets hope he doesnt dump Cairns or Evans the way he dumped De luca and Barclay. But who knows - the guy is on a different planet.

Slight hope as Arg have only slightly strengthened their squad whereas previous reports suggested more of the established 1st team coming back.

Last chance for Hadden and parks - yet again.

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posted Jun 12, 2008

I think that alot of the people commenting on this article really need to open there minds slightly and relise that there is a HUGE contingent of Hadden supports around the country, and that they are infact the a minority of complainers hungry for Hadden blood.
And no "HADDEN MUST GO" I'm not related to uncle Frank - I'm just a Scotsman!!

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posted Jun 13, 2008

Grantown

My mind was opened after last years Italy match.
If there is a large body of support out there for Mr Hadden it must be the PE teachers union, cos I'm damned if I have come across anyone this year who likes what he had done or continues to do.
He must be smoking something up there in the back of the stand at Murrayfield but he ain't watching the same game as me on a Friday evening.

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