Visser Qualifies for Scotland

RuggerRadge2611 wrote:

KickAndChase wrote:Few points.

1. On the sourness about Visser originally wanting to play for England, I'd like to think that in his interviews when he talks about Scotland 'feeling like home' etc. that he is not lying. It's perfectly consistent too - when he came to Scotland he became a much better player, was developed and nurtured and probably had a good laugh up in Edinburgh all the time (I mean come on, it's a beautiful city) - although Newcastle is also a great place to be for the people.

I turned up in a country once and, even though I am a Scotsman living in England for most his life, it felt like home. Not enough to stay - but I caught a glimpse of what Visser might be feeling. I've no gripe about him turning up in the navy blue. If he doesn't feel Scottish it won't translate to performances: trust me.

2. This match against Fiji is HUGE. Not because of the fixture itself, not because of our world ranking, not because of the possibility of a southern hemisphere grandslam (Xtra-Lite Version.) But because, as has already been mentioned, our backline is in place. Pretty much everybody on this forum wanted to see:

9 Blair
10 Laidlaw
11 Visser
12 Scott
13 De Luca
14 Evans
15 Hogg
20 Cusiter
21 Weir
22 S Lamont

I mean come on - LOOK at that backline. It's actually good ... in theory. Blair is a fantastic open field runner. Laidlaw has a rugby brain and helps in the breakdown often due to his flexibility. Scott is still untested but it an out and out 12 with creativity. De Luca finally has a good 10 and 12 to play off. Visser is Visser. Evans is Evans. Hogg is excellent at broken field and at full back. Blair, Laidlaw, Hogg AND Visser are all known to support line breaks quickly and effectively (and add to that Rennie, Gray, Barclay.)

Having already demonstrated last week that our pack is not just fine, it is currently on immense form, this is now officially our backline testing ground. Fiji. In dry conditions, albeit heat. Fiji who are playing a running game. Scotland who have played a running game now for years. It's time to convert this potential into form.

If we fail to do this against a side relatively unprepared , off the back of an historic win (which is when we're traditionally at our softest, like putty) then I will officially not believe in this international side again. The reason I say that is because for the first time in my life, I think we've got a number on our opponents and will beat them by 20-30.

WHO'S WITH ME?

I am

KickAndChase wrote:Few points.

1. On the sourness about Visser originally wanting to play for England, I'd like to think that in his interviews when he talks about Scotland 'feeling like home' etc. that he is not lying. It's perfectly consistent too - when he came to Scotland he became a much better player, was developed and nurtured and probably had a good laugh up in Edinburgh all the time (I mean come on, it's a beautiful city) - although Newcastle is also a great place to be for the people.

I turned up in a country once and, even though I am a Scotsman living in England for most his life, it felt like home. Not enough to stay - but I caught a glimpse of what Visser might be feeling. I've no gripe about him turning up in the navy blue. If he doesn't feel Scottish it won't translate to performances: trust me.

2. This match against Fiji is HUGE. Not because of the fixture itself, not because of our world ranking, not because of the possibility of a southern hemisphere grandslam (Xtra-Lite Version.) But because, as has already been mentioned, our backline is in place. Pretty much everybody on this forum wanted to see:

9 Blair
10 Laidlaw
11 Visser
12 Scott
13 De Luca
14 Evans
15 Hogg
20 Cusiter
21 Weir
22 S Lamont

I mean come on - LOOK at that backline. It's actually good ... in theory. Blair is a fantastic open field runner. Laidlaw has a rugby brain and helps in the breakdown often due to his flexibility. Scott is still untested but it an out and out 12 with creativity. De Luca finally has a good 10 and 12 to play off. Visser is Visser. Evans is Evans. Hogg is excellent at broken field and at full back. Blair, Laidlaw, Hogg AND Visser are all known to support line breaks quickly and effectively (and add to that Rennie, Gray, Barclay.)

Having already demonstrated last week that our pack is not just fine, it is currently on immense form, this is now officially our backline testing ground. Fiji. In dry conditions, albeit heat. Fiji who are playing a running game. Scotland who have played a running game now for years. It's time to convert this potential into form.

If we fail to do this against a side relatively unprepared , off the back of an historic win (which is when we're traditionally at our softest, like putty) then I will officially not believe in this international side again. The reason I say that is because for the first time in my life, I think we've got a number on our opponents and will beat them by 20-30.

WHO'S WITH ME?

Captain_Sensible wrote:

alexgmacdonald wrote:Oh I totally agree, I was never saying Weir deserved it more. I think especially during the Six Nations, he sat too far back and played too far behind the gainline meaning we would lose ground. He may be a great club fly half but he is no way Scotland's future.

What? The guy played 20 minutes vs France when our scrum was being utterly destroyed and when we were under massive pressure at the breakdown, so he had to stand a little further back to actually give himself time to do something with the ball. Every flyhalf in the world would have done the same, especially one on their debut! Also, France were camped in our half, so Weir needed to kick for territory, which he did, not toss the ball around and risk losing the ball on our 22.

Also, he’s barely turned 20! How on earth can you make a judgement about him ‘no way’ being the future for Scotland when he is so young? He’s taken to pro rugby like a duck to water, and played a key role in a game plan which got Glasgow to the Rabo semi-finals. His place kicking is generally immaculate, he’s got a massive boot from hand and can mix it up well with his passing. He played a stormer for Scotland A vs England, and has produced the goods for Glasgow again and again.

Seriously, what an insane statement to make. If we made judgements like this for every player at 20 yrs old then hardly anyone would get a cap for Scotland.

alexgmacdonald wrote:

Captain_Sensible wrote:

alexgmacdonald wrote:Oh I totally agree, I was never saying Weir deserved it more. I think especially during the Six Nations, he sat too far back and played too far behind the gainline meaning we would lose ground. He may be a great club fly half but he is no way Scotland's future.

What? The guy played 20 minutes vs France when our scrum was being utterly destroyed and when we were under massive pressure at the breakdown, so he had to stand a little further back to actually give himself time to do something with the ball. Every flyhalf in the world would have done the same, especially one on their debut! Also, France were camped in our half, so Weir needed to kick for territory, which he did, not toss the ball around and risk losing the ball on our 22.

Also, he’s barely turned 20! How on earth can you make a judgement about him ‘no way’ being the future for Scotland when he is so young? He’s taken to pro rugby like a duck to water, and played a key role in a game plan which got Glasgow to the Rabo semi-finals. His place kicking is generally immaculate, he’s got a massive boot from hand and can mix it up well with his passing. He played a stormer for Scotland A vs England, and has produced the goods for Glasgow again and again.

Seriously, what an insane statement to make. If we made judgements like this for every player at 20 yrs old then hardly anyone would get a cap for Scotland.

Whoops, I didn't mean Weir! I meant Laidlaw. I didn't make it clear, my apologies.

Captain_Sensible wrote:

alexgmacdonald wrote:

Captain_Sensible wrote:

alexgmacdonald wrote:Oh I totally agree, I was never saying Weir deserved it more. I think especially during the Six Nations, he sat too far back and played too far behind the gainline meaning we would lose ground. He may be a great club fly half but he is no way Scotland's future.

What? The guy played 20 minutes vs France when our scrum was being utterly destroyed and when we were under massive pressure at the breakdown, so he had to stand a little further back to actually give himself time to do something with the ball. Every flyhalf in the world would have done the same, especially one on their debut! Also, France were camped in our half, so Weir needed to kick for territory, which he did, not toss the ball around and risk losing the ball on our 22.

Also, he’s barely turned 20! How on earth can you make a judgement about him ‘no way’ being the future for Scotland when he is so young? He’s taken to pro rugby like a duck to water, and played a key role in a game plan which got Glasgow to the Rabo semi-finals. His place kicking is generally immaculate, he’s got a massive boot from hand and can mix it up well with his passing. He played a stormer for Scotland A vs England, and has produced the goods for Glasgow again and again.

Seriously, what an insane statement to make. If we made judgements like this for every player at 20 yrs old then hardly anyone would get a cap for Scotland.

Whoops, I didn't mean Weir! I meant Laidlaw. I didn't make it clear, my apologies.

Ha, no worries mate.

Oh, and apologies for the somewhat harsh reply. Just re-read it, not really cool to call someone ‘insane’.

EWT Spoons wrote:

KickAndChase wrote:Few points.

1. On the sourness about Visser originally wanting to play for England, I'd like to think that in his interviews when he talks about Scotland 'feeling like home' etc. that he is not lying. It's perfectly consistent too - when he came to Scotland he became a much better player, was developed and nurtured and probably had a good laugh up in Edinburgh all the time (I mean come on, it's a beautiful city) - although Newcastle is also a great place to be for the people.

I turned up in a country once and, even though I am a Scotsman living in England for most his life, it felt like home. Not enough to stay - but I caught a glimpse of what Visser might be feeling. I've no gripe about him turning up in the navy blue. If he doesn't feel Scottish it won't translate to performances: trust me.

2. This match against Fiji is HUGE. Not because of the fixture itself, not because of our world ranking, not because of the possibility of a southern hemisphere grandslam (Xtra-Lite Version.) But because, as has already been mentioned, our backline is in place. Pretty much everybody on this forum wanted to see:

9 Blair
10 Laidlaw
11 Visser
12 Scott
13 De Luca
14 Evans
15 Hogg
20 Cusiter
21 Weir
22 S Lamont

I mean come on - LOOK at that backline. It's actually good ... in theory. Blair is a fantastic open field runner. Laidlaw has a rugby brain and helps in the breakdown often due to his flexibility. Scott is still untested but it an out and out 12 with creativity. De Luca finally has a good 10 and 12 to play off. Visser is Visser. Evans is Evans. Hogg is excellent at broken field and at full back. Blair, Laidlaw, Hogg AND Visser are all known to support line breaks quickly and effectively (and add to that Rennie, Gray, Barclay.)

Having already demonstrated last week that our pack is not just fine, it is currently on immense form, this is now officially our backline testing ground. Fiji. In dry conditions, albeit heat. Fiji who are playing a running game. Scotland who have played a running game now for years. It's time to convert this potential into form.

If we fail to do this against a side relatively unprepared , off the back of an historic win (which is when we're traditionally at our softest, like putty) then I will officially not believe in this international side again. The reason I say that is because for the first time in my life, I think we've got a number on our opponents and will beat them by 20-30.

WHO'S WITH ME?

Yeah why not, me too.

That said I'm still not a huge fan of Evans

KickAndChase wrote:

EWT Spoons wrote:

KickAndChase wrote:Few points.

1. On the sourness about Visser originally wanting to play for England, I'd like to think that in his interviews when he talks about Scotland 'feeling like home' etc. that he is not lying. It's perfectly consistent too - when he came to Scotland he became a much better player, was developed and nurtured and probably had a good laugh up in Edinburgh all the time (I mean come on, it's a beautiful city) - although Newcastle is also a great place to be for the people.

I turned up in a country once and, even though I am a Scotsman living in England for most his life, it felt like home. Not enough to stay - but I caught a glimpse of what Visser might be feeling. I've no gripe about him turning up in the navy blue. If he doesn't feel Scottish it won't translate to performances: trust me.

2. This match against Fiji is HUGE. Not because of the fixture itself, not because of our world ranking, not because of the possibility of a southern hemisphere grandslam (Xtra-Lite Version.) But because, as has already been mentioned, our backline is in place. Pretty much everybody on this forum wanted to see:

9 Blair
10 Laidlaw
11 Visser
12 Scott
13 De Luca
14 Evans
15 Hogg
20 Cusiter
21 Weir
22 S Lamont

I mean come on - LOOK at that backline. It's actually good ... in theory. Blair is a fantastic open field runner. Laidlaw has a rugby brain and helps in the breakdown often due to his flexibility. Scott is still untested but it an out and out 12 with creativity. De Luca finally has a good 10 and 12 to play off. Visser is Visser. Evans is Evans. Hogg is excellent at broken field and at full back. Blair, Laidlaw, Hogg AND Visser are all known to support line breaks quickly and effectively (and add to that Rennie, Gray, Barclay.)

Having already demonstrated last week that our pack is not just fine, it is currently on immense form, this is now officially our backline testing ground. Fiji. In dry conditions, albeit heat. Fiji who are playing a running game. Scotland who have played a running game now for years. It's time to convert this potential into form.

If we fail to do this against a side relatively unprepared , off the back of an historic win (which is when we're traditionally at our softest, like putty) then I will officially not believe in this international side again. The reason I say that is because for the first time in my life, I think we've got a number on our opponents and will beat them by 20-30.

WHO'S WITH ME?

Yeah why not, me too.

That said I'm still not a huge fan of Evans

Ah don't ruin it mate remember Walker, Danielli, Henderson, Dewey, Parks pre-2010? If Evans is our worst back (my goodness, he possibly is!) we're cruising.