News

State of the nation - Scotland

Tuesday 02nd December 2008

Mike Blair: Lion-hearted

In a year that produced more hiccups than your average regular down at the local, Scotland can at least take a few positives heading into 2009 and feel a stronger, more confident team for it.

The results certainly didn't favour the Scots who had a disastrous Six Nations, with only one win - a tryless dirge against England - coupled with a loss to Italy to show for their efforts.

Defence won the day against England and then coach Frank Hadden returned to a more high-tempo expansive style, which turned a first-Test defeat into a second-Test victory in Argentina over a weakened Pumas side in June

Previous to that victorious result in Buenos Aires, Hadden had only managed one win in his last eight games in charge and had to wait until a freezing afternoon in Aberdeen to record his next Test victory - against an under-strength Canada outfit.

But this season, like so many before, started off with a cloud of optimism with an experimental All Blacks side and an unconvincing Springbok team coming to town. However, the cloud that hovered over the Murrayfield faithful burst open and washed away any chance Scotland may or may not have had with one defeat after another to the Tri-Nations heavyweights.

Scotland the brave. Perhaps not quite so against a second-string All Blacks XV, but they certainly made amends with a determined performance a week later against the world champions. Ultimately, wayward kicking by Dan Parks and Phil Godman (one miss bang in front of the posts) foiled any hope the Scots had of making a forgettable year a memorable one.

Before the South Africa Test, Scotland last crossed the chalk at their home ground during the 2007 World Cup against Romania. It took the Scots four hundred minutes of Test rugby at Murrayfield to finally break what was a worrying drought, thanks to a close-range effort by lock Nathan Hines.

Where the light shines is in the potential of the current squad - one that blends the experience of Hines, Scott Murray, Chris Paterson and Mike Blair with the skills and excitement of young talents such as John Barclay, Nick du Luca, Ben Cairns and Thom Evans.

The forward pack is strengthening, both physically and in terms of experience, with the selectors facing a tough time in the November internationals when it came down to picking the second and back rows especially.

The back-line is growing with confidence and skill by the month. Scotland has produced some class discoveries and there is an energy about them that tantalizes the supporters.

Scotland fans want to see more running rugby, the kind which cut up a weakened Pumas side in June and broke through for six tries against the Canucks in November. Hadden should have the faith in his players to go down that same route on a more regular basis come Six Nations kick-off next year in February.

Star man: Scrum-half Mike Blair is beginning to master the extra responsibilities of captaincy, expectancy and being known as a threat to the opposition, and has regained the attacking confidence he showed in his early years. He has great hands, a good rugby brain, can kick, is quick and a tireless worker in defence. His nomination for the 2008 IRB Player of the Year award, despite Scotland's stuttering season, underlined his quality in adversity. With the British and Irish Lions series on the horizon, Blair is a shoe-in for a place in coach and fellow Scot Ian Mcgheechan's team for the trip to South Africa.