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Scotties through to the quarter |
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Written by MN5
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Monday, 01 October 2007 |
Well against ( a few ) odds Scotland have done
what they have (admittedly) always done during every World Cup, made it through
to the quarters which something that their Celtic cousins could not do (hahahahaha).
As legendary commentator Bill McLaren used to say they’ll be singing down the
streets of Hawick/Stirling/Aberdeen etcetcetc. Wonderful stuff. Sure, much like
in 2003, they made it by the skin of their lilywhite asssssses after being
hammered in pool play by the top seed but this result speaks for itself. The
tension during the Italian game was huge, up there with Tonga/South Africa, you
could have cut it with a skeen dhu!!! (Scottish dirk/knife ).
The Scots never looked like scoring a try, Italy
on the other hand scrambled over for one but the Scots will be thanking their
lucky stars they have Chris Paterson. Say what you like about Scotland's various
limitations as a team, this guy is a goal kicking freak, he makes Grant Fox look
like Gavin Hastings did on that fateful day against England in 91. It was a
great display of wet weather rugby from the boys in dark blue, still I suppose
they should be used to rain and mud. They showed character and tenacity and most
of all DISCIPLINE. Italy got away with all sorts of silly shit off the ball, the
ref missed a few elbows and a blatant trip by one of them on Dan Parks. One of
the Italians also gave Scottish tight head Euan Murray a hearty shove, well it
would have been hearty if he budged, he stood there as if he was one of those
Orkney island stones and moved about as much as one. Sheesh maybe if he played a
week earlier the Scots may have got closer to the AB’s…..
Scotland got the last laugh in the match when Italy missed a very handy
shot from almost right in front, last laugh quite literally, when the camera
panned to Frank Hadden he laughed then quickly looked all serious no doubt
realising the camera was on him. Mrs MN5 and yours truly pissed ourselves. What
a great comedy moment. The wife is no great rugby fan but she was sitting on the
edge of her seat through this game probably due to the fact that the rest of her
Sunday would be hell if the Haggis eaters found themselves eliminated in pool
play for the first time in history. The much maligned (by me, mainly) Dan Parks
also had a fine game in the circumstances, his kicking from hand was top notch
and he controlled the game well.
Where to for Scotland ? well they have beaten Argentina many times before.
Their chances this time? Hard to say but in all honesty not looking likely. You
can be sure the Latin grease balls won’t be keen to give away ANY penalties
inside their own half, Paterson is just too deadly. Sean Lamont on the wing is
also due a big game, little brother Rory has been full of running, reminiscent
of Chris Latham, not that Latham has even retired but Lamont junior has been
carving up all before him and I needed someone to compare him to. Mind you he
did hit the deck very hard over the weekend and would look to be out with
concussion, time for the Scots to go hard and Lamont snr to step up, he's
overdue a big game. I’ve only seen one of the Argies game this WC to be honest,
that was the opener so can’t comment too much on them. Only one team I’ll be
cheering for though, I’d farkin well support England over Argentina !!!!!!
C’mon SCOTLAND !!!!!!!
NB. A special word must go out to Allesandro Troncon the Italian captain.
He played his heart out and as former Scotland captain David Sole said “looked
like he had a dose of angry pills”. The tears and heartbreak he felt were there
for all to see. I felt pretty sad for the dude, the wife got quite emotional
too, “isn’t someone going to give him a cuddle and tell him everything will be
all right ?” she lamented. It was a good touch to see him taken off on a couple
of team mates shoulders, clearly a popular dude. That’s the thing with sport,
someone has to lose and on this day it was him.
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