By Lucky Maree
Seven months out from the World Cup Wales is already on the back foot. Warren Gatland’s Wales team need a big win – but they’ve got a major mountain to climb.
Not only are Gregor Townsend’s Scotland side riding high after their massive bonus point win against England last week, they’re getting ready for the World Cup and they mean business.
Although there is no score in the first ten minutes there is nothing to indicate that Wales will compete as Scotland make all the plays.
Scotland’s three points from a penalty was always coming as Wales scramble to contain the attacking Scots.
When Rio Dyer and Dan Biggar have a misunderstanding, Biggar can’t wait to shout abuse at the young wing for all the world to see. But that’s Dan Biggar for you.
On 24 minutes, Dan Biggar misses a very kickable penalty. What that does, not only to Biggar’s confidence but the entire team, remains to be seen.
After 30 minutes, there have been only two penalties for Scotland through the boot of Finn Russell, but it looks as if man for man, Wales has no answers for Scotland.
Scotland’s seven pointer through George Turner leaves Wales trailing by 13 points – a fair reflection of the game.
For the second time in the match, referee Andrew Brace makes a good card decision. Sending George Turner off for 10 minutes could so easily have been a red card.
On 36 minutes Wales score a well-deserved power try that reduces the deficit to six points. A turning point? Probably not, but a good start.
Once again Biggar and Dyer are at loggerheads, but this time it’s a disaster. Biggar passes behind his back and Dyer drops a pass he should have taken. It might just be Wales’ last scoring opportunity.
It takes until 51 minutes before Scotland score their second try.
Liam Williams gets a yellow for repeated infringements. Playing one player short is a handicap Wales can’t afford and one minute later Scotland score their third try.
With Wales now out of the contest, the question is can Scotland score the fourth try for the bonus point?
With ten minutes to go, three of Scotland’s stars engineer the fourth try. Finn Russell chips to the sideline, Duhan van der Merwe collects and passes inside to Blair Kinghorn who scores a perfectly worked try.
With three minutes left to go Matt Fagerson scores Scotland’s fifth as a bruised and beaten Wales all but hoist the white flag.
A few Scots players deserve a special mention. Duhan van der Merwe, Kyle Steyn, Willem Nel, Pierre Schoeman all played their hearts out for the Scotland Rugby tartan. They really did.
Can a team score once, lose by 28 points and still claim improvement? Not that it matters anymore, but Wales were better than last week. Scotland? Clinical. Two matches, the full 10 well-deserved tournament points.
Scotland (5 tries) 35-7 (1 try) Wales
Pictured above: Scotland running to touch down a try
Image source: Twitter
