I thought the Aussies got a rough deal against Ireland TBH.

I'm sure it had nothing to do with the Kiwi ref though...

Edit: Do the minnows really get a rough deal though? I really do get the impression the refs let a lot fly with the minnows probably due to their lack of experience.

Fair comment, I can't say I've really felt the lower-tier teams have been getting a tougher deal, but it's interesting that a former Test ref is saying they do. I guess a lot of it's down to perception - once the ref starts to think your team is a serial infringer, the borderline penalties will start to go against you (unless you're McCaw, in which case the ref will just say: "Sir Richie, there's space here at the side of the ruck, why don't you come in from there?").

Bad luck Scotland.

It was always going to be tight, they've been swapping world rankings recently.

Scotland just have to beat England now by enough points to squeeze themselves through....

Gutted.

I was a bit put off by that final play, given just how many kicks had been missed in the game; especially in those conditions.

Scotland always manage to up their game, when facing England. I can't see them winning though.

They should finally get their heads screwed on and up their game against everyone.

At the moment they've got Argentina and Italy breathing down their necks in the rankings, for a country that has such a long history of Rugby that should embarrass them into playing every game to their fullest.

I thought Argentina held out well and TBH were the only ones who looked close to getting a try.

Wish I hadn't missed the Scotland-Argentina match, sounds like the best one of the weekend (still, I was out buying a car, so not a complete write-off of a day).

I don't think there's any shame in losing to Los Pumas, they're a quality side and getting better. Really looking forward to their inclusion in the Tri-Nations - or whatever they'll call it after that.

Still, it will make this weekend's Scotland-England match even more of a spectacle.

.
One can not be serious? Is one familiar with the Six Nations? Scotland competes...for the wooden spoon.

Swapping rankings with Argentina....

Anyhoo. Heard some of the Scottish players and Assistant Coach going on about getting up for a big game against England, not difficult to rally the troops for a match against the old enemy.... Yada yada fraking yada.

When will they get over that? If they threw themselves into all of their matches like that then they wouldn't be in this position. Seriously, it's flattering that Scotland spends so much time thinking about England in all sporting tournaments but they really should look at the bigger picture.

Ask Any Scotsman, Irishman, Welshman ( otherwise knowen as the Celts ) and they will say they support two rugby teams, thier own countries team and who ever is playing against England.

Where's the fun in that? Watching your team stick it to England is one of the joys of any sport. If your team isn't available then any other will do.



Or ask any Aussie, Kiwi, South African . . .

I know, I lived in Scotland.

It seems a pity other nations flatter England so much with their attention, perhaps if they concentrated on their own games they may do better in all kinds of sports. I feel a bit bad not really caring how Scotland do, for example.

I guess that's the burden of successful invaders, Sweden has a similar problem with Finland...

Which is why I take full delight in doing the same and supporting any other team Scotland, Wales or Ireland are playing against. because lets face it they usually lose as most of the world is better than them in most sports.
(note I do know that England is most of the time crap as well)

I guess the one exception is cricket, afterall it's the English & Wales Cricket Board and we often have players from most of the other nations mentioned there..

Including South Africa.