The Ospreys and Glasgow played out a pulsating 20-20 draw at the Liberty Stadium on Sunday afternoon. Here is my Warriors player ratings on what was a frustrating afternoon:
Backs
15 Peter Murchie (6) – Started well but faded after 50mins – Decent outing
14 Lee Jones (7) – Looked very lively with ball in hand, one searing break in particular a highlight
13 Taqele Naiyaravoro (4) – Wrong option almost every time
12 Sam Johnson (6) – Looks a solid addition. Decent in attack and defence
11 Rory Hughes (8) – Big performance from the returning winger. Physical, busy and in the right place for his try
10 Duncan Weir (6) – Mixed from Dunc. Seems to be running the ball better, but his kicking was not his best.
9 Grayson Hart (6) – Seems to always get at least one silly turnover where the forwards knock the ball away from him? Solid if not spectacular.
Forwards
1 Ryan Grant (3) – Manshamed in scrum once again
2 Pat MacArthur (5) – Darts on target, but smashed in the loose
3 Sila Puafisi (2) – Must take responsibility for scrum. Also gives away daft penalties. Warriors need another tighthead.
4 Greg Peterson (6) – Better from the big USA international. Carried well
5 Leone Nakarawa (6) – Great offload for first try, carried well and looked dangerous.
6 Robert Harley (6) – Good return. Lively in defence
7 Chris Fusaro (7) – The pick of the forwards. 45 minutes of all action from Fuzzy
8 Ryan Wilson (6) – Carried well, abrasive but still a penalty tightrope. Credited with the Glasgow try
Substitutes
16 James Malcolm (6) – 13 minutes, looks a prospect
17 Gordon Reid (6)- Shored up the scrum, carried well.
18 D‘arcy Rae (5) – Not much to do
19 Josh Strauss (6) – Still carries too upright but made hard yards.
20 James Eddie (5) – Mr Consistency. Does the simple things right. Needs more game time
21 Ali Price (5) – Not as sharp as previous weeks
22 Gregor Hunter (N/A) – Not Used
23 Glenn Bryce (5) – Short cameo, but will get more games during 6 Nations
In conclusion, a game that the Warriors probably should have won. The defence just seems that bit more porous this year, although the Eli Walker try was a thing of beauty. These are tough times for the Warrior nation….
1 Response
For me, I think Weir was arguably Glasgows MOTM – full of energy, making good decisions and his kicking was almost flawless. Turning down Lyon and Glasgow and moving to Edinburgh undoubtedly is the right decision for him in Rugby terms, but I do hope Glasgow don’t look back and regret it.
Thought we seemed to be protecting Strauss when he came on – he was overlooked as the runner on multiple ocassions – have to assume he’s over the concussion or there’s no way he’d have been near the squad, but was unusual to see him given the clearing role, rather than the carrier.