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….