Gregor Townsend suggests that the high expectations of Scotland’s supporters during the autumn matches may have led to a sense of disappointment when the team did not manage victories against New Zealand or Argentina. He hints at a perceived ‘entitlement’ among fans that might have exacerbated their dissatisfaction.
Following a dominant 56-0 victory over Tonga at Murrayfield, where Scotland scored eight tries, Townsend addressed the criticism. He rejected any claims that his strategies and game plans were to blame for the team’s failure in their two most significant matches of an otherwise challenging series.
Facing increased scrutiny, Townsend finds himself under pressure, especially after Scotland squandered a 21-point lead in their recent loss to Argentina. This defeat followed a missed opportunity to secure a historic win against the All Blacks.
Despite the setbacks, Townsend, who recently renewed his contract, is set to continue leading Scotland into the upcoming Six Nations tournament.
Reflecting on the expectations of some fans, Townsend remarked, “We need to clarify our position. I’m not sure there’s an entitlement to expect victories over top-tier teams like the All Blacks and Argentina. We hold no automatic right to defeat any team.”
He further acknowledged the need for improvement, stating, “We’ve concentrated on the final 20 minutes against Argentina, understanding that’s a crucial area for us to enhance.”
Gregor Townsend pictured before 56-0 rout of Tonga that rounded off the autumn series
‘But to look at it and go: “The other stuff isn’t good and we have to do something different”, I totally disagree.
‘Coaches aren’t too important and relevant in team performance at times. We learn game to game. I’ve never been more convinced [that this team is moving forward].’
Asked for his thoughts on the campaign as a whole, which started with an 85-0 win over the USA, Townsend continued: ‘The 20 minutes we had against Argentina is the negative throughout the four games.
‘While it’s only 20 minutes, it’s 20 minutes that cost us a game and that’s what we have to get right. We need to manage those momentum swings better, that’s a big learning from this campaign.
‘The players, like they did today, are the ones that drive our performance and I’m so grateful to work with this player group.
‘The way the team is playing, I believe, is inspiring our supporters, putting top teams under pressure and it should have led to victories. It didn’t and that’s what we’re trying to work on.
‘The New Zealand game was one of the best performances we’ve seen. The 20 minutes against Argentina doesn’t change what the team did the week before.
‘Of course, we want it to be perfect – we have to be better when the opposition have their moments. The game the players are putting out there is a game that can take us to success, whether that’s Six Nations or beyond.’
Duhan van der Merwe attempts an offload during the thrashing of Tonga at Murrayfield
Scotland captain Sione Tuipulotu came out swinging and took a swipe at what he perceived to be people turning their back on the national team following the capitulation against Argentina.
Asked if this team is capable of more than simply making up the numbers at next year’s Six Nations, he replied: ‘To be honest, I’m kind of tired of sitting up here and promising what we’re going to do.
‘I think a big focus for myself is getting into tip-top form going into that Six Nations.
‘We’ll take care of those games when they come, one game at a time. I think it starts off with a pretty tough task in Italy away and one that we need to fix and learn from, from losing there last time.
‘I’m not going to sit up here and give you guys headlines to go write in the media about how we’re promising this and how we’re promising that just for you guys to create a headline and turn your back on us.
‘I’m just going to sit up here and be honest about that. I’m not going to give you that headline.
‘We’ve got to regroup and we’re the guys in the changing room that have got to ultimately get over the hump. The only thing I care about is what’s said in the changing room and not what’s said on the stage.’
Asked to expand on who, exactly, had turned their back on the team, he continued: ‘Look, to be honest, I haven’t been looking at much of the media after last week.
Sione Tuipulotu tries to barge his way past three Tongans during his team’s victory
‘As captain, this will be the first time where it’s actually been difficult for me to understand the other side of the coin.
‘It’s not what’s going to be said up on the stage or making promises and headlines and stuff like that. No one really cares about that. The only thing people care about is us actually getting over the hump.
‘For me, it’s about keeping the group tight and what matters is what’s said in our changing room and how we feel about each other.
‘We will all go back to our clubs now and we’ve got some huge games at club level. The important thing is to focus on those and make sure we go into the Six Nations in red-hot form.
‘We have had chances against New Zealand and Argentina, so there is obviously frustration there. But there have been some positive things in there for us as well.’
