{"id":272691,"date":"2025-07-18T18:18:12","date_gmt":"2025-07-18T18:18:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/272691\/"},"modified":"2025-07-18T18:18:12","modified_gmt":"2025-07-18T18:18:12","slug":"samoa-v-scotland-scotland-player-ratings","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/272691\/","title":{"rendered":"Samoa v Scotland: Scotland player ratings"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"JamieJamie Dobie was man-of-the-match in Scotland’s win over Samoa. Image: SNS\/Scottish Rugby <\/a> <\/a> <\/a> <\/a> <\/a> <\/a> <\/a> <\/a><\/p>\n

Top display from one of Scotland\u2019s rich supply of back-three options. Made a somewhat strange decision to try and pass inside after a nice break, and with men outside of him, but his kick and chase early in the second half led to Grant Gilchrist\u2019s try, he finished his own well, and solid defensively, with one thumping tackle on his opposite number. [Latrell Smiler Ah-Kiong \u2013 6]<\/strong><\/p>\n

Scotland end summer tour with a comfortable win over Samoa<\/a><\/p>\n

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Seemed a little off, which may have been why he was replaced at half-time. Turned possession over with a forced pass when trying to break, and had failed to convert one half-chance before scoring a simple run-in. [Tuna Tuitama<\/strong>\u00a0\u2013 5]<\/strong><\/p>\n

If the ball had bounced a little differently he could have had a try assist for Arron Reed instead of a 50-22, but he was on to McDowall\u2019s grubber shortly after to score himself. Showed up well defensively again. [Duncan Paia\u2019aua \u2013 7]<\/strong><\/p>\n

Demonstrated the variation of his kicking game with a delicate grubber for try mentioned above, and one monstrous clearance from a defensive scrum. Showed good strength early on forcing McFarland to spill when in front of the sticks. [Henry Taefu \u2013 6]<\/strong><\/p>\n

Faded out of the game a little in the second half, but was very good in the first. A different bounce of the ball could have seen him score more than the one he did. Energetic chase to force Umaga into touch which led to opening try. Linked nicely with Burke on one occasion which nearly saw the stand-off go over. [Alosoio Logotuli \u2013 6]<\/strong><\/p>\n

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Showed nice hands, notably with his offload from the floor which allowed Rowe to dive over in the corner. Sweet link-up with Reed in first half nearly saw him over the line. Didn\u2019t see much of a kicking game from hand, wasn\u2019t great off the tee either. Needed an HIA and was replaced by Hastings for the last 20 minutes. [Jacob Umaga \u2013 5]<\/strong><\/p>\n

POTM. Early break on the blindside would have been a tremendous individual score, looked to exploit space around the fringes, lovely looping pass for Reed to score. Was shipped out to the wing for the second half but would occasionally shove Horne out the way to play scrum-half.
Could have scored a 9 had he not thrown two intercepts, although, to his credit, he tracked back well on the second one. [Melani Matavao \u2013 5]<\/strong><\/p>\n

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Had Ala\u2019alatoa on skates in the scrums, had a couple of knocks on the door ahead of Hutchinson try, helped get Ashman over the line, and solid enough in defence. Will head off to join the Lions with a spring in his step. [Aki Seiuli \u2013 6]<\/strong><\/p>\n

Celebrated his surprise Lions call-up with one of his most assured displays in blue. Strong arrows, one of which saw him cross the whitewash. Was alert to Samoan overthrows and turned those in metres. [Pita Anae-Ah Su \u2013 5]<\/strong><\/p>\n

Saw very little of him in the loose but the scrum went Scotland\u2019s way. [Michael Ala\u2019alatoa \u2013 5]<\/strong><\/p>\n

Willing carrier without a great deal of gainl-ine advantage. Tireless tackler, including assisting McDowall early on to force a knock-on. Made a bit of a hash of the restart after the opening score. [Ben Nee-Nee \u2013 6]<\/strong><\/p>\n

Ruler of the skies and set-piece \u2013 when is he not? \u2013 the red capped veteran celebrated only his second international try to round off a pretty damn good day. [Sam Slade \u2013 5]<\/strong><\/p>\n

Grew into the game after a relatively quiet opening half. Couple of strong carries in the lead up to Rowe\u2019s try, won a turnover penalty just after Darge had left proceedings, looked to disrupt when Samoa were successfully building phases in the latter proceedings, and he was a good lineout option. [Theo McFarland \u2013 6]<\/strong><\/p>\n

Didn\u2019t get much chance to show his skills over the ball, mainly because Samoa kept on dropping it before he could get there, but tackled whatever came his way. Couple of nice link-up moments but nothing directly leading to points. [Jonah Mau\u2019u \u2013 5]<\/p>\n

Not a lot of carrying from the returning Warrior and, like his back-row cohorts, Samoa\u2019s inability to keep hold of the pill didn\u2019t offer him much chance to smash breakdowns until late on in the game. [Taleni Seu \u2013 6]<\/strong><\/p>\n

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One of the most destructive carriers in the squad, but we didn\u2019t see much of it, and the scrum started to creak a little once all three front-rows had been replaced. Nevertheless, his arrows were solid, he won a turnover penalty and got on the scoresheet.<\/p>\n

Won a scrum pen on his first shove, then started to concede, then got on top again. Made at least two decent carries and one good defensive shot.<\/p>\n

Wasn\u2019t on as long as McBeth, so he didn\u2019t have as much time to counterbalance the penalties given against him. One good carry ahead of Turner try.<\/p>\n

Gets around well for a very, very big man. Came on a little before the hour mark, didn\u2019t let anyone down, worked the maul well with Gilchrist.<\/p>\n

Only had a couple of minutes on the field after an injury to Jamie Dobie and was effective maul meat for Turner\u2019s try.<\/p>\n

On for Darge at the same time Henderson replaced Brown. Don\u2019t recall seeing much involvement from him, in an attacking sense certainly. With the stacked back-row options he may have to bide his time but there\u2019s bags of potential. Had taken a knock v AB Maoris.<\/p>\n

Not his greatest half of rugby in a game that seemed perfectly suited for him. Opted to play from deep which led to some panic and allowed Samoa an easy try through Ben Nee-Nee. If the game wasn\u2019t well over as a contest by that point he\u2019d score lower.<\/p>\n

Missed a tackle\/attempted rip on Duncan Paia\u2019aua which saw him score, nearly got a little dink and regather try but not quite. Didn\u2019t do much special.<\/p>\n

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Scotland end summer tour with a comfortable win over Samoa<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

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