Sharper finishing is key to Scots' hopes of success in Argentina

Published on Saturday 5 June 2010 01:47

THE Scotland rugby tour party left Edinburgh bound for Argentina yesterday, with coach Andy Robinson urging his players not to waste their chances in the two-Test series.

• Andy Robinson is urging his players to take their chance Pic:SNS

An unconvincing 24-5 win over a Japan select on Tuesday provided a warm-up for the first Test in Tucuman on 12 June and Robinson wants his men to step up and make the most of their opportunities.

The last time Robinson's men faced Argentina, he bemoaned his side's profligacy during the 9-6 defeat by the Pumas at Murrayfield in November.

"In any game of rugby that is what you have to do, and we didn't do it in that last game against Argentina," he said.

"We can look at three or four of the games when that hasn't happened.

"That's one of the areas of the game we need to improve on, our ability to finish.

"It's okay doing all the good build-up work but we have got to get across the line and score tries. We always have to have a real collective edge about the way we defend. Coming together for the Japan game enabled us to get that.

"There is always a way that we have to improve every facet of our game."

Robinson believes speed and support will be key to victory against the Argentinians.

He said: "You have to run on their inside shoulders, as well as moving them around.

"We have to be accurate with our passing and offloading, and unlike Tuesday we have to get numbers in support to the ball and get quick ball, and keep that tempo up all the time, as well as taking the chances.

"A lot of what we did in the autumn against Argentina was very good, apart from getting over the line.

"So we challenge ourselves to play with some width and pace, but make sure we score."

Robinson is hoping his players will have retained some confidence from the 23-20 away win to Ireland in the RBS Six Nations in March, although he never lacked the belief in his players before that impressive victory.

He said: "There has been a belief about the way the team has played through the autumn and the Six Nations.

"Again it was looking at ourselves, the accuracy of our handling, our inability to finish and some of the dull penalties we gave away.

"They are all facets you have in a very physical game, so it's important we are able to stay in control of the game in the way that we don't give dull penalties away, and also our execution – having good hands and being able to keep hold of the ball."

As expected, injured captain Chris Cusiter joined the squad on the journey yesterday, and he hopes to prove his fitness while away so that he can at least play a part in the second Test.

Meanwhile, the SRU has formally confirmed that Scotland's series of autumn internationals this year will be against New Zealand, South Africa and Samoa.

The matches against the All Blacks and Springboks will both take place at Murrayfield, while the venue for the final Test against the Pacific islanders has yet to be confirmed.

Scotland faced New Zealand, the current No 1 side in the world, and reigning world champions South Africa during the 2008 autumn series, losing both games. They have not played Samoa since the 2005 November Tests.

While the exact dates and kick-off times for the matches will not be confirmed until the SRU complete their search for a broadcast partner to televise the games, the Scotland are due to will face New Zealand on the weekend of 13-14 November, South Africa the following weekend and Samoa on 27-28 November.

Robinson said: "These internationals are very important and will provide us with the full-on challenge to improve that can only come from the intensity of the Test match arena.

"As a team, we will strive to produce a winning performance to inspire a strong and vocal Murrayfield support."