Townsend hails Scotland for showing ‘true identity' in victory over Samoa
Seven different Scotland players scored tries as the tourists won 41-12 at Eden Park in Auckland.
Scotland opened their tour with victory over the Maori All Blacks in New Zealand but were on the end of an ill-disciplined 29-14 defeat by Fiji in Suva last weekend.
That result was a major blow for Scotland's aspirations of breaking into the top seeds ahead of the World Cup draw in December, but Townsend's side reacted in the best way possible to finish the season on a high.
'It was hugely important,' Townsend said. 'You rise to a challenge and you show your true identity when you've got that challenge of backing up a defeat and the players showed that.
'The way they came together during the week with just a six-day turnaround and one training session, they were really aligned and focused on delivering a better performance and they did that.'
Scotland quickly got on top through tries from Lions-bound Ewan Ashman and Rory Hutchinson in the opening 13 minutes and were always in control of the game.
Arron Reed, Kyle Steyn, Grant Gilchrist, Kyle Rowe and George Turner all crossed with the Samoans grabbing two second-half tries of their own.
Townsend said: 'We had to defend really well at the beginning of the game. I thought Samoa brought a lot from their attack. They were direct, they were physical and they moved the ball well to the wide channels.
'So that set us up really well for us to move the ball when we had it. I thought we were really clinical in the 22, through our forwards mainly, with the mall, but also the direct carrying.
'And then just some really good skills to score tries and give us that cushion going into half-time.
'That would be close to how well the team played against the Maori. This game was more physical.
'It's been a really enjoyable tour, so it's important we finish with a top performance.'
Townsend hailed scrum-half Jamie Dobie, who was involved in the build-up to several tries, but was stopped just short of the line himself and delivered some important defensive interventions.
'Jamie was great,' he added. 'He was battling with cramp near the end, but for him to go from nine to wing and play equally as well….
'I thought Gregor Brown was outstanding, came back from injury and then getting another injury in our first game on tour. Grant Gilchrist going 80 minutes again and Fin Richardson in his first cap, showing real energy.
'And it was really pleasing to see our scrum and our line-up maul being dominant. It's something we've spent a lot of time working on. The players have really worked hard and we have had our rewards in that area on this tour.'
Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News
Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Powys County Times
an hour ago
- Powys County Times
It's mad – Ethan Williams in dreamland after first senior goal for Man Utd
Ethan Williams feels 'blessed' after the late call-up to Manchester United's pre-season tour squad scored a superb first senior goal for his hometown club. The 19-year-old academy product ended last season on loan at Cheltenham, scoring two goals in 17 appearances during a fruitful spell in League Two. Williams had expected to spend much of this summer working with the Under-21s, only for Red Devils boss Ruben Amorim to last week give him the nod for their pre-season tour to the United States. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Manchester United (@manchesterunited) A whirlwind week peaked on Wednesday night in Chicago, where he replaced Amad Diallo in the 70th minute and went onto score a fine strike in a promising 4-1 win over Bournemouth. 'It's mad, I can't believe it,' Williams said. 'It still hasn't really sunk in, to be honest. It's a dream come true and I'm so happy right now. 'I'm thinking about all the moments, all the hard work I've been through,' he said. 'You know, I feel so blessed and so happy to be given this opportunity. 'To score, it's mad. I can't even explain how I am feeling, to be honest.' Williams was an unused substitute in their first Premier League Summer Series friendly against West Ham at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, where next year's World Cup final will be held. 2️⃣ wins in 2️⃣ at the #PLSummerSeries 🙌 — Manchester United (@ManUtd) July 31, 2025 It is a position the winger did not expect to find himself in at the start of last week, when he was primed to stay home having been an unused substitute in the senior side's pre-season opener against Leeds. 'It was last-minute,' Williams told club media. 'I was kind of told I wasn't (going) and then I was. 'I remember just… not really jumping around the bedroom, but I was buzzing. 'I've been trying to train well as these guys are the best players I've ever trained with, know what I mean? To be around it and be learning every single day is a real blessing and I'm just thankful for it all.'
Scottish Sun
an hour ago
- Scottish Sun
Inside Colin Hendry's downfall from Scotland and Rangers heroics to bankruptcy, drink driving and TWO harassment raps
AT his peak, Colin Hendry was one of the most successful and recognisable football stars on the planet. Known as 'Braveheart' as a result of his flowing locks, the combative central defender captained Scotland into the 1998 World Cup - still our last ever appearance at that stage - led Blackburn to the Premier
Daily Mirror
an hour ago
- Daily Mirror
Sarina Wiegman: Lionesses boss tipped to get Premier League job with future up in the air
Sarina Wiegman has now won the Women's European Championship three times after guiding England to glory in Switzerland, but she is now being linked with a shock move to the Premier League Sarina Wiegman has surprisingly been tipped for a Premier League role after masterminding the Lionesses' triumph at the Women's European Championship. The 55-year-old Dutch coach, who also led England to glory three years prior in the same competition and to the final of the Women's World Cup in 2023, is now being talked about as a potential trailblazer in English football. Despite no current vacancies in the Premier League, ex- Tottenham Hotspur star Jamie O'Hara is adamant that Wiegman has the credentials to transition from women's to men's football, even if Wiegman herself remains nonchalant on the idea. Speculation has gained momentum after FA chief Mark Bullingham remained coy regarding Wiegman's future, despite her having signed an extension last January to stay on until after the 2027 World Cup in Brazil. When quizzed about securing Wiegman's services beyond her current contract following her latest accomplishment, Bullingham said: "It's a bit early for that. We are delighted she is with us for the World Cup, and we will have that conversation at an appropriate time." However, speaking on talkSPORT, O'Hara suggested that the FA's hesitation might just be a blessing for a top-flight club. The 38-year-old pundit is convinced that Wiegman possesses the necessary skills to take on the challenge, reports the Express. "Unbelievable from the Lionesses. They've made it happen. Unbelievable from Sarina Wiegman as well," O'Hara said on The Sports Bar. "She plays great football, style of football. We want to play out from the back. We want to move the ball quickly. She's very calm. She's collected. She's done the business at the highest level. "Tactically, she gets things right. She knows when to make subs. In tournament football, it's different. I understand. I get that. I don't think it's different pressure. It's only pressure because she'd be the first [woman to manage in the men's game]". Jermaine Pennant, O'Hara's co-host and ex-Arsenal and Liverpool star, said: "It's a good question. The thing is, Premier League or the WSL [Women's Super League] is totally different from tournament football. Like I said, you can play not at your best and manage to scrape through. "Over 38 games in the Premier League, you can't do that. There'll come a point where you'll get found out and you'll end up in a dogfight, in a relegation battle. So it's a different test." Yet, former Spurs midfielder O'Hara stood firm in his opinion. He continued: "If you gave her the right infrastructure, you gave her the right football club, you know, with the players who would respect what she's about and respect what she's done, and I think you get that from Premier League footballers. "I genuinely believe that she could handle it tactically. She's amazing in the press. Everyone loves her, what she's about as a manager. She knows what she's doing. She's got a really good team around her. The modern-day footballer, I think doesn't want a Mick McCarthy anymore. They don't need someone to come in and give them a grilling and get on their case." When Pennant was asked whether he would have welcomed Spurs appointing Wiegman instead of Thomas Frank during their recent managerial hunt, he replied: "I wouldn't be against it. Yeah. I genuinely wouldn't be against it. I'm being serious. Because respect is earned, and she's earned it." The Euro 2025 victory marks Wiegman's third consecutive European Championship success, having previously guided the Netherlands to glory in 2017. But what does Wiegman herself think about stepping into men's football? In 2023, she insisted there was no progression to be made. She said: "My thoughts now are totally not in men's football, my thoughts are with the women's game and what we can do. I am just really happy in the role I work in now and I am really enjoying it... I really love my job for the FA and with England. This is the highest level."
