Robinson urges wasteful Scotland to tame Pumas

Ronnie Esplin,Gavin McCafferty
Saturday 05 June 2010 00:00 BST
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Andy Robinson has urged Scotland not to waste their chances against Argentina again when they face them in their two-Test tour. The Scotland coach bemoaned his side's profligacy during the 9-6 defeat by the Pumas at Murrayfield last November.

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 make the most of their opportunities this time.

"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 OK 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 Pumas. 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 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."

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