USA 30-29 Scotland: Scotland ‘lacked leadership’ in key positions – Peter Wright

The Scots had beaten Canada 48-10 last weekend and finish their summer tour against hosts Argentina on Saturday.

“[Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend] got the selection back to front,” said Wright on Sportsound. “He should have played this team against Canada, and put the Canadian selection in against USA, because it was slightly more experienced.

“I’m not sure what the rationale was. I know they looked at this as a development tour, and part of development is you have got to put guys under pressure.

“The guys that played badly, or didn’t play consistently for 80 minutes, have to have a serious look and understand that international rugby is about getting your basics correct, and your decision-making correct, and then adding that touch of class.

“The penalty count was poor, and the type of penalties they were giving away was poor. And the mistakes – Matt Fagerson dropping that high ball [in the build-up to the USA’s decisive third try for Hanco Germishuys] was inexcusable for me. You just want a player to do the basics right, and that gifted them points.

“Once USA believed they could win, they really put Scotland to the sword and Scotland really struggled with the physicality of the Americans. That was a concern for me.”