Scotland head coach 'proud' of bonus point response but acknowledges plenty to work on
Sione Fukofuka was pleased with elements of Scotland’s performance in their 69-28 defeat to France in the Women’s Six Nations.
It was a mixed afternoon for Scotland at the Hive in their latest Women’s Six Nations match as they lost 69-28 to a powerful France side.
Head coach Sione Fukofuka admitted after the match that the scoreline was a fair one on the balance of the match as the visitors dominated for large periods. However, there were pleasing aspects as well - including four well-worked tries that were enough for the bonus point.
This is the most points Scotland have ever scored against France in a single match and Fukofuka believes the team now has a great platform to build on ahead of their final fixture in Dublin against Ireland next weekend. Obviously though, there was the acknowledgment that they needed to sharpen up in defence after shipping 11 tries.
He said: “Really proud of the response. Obviously we spoke about it pre-game and all week we've spoken to the players around putting on a performance for the home crowd and the girls have spoken and shared it pretty openly that the Hive is their home and they feel like it's their home.
“So it was great to see them come out and show elements of what we've been working on. There's still a lot to go through. We'll comb through it tomorrow and review and get ready for Ireland but the positive elements of that game today was really just getting our opportunities in the attacking half and being able to convert that.
“Being able to score four tries against a team like France shows the potential. Now we've got to build on that potential.
“It’s a big step forward in terms of mindset and attitude, just reinforcing how important it was that we came out and put a performance in front of the home crowd that was worthy of a Scottish jersey, that was worthy of playing at the Hive. A lot of work to do still, obviously, in terms of closing the gap.
“We still gave points to a really good French team but being able to score four points and take a bonus point out of that was really pleasing."
The beginning of the first half was the point where France really turned the screw. However, Scotland didn’t go completely under and regained some control of the match to get two further tries.
“We reflected on a couple of really tough performances where we weren't able to do that,” added Fukofuka. “So the growth in the group to be able to do that against a really good French team is quite pleasing. It shows that we have it in us. Now we've got to build on that and be better week in, week out."
Ahead of the Ireland match, where they will be in a battle to avoid the Wooden Spoon, the Australian added: “Now it's taking the platform that we set today, taking the confidence out of that and then competing for 80 minutes. It's great that we were able to score four tries across that time but the momentum swings and some of the management of the game we still need to be better at.
“Ireland is a very good team. They're going to be at home. But we feel as if we can get some confidence out of today and go into next week really well-prepped.”
Comments
Want to join the conversation? Please or to comment on this article.