news-engine

← rugby

Search this site

glasgowwarriors.com · unknown author · 2026-09-06T14:00:19+00:00 · nguồn gốc

Smith told Scotland Rugby News: "I've learnt from so many pre-season games in my life that it's not about the result. Yes, I think they [Newcastle] were chasing the result a little bit more. "It would have been different if we had come with a young team here and they [Newcastle] did not manage to get that score. "We definitely wanted to give minutes to Dan Halkon, Jake Shearer, Dylan Cockurn and Tavi Tuipulotu. Those are guys that we need to introduce to our environment, they must understand what it takes. "You can experience this only if you feel it. We've learnt from it when we win the top games or play the top games, but we're also introducing a new bunch of players. It's a mission accomplished for us." Glasgow's response after the interval was particularly encouraging, the Warriors refusing to buckle and taking the game back to their hosts. That attitude was what pleased Smith most as his squad continued preparations for the new campaign. "To not lose faith in the process that we're doing, that's the thing I'm most proud of at the Warriors," he added. "It doesn't matter always about the result, it's the belief of the players and the understanding and the contribution of the coaching group." There was also a significant milestone for Tavi Tuipulotu, who made his first appearance for the Warriors after missing the entirety of last season through injury. The younger brother of Scotland captain Sione Tuipulotu was named in the starting XV, with Smith delighted to see the young prop finally get back on the field. "This guy hasn't played for 14 or 15 months. I told him before the game, all we want is a first outing, so, that is achieved now. "He's got confidence from that. His strength scores are improving and that is everything he needs to still add to his young body to play in the front row. Hopefully, he'll come through with more energy." Smith opted not to call upon a number of his more experienced replacements, including Josh McKay, Dan Lancaster and Bayley Kuenzle, but confirmed those who did take to the field had come through the contest unscathed. Attention now turns to the visit of Bath to Old Anniesland in a fortnight, when Glasgow's returning international contingent will begin to be reintegrated into the squad. "It will take a little bit to recover, but with the internationals in, we'll have a nice big group to train with," said Smith.