Finn Russell has brought ‘really good energy’ into the Scotland squad on his return and will make an impact no matter his role in Sunday’s test against New Zealand, says attack coach AB Zondagh.
Russell returned to Oriam this week after Adam Hastings was ruled out of the rest of the Autumn Tests with injury. Despite his controversial omission from the original squad, the mercurial stand-off has slotted right back in.
‘Finn is a really positive guy’
“It’s brilliant to have him back,” said Zondagh. “Finn is a really positive guy and he has brought some real good energy into the squad.
“He’s been part of our group for a long time, so he understands the DNA of the team. He’s slotted right back in. I think he’ll be good value for us if he’s starting or on the bench.
“I won’t give away too much in terms of the team that’s starting. But what I can say is that I know that Finn will have a good impact, that’s for sure.”
Kinghorn and Russell played alongside each other for a spell in Dublin in March, and the pair work together well, said Zondagh.
“Finn and Blair have a really good relationship,” he added. “They feed well off each other off the field, they help each other out.
“In terms of Blair’s performance or how he feels about it, I think he’s happy to have Finn back in the squad too.
“Finn’s a relaxed guy in general, so I think that rubs off on the rest of the guys in the squad.”
‘I just have to commend him on how he’s reacted’
Finn Russell straight from the bench, first touches of the ball and gives a masterclass in how to offload the ball 👇 pic.twitter.com/zJGF9GVLXd
— Andrew Brownhill (@AndrewBrownhil) November 7, 2022
Zondagh said that three outstanding performances for his club Racing since the squad snub had made it easy to recall Russell.
“I think he’s reacted positively,” the coach continued. “Form is something that comes and goes with players.
“I just have to commend him on how he’s reacted and how he’s played in the last couple of games.
“He made a massive impact in the last game he played (against Perpignan coming off the bench) and also the two previous games as well
‘We’ve been really impressed with the way he’s going, and we’re really happy to have him here.”
The fact it’s the All Blacks, coming off a 50-point, seven-try romp over Wales, doesn’t make it easy, he conceded.
“They are a very strong side, and they obviously score a lot of points,” he said. “We have to go out there and take them on.
“They do have specific weaknesses that we feel we have identified. It’s up to us to execute come Sunday.”