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Wed 23 Sep 2015 | 07:20
Scotland get RWC campaign underway with convincing win over Japan

7
Comments

Japan were unable to repeat the heroics of the weekend as they were convincingly beaten 45-10 by Scotland at Kingsholm earlier today. The first half proved to be a hard-fought contest, but in the second it was all Scotland, as fatigue perhaps affected the Brave Blossoms.

Scotland scored five second half tries to claim the bonus point win and put them top of Pool B.

"We really put it to them in the second half," said skipper Greig Laidlaw. "They were saying during the week that if they were in the game at half-time they were going to take us."

Japan trailed 12-7 at halftime but the scoreline could have been worse if it were not for a sensational trysaving tackle just before the break. "Credit to Japan, they were awesome in the first game against South Africa and again they were really tough opponents."

"I felt they [Japan] probably felt the four days today to be fair. We've got a good medical staff and they'll be working hard over the next four days to get us back on our feet," added Laidlaw, referring to their short turnaround before their next match against the USA on Sunday. 

Posted By: Grant Constable

7 Comments

  • drg
    12:13 AM 25/09/2015

    Jimmy it wasn't directly aimed at yourself but the nature of the comments which were perhaps more focussed on Japan and their failings than Scotland and their achievements... thus "japan lost the match" rather than Scotland won it...

    All in all, I see that you're more wondering as opposed to excusing. I'm not a fan (even though I do it myself) of excuses for teams performances, for instance Wales would have won 2015 RWC if not for their injuries.... sounds a bit pathetic as opposed to the style you wrote which would be more like "I wonder how far Wales would have gone if not for the injuries".... Like I said, I think a lot can be said for how Scotland turned the screws in their first game this tournament.

  • mattyj
    10:47 AM 24/09/2015

    I think Samoa will be able to expose Scotland. The Blossoms made yards every time they took the ball in, usually getting past the gainline with two scots around their waist but never with anyone on the shoulder for a quick pick/ offload. Samoa will DEFINITELY expose this with their offloading game after the collision, or Fotuali'i will snipe either side of the breakdown.

  • jester_wulf
    9:34 AM 24/09/2015

    I don't think that the Blossoms were overwhelmed by the media attention, the fan craze etc. They looked as if they were motivated by it and wanted to keep it up. And maybe they tried too hard and lost the thing they had against SA - something I would call "no pressure".

  • jimmy23
    8:29 AM 24/09/2015

    It's not like I didn't give Scotland any credit! They deserved to win undoubtedly, but under other circumstances would it been as emphatic? I know every team has a tight turnaround but bear in mind the physical and mental effort Japan must have put into the South African game. That on top of the euphoria and media attention they'd have been getting after must have been near overwhelming, probably haven't experienced anything like it before. I think it's just unfortunate that their turnaround game was against the next best team in the pool.

  • drg
    1:26 AM 24/09/2015

    I think the above are taking away credit from the Scots. Both the above are right about a short turn around, but everyone gets one (I believe), so it's the nature of the tournament. Also Scotland may have had a few handling errors, however it was their first game of the tournament, I take it you missed the England Fiji game?

    Scottish defence was solid and quick. I believe they'll struggle against SA purely because SA has a lot to make up for and could be coming back guns blazing. As for Samoa, it all depends on how the Scots can handle the big runners. I don't believe winning against Samoa is an out of this world gamble. In fact, Scotland is short odds against both Samoa and USA, no sign of SA odds yet...

  • jimmy23
    12:04 AM 24/09/2015

    Aww man, was hoping the Japanese would get 2/2. Don't want to take too much away from the Scots performance as their defence was pretty solid and were very clinical. But one can't help but wonder how much the 4 day turnaround and the aftereffects of the game against the Springboks would have affected them.

  • mattyj
    8:53 PM 23/09/2015

    Very disappointing watching as a brwave blwossom enthusiast but they held good for 60 minutes. Even almost came back from the easy tries gifted to scotland. Didn't feel Scotland were particularly good and they're gonna struggle against Samoa and South Africa. Excited for Scottish Rugby but they seem to be cursed by handling errors and they were lucky that terrible missed kickoff didn't result in an Japanese try! They did get stronger in defence and braver in attack once they were clear 20 though. I'm sure every other blossom fan will continue to wonder how this match may have gone with a fully rested side instead of the fatigued one seen today after 60 minutes.

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