Kobe (Japan) (AFP)
Completed contract: Scotland won Monday against Samoa (34-0), a vital boost in his race for the quarterfinals of the World Cup.
The Scots, revived by the surprise victory of Japan against Ireland (19-12) Saturday, must now start again against Russia on 9 October. Before the shock against the Japanese, which will look like true-false eighth finals, October 13.
After the defeat against Ireland (27-3), where he had been outclassed in all areas, the XV thistle had anyway really no choice but to pocket five points at the expense of the players Pacific.
But it was complicated! The Scots took 30 minutes to enter the match and waited for the 75th to register their fourth try, synonymous with bonus.
Before that, the men of Gregor Townsend have certainly abandoned many balloons en route, especially because of the humidity, but they were much more enterprising than against Ireland. In the image of Finn Russell, once again decisive on the first two trials, with a sublime kick corner, directly in the arms of Sean Maitland (31), then a breakthrough alone, concluded by Greig Laidlaw (35th ).
And, even if their forwards were not sovereign, the WP Nel pillar ahead, they displayed more willpower.
Sign of a certain confidence found, the back Stuart Hogg (38th) even tried a drop of 40 meters, the first managed by Scotland since Duncan Weir against Italy in 2014.
Virtually eliminated from the race to the quarter-finals, the Samoans themselves were too naive to hope to upset the hierarchy (32 missed veneers, 10 lost balls). They also earned winger Ed Fidow their third (59th) and fourth (75th) yellow cards in two World Cup matches.
The first two, in the success against Russia, had been sanctioned by three suspension matches for the Rey Lee-Lo center and hooker Motu Matu'u, who were absent in Kobe.
From now on, the Iliens will play the judges of peace in this hen: they remain two matches, against Japan on October 5 and then in front of Ireland a week later.
© 2019 AFP