Shizuoka (Japan) (AFP)
Mission accomplished ... Scotland prepared their decisive game for the quarter-finals on Sunday against Japan, easily crushing Russia (61-0) in Shizuoka, a success enhanced by nine tries.
They had no choice either: to hope to see the World Cup quarterbacks for the eighth time in their history, the Scots had to win by registering at least four tries to afford a "true-false" "Eighth-final against the host country, Sunday in Yokohama, if the typhoon approaching Japan allows.
Here they are at one point from Ireland, who faces Samoa on Saturday, and four from their next opponent. Scotland is also, and above all, 80 minutes away from the second round. Not bad for a moribund team after being dominated in all areas during his first match in the competition, against Ireland (27-3).
On the hunt for the bonus, the Scots had three tries in 22 minutes, led by Adam Hastings very inspired (26 points in total). But they had to wait until the 44th minute to register their fourth, synonymous with the vital offensive bonus point for the future.
The young opener, last heir to the dynasty that provided his father Gavin and his uncle Scott in the XV thistle, celebrated his first tenure in a World Cup by scoring two tries (14th, 18th) to crown an XXL performance.
-Horne and Hastings score points-
His hinged partner George Horne (22nd, 44th, 59th) offered him a hat-trick, the fourth in the competition after those of Japanese winger Kotaro Matsushima against Russia, Argentine hooker Julian Montoya against Tonga and the South African scrumhalf Cobus Reinach against Canada.
Hastings Junior and Horne, the usual substitutes, were among the fourteen changes Gregor Townsend made for this first stop on the road to the quarterbacks.
They will probably not dislodge Finn Russell and Greig Laidlaw, the "stars" left to rest for Sunday's shock. But they at least proved to their coach that he could count on them.
The Bear, for their last match in the tournament, did not show much. They were overtaken by the pace given by the Scots, kings of running. They leave Japan without having managed to win a match.
Regardless, for Scotland, the essential is elsewhere: place in Japan!
© 2019 AFP