Flower of Scotland was belted out with as much gusto as the Blaydon Races has ever been here, the Gallowgate End abuzz for Samoa’s sivi tau.
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Laidlaw’s kicking kept Scotland in touch and his boot took his team ahead in a tighter second half.
The ploy failed twice as the Scottish forwards were penalised, and Laidlaw eventually adopted the more sensible approach and slotted over a kick to tie the scores at 26-26. However, this was not a game that stuck to the script.
But Laidlaw insists his side will not be overawed by the task in hand. As it turned out, his strategically cute planning was absolutely necessary.
If they had taken the shot at goal instead, Samoa would most likely be celebrating.
“We got a rollicking for straying off the plan”.
Scotland placed second in the pool, behind South Africa, and will play the loser of the later Australia vs. Wales match later at Twickenham.
Put simply, Scotland had to win to avoid giving Japan the chance to qualify by winning at Gloucester today against the USA.
“We just need to try to make sure that we’re able to win these close games”, Johnston added.
“When you give away penalties you can’t win test matches”. Pisi’s penalty put his side back in front.
The wing juggled with his surprise present, but got the ball down before any Samoan could argue.
But instead Scotland made light of their numerical disadvantage when John Hardie was barged over for a try which Laidlaw converted to once again bring the favourites within a point at 24-23.
This was the kind of rugby of which Kevin Keegan would have approved during his colourful stint at St James’.
Sakaria Taulafo thought he had scored Samoa’s fourth try, but while the score was ruled out by the TMO because of a few shirt pulling, referee Jaco Peyper pulled play back for a Samoan penalty that Pisi slotted over.
However, Scotland only found themselves behind momentarily as they were gifted a try after the restart.
The greatest loser at this moment will be England, the hosts who has not made it to the quarter-final.
“We were concerned but we weren’t anxious”, Laidlaw admitted.
If there was one slightly negative aspect of Laidlaw’s towering performance, it was his decision-making early in the second half when the Scots still trailed by three points.
Gordon Strachan’s side saw hopes of reaching a first major tournament in 18 years crumble on Thursday night when they were held to a 2-2 draw with Poland at Hampden.
Lucky2BHere kindly donated two devices and these were passed over by Commonwealth Games Scotland on behalf of the charity and the global governing body, World Rugby.
Samoa scored through Tusi Pisi, Ma’atulimanu Leiataua and Rey Lee-Lo in a thrilling first half. Replacements: M Matu’u (Wellington Hurricanes), V Afatia (Agen), A Perenise (Bristol), F Levave (Wellington Lions), V Tuilagi (Carcassonne), V Afemai (Manu 7s), P Faapale (Manu 7s), K Pisi (Northampton).
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Scotland: Hogg (Lamont 71), Maitland, Bennett, Scott (Horne 76), Seymour, Russell, Laidlaw; Dickinson, Ford (Brown 66), Nel, R Gray, J Gray (Swinson 63), Wilson (Strauss 53), Hardie, Denton.
