Japanese rugby fans reacted philosophically after Scotland’s narrow 36-33 victory over Samoa on Saturday eliminated the “Brave Blossoms” from the World Cup.
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Vern Cotter’s side, returning to the World Cup knockout stages for the first time since 2007, have struggled to start confidently in each match of the tournament.
Scotland need a victory to join pool winners South Africa in the quarter-finals at the expense of Eddie Jones’ men.
The result means Scotland finish runners-up to South Africa in Pool B.
The Scotland captain had kept Scotland in the game until his try with five penalties and contributed a match total of 26 points – a personal Test best for him. If you’ve seen them play at this World Cup they’ve been playing well.
“I’m really happy to have got it and it’s a big milestone for me, but during my time in the team I have realised it is about the team first and the individual second, and that’s the kind of squad we are”. “But we adapted and got through in the end”.
“We just have to improve”, said the big lock. We’ve to get our game right and we have to be adaptable to how they’re going to play. “It was our main goal and we expected to make it. You have to have those goals”.
“My players are desperate to play in this match”, France coach Philippe Saint-Andre says.
“Yes, of course we can – you have to have self-belief and this team does”, said Maitland when asked whether he agreed with Nel that Scotland could beat Australia and go on to win the tournament.
The Scots know it is likely to be win or bust on Saturday. During the build-up last week, the 6ft 10in second-row said he might have to be pushed out on to the pitch by his team-mates to take his moment in a spotlight he usually prefers to avoid.
Young Cornish winger Jack Nowell, 22, ran in a treble of his own, but it was hard to get excited with England’s elimination at the hands of Australia and Wales already confirmed. While anything can happen on the day, it would be a massive shock for Scotland to get past either of those two.
“There were times in the game that we were down”.
Cotter’s worst injury fears appear not to have materialised after the Kiwi named Finn Russell, John Hardie, Ross Ford and Matt Scott in his starting XV. Despite their last-eight berth apparently hanging by a thread, the Scots played as if they were always confident of turning things around – and once they gained the lead late on it was one they never looked likely to relinquish.
“Towards the end we gave away too many penalties”, Betham said. It was just about waiting to see who would be ready and who wouldn’t. “I think that what’s changed is the will and the self-belief”. “If we put in a first-half performance like that the game will be over. We’re enjoying the position we are in and we want to put in a good performance this weekend”. We can do something special this week. They face a Samoa side with nothing to lose after disappointing losses to South Africa and Japan. The Glasgow boys know each other well and have been in the play-offs before. “For us as a team that’s what it’s about – worldwide rugby’s a tough place and we have to adapt slightly quicker”.
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“But the guys have shared a lot of time together and a lot of things have grown and developed”. But it’s not about me.
