Scotland defeated Samoa 34-0 in a Pool A match at Kobe Misaki Stadium, Kobe City on September 30. The team held a 20-0 lead at the break.
Scotland faces Russia next on 9 October, while Samoa faces Japan on the 5th. Scotland lost to Ireland 27-3 in its first match, while Samoa beat Russia 34-9.
After two rounds, Japan tops the Pool with 9 points, followed by Ireland with 6. Scotland and Samoa have 5, while Russia is in 5th place with 0. Japan will need bonus point wins against Russia and Japan if they hope to advance to the Cup Quarterfinals. They do have the inside track on qualifying for the 2023 Rugby World Cup for a third-place Pool finish.
MATCH RECAP
After back and forth play to begin the match, a break by Darcy Graham had Scotland entering Samoa territory. Following an early tackle by Samoa, Greig Laidlaw slotted a penalty goal and gave Scotland a 3-0 lead.
Samoa then advanced to the Scotland 22-meters by Stuart Hogg relieved pressure with a clearance kick.
Both teams are having early issues in the match, with Samoa penalties and Scotland handling errors.
Scotland pushed their lead to 10-0 after a Finn Russell cross-kick to the left corner which found Maitland for a try in the left corner. Laidlaw then added the extras.
Shortly later, a Russell offload to Jamie Richie, had Greig Laidlaw finishing with a try to the left of the posts and then he converted.
Fullback Stuart Hogg added a drop goal from inside his own half, the first of his 71-test career, to improve the lead to 20-0 at the break.
Second Half
Scotland added a penalty try after a driving maul was collapsed by Ed Fidow in the 57th minute. This lead Fidow being issued a yellow card.
Scotland added a bonus point try after Sean Maitland dove in at the left corner with Samoa wing Ed Fidow dislodging the ball with his knee. After the TMO, referee Pascal Gauzere awarded a second penalty try, the first time two have been awarded in a Rugby World Cup match. This resulted in a red card for Fidow and a Scotland 34-0 win.
Samoa is the first team at this tournament to be shutout, and have now conceded more penalty tries, nine, than any team in RWC history.
Jonny Gray was named as the Player of the Match for Scotland.
Squads & Match Preview
Scotland: 1. Allan Dell 2. Stuart McInally (capt.) 3. Willem Nel 4. Grant Gilchrist 5. Jonny Gray 6. Magnus Bradbury 7. Jamie Richie 8. Blade Thomson 9. Greig Laidlaw 10. Finn Russell 11. Sean Maitland 12. Sam Johnson 13. Chris Harris 14. Darcy Graham 15. Stuart Hogg 16. Fraser Brown 17. Gordon Reid 18. Zander Fagerson 19. Scott Cummings 20. Ryan Wilson 21. George Harris 22. Adam Hastings 23. Duncan Taylor
Samoa: 1 Logovi Mulipola 2 Ray Niuia 3 Mike Alaalatoa 4 Filo Paulo 5 Kane Le’aupepe 6 Chris Vui 7 TJ Ioane 8 Jack Lam (capt.) 9 Melani Matavao 10 Tusi Pisi 11 Ed Fidow 12 Henry Taefu 13 Alapati Leiua 14 Belgium Tuatagaloa 15 Tim Nanai-Williams 16 Seilala Lam 17 Paul Alo-Emile 18 Jordan Lay 19 Piula Faasalele 20 Josh Tyrell 21 Pete Cowley 22 Ulupano Seuteni 23 Kieron Fonotia
Other Articles
DJCoil Rugby articles by Doug Coil are also available on Facebook. Other Social Media sites to follow or subscribe include Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube for interviews.
