Scotland got their Rugby World Cup campaign back on track with a dominant 34-0 triumph over an awful Samoa team in Kobe on Monday.
The Scots were excellent in the first half and went 20-0 ahead at the interval via converted Sean Maitland and Greig Laidlaw tries, while Laidlaw added a penalty and Stuart Hogg kicked a drop goal.
Steve Jackson’s men, meanwhile, were quite frankly abysmal. Disorganised, passive and lacking any sort of idea of what they were supposed to be doing, the Samoans barely troubled the 2015 quarter-finalists.
They remained on the back foot in the second period as Scotland controlled possession and territory, leading to a penalty try for the Six Nations side. All that was needed for the ideal 80 minutes was the bonus-point score and it came via another penalty try.
After the disappointment of their display against Ireland, this was the ideal way to respond by the Scots. The intensity was prevalent as they regularly smashed their opponents’ forwards backwards while there was plenty of ambition in attack.
Conditions made free-flowing rugby difficult, however, and Laidlaw’s early penalty were the only points in the opening quarter.
Both teams were making a number of errors but Scotland were in the ascendancy and they were soon rewarded for their endeavour. Having overplayed slightly, the half-backs took control and three brilliantly executed kicks led to the first try as Russell found Maitland out wide to finish.
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— ITV Rugby (@ITVRugby) September 30, 2019
It was thoroughly deserved on the balance of play and, buoyed by that score, the Scotsmen soon touched down for the second time. Once again, the playmakers were prominent when their fly-half broke through and found Jamie Ritchie. The flanker then passed to Laidlaw and the scrum-half did the rest, evading Tim Nanai-Williams’ poor attempted tackle before crossing the whitewash.
The scrum-half converted for the second time for a 17-point buffer before that was increased to 20 after Hogg’s excellently taken drop goal.
Jackson needed a response from his charges but Samoa continued to struggle in the second period and it was only a matter of time until Scotland extended their lead.
They were far too good for the disappointing Pacific Islanders and duly moved closer to securing the bonus-point when they were awarded a penalty try.
Ed Fidow was yellow carded as a result of the indiscretion and it left the Samoans in disarray. To their credit, they battled and prevented their opponents taking advantage of the extra man.
It was only after Fidow returned did the Scots finally manage to score the crucial fourth try. Once more, Samoa’s – and the left wing’s – discipline was at the heart of it when Maitland went charging towards the line.
With the Saracens player using the wet conditions to dive early, Fidow slid in illegally with his knee to prevent him touching down. Unsurprisingly, another penalty try and yellow card, which resulted in a red, was forthcoming and ended a miserable night for Jackson’s men.
The scorers:
For Scotland:
Tries: Maitland, Laidlaw, Penalty try 2
Cons: Laidlaw 2
Pens: Laidlaw
Drop goal: Hogg
For Samoa:
Yellow Cards: Fidow 2
Scotland: 15 Stuart Hogg, 14 Darcy Graham, 13 Chris Harris, 12 Sam Johnson, 11 Sean Maitland, 10 Finn Russell, 9 Greig Laidlaw, 8 Blade Thomson, 7 Jamie Ritchie, 6 Magnus Bradbury, 5 Jonny Gray, 4 Grant Gilchrist, 3 Willem Nel, 2 Stuart McInally (c), 1 Allan Dell
Replacements: 16 Fraser Brown, 17 Gordon Reid, 18 Zander Fagerson, 19 Scott Cummings, 20 Ryan Wilson, 21 George Horne, 22 Adam Hastings, 23 Duncan Taylor
Samoa: 15 Tim Nanai-Williams, 14 Belgium Tuatagaloa, 13 Alapati Leiua, 12 Henry Taefu, 11 Ed Fidow, 10 Tusi Pisi, 9 Melani Matavao, 8 Jack Lam (c), 7 TJ Ioane, 6 Chris Vui, 5 Kane Le’aupepe, 4 Teofilo Paulo, 3 Michael Alaalatoa, 2 Ray Niuia, 1 Logovii Mulipola
Replacements: 16 Seilala Lam, 17 Paul Alo-Emile, 18 Jordan Lay, 19 Piula Faasalele, 20 Josh Tyrell, 21 Pele Cowley, 22 Ulupano Seuteni, 23 Kieron Fonotia
Referee: Pascal Gaüzère (France)
Assistant Referees: Nigel Owens (Wales), Federico Anselmi (Argentina)
TMO: Graham Hughes (England)
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