Scots put quick stop to Japan’s momentum
GLOUCESTER, ENGLAND— Scotland made no mistake in its Rugby World Cup opener against Japan, scoring five tries in a second-half onslaught to win 45-10 on Wednesday.
Centre Mark Bennett led the way with two, while flanker John Hardie, right winger Tommy Seymour and flyhalf Finn Russell got the others.
Elsewhere, Australia struggled to put away a spirited Fiji side playing its second game in five days, winning 28-13 mainly thanks to a quick brace of first-half tries from No. 8 David Pocock at Cardiff’s Millennium Stadium.
And in London, a bonus-point victory was the best thing France took away from Olympic Stadium in struggling to put away a limited Romania side 38-11.
Japan shocked the world of rugby last weekend by beating the Springboks 34-32, and after 15 minutes the Brave Blossoms led 7-6 thanks to No. 8 Amanaki Mafi’s try.
But that was as close as they got to beating the Scots for the first time, as the Japanese lost some inspiration when their best performer, Mafi, had to be carried off and they tired from only a four-day turnaround.
The Scots carved gaps in midfield and punched holes through a Japanese defence that resembled wilting blossoms.
Many of the fans at Gloucester’s compact Kingsholm Stadium were decked out in cherry-and-white jerseys — the local colours and Japan’s — and most of the support was for the underdogs.
But Japan wasn’t sharp as it was against South Africa, and kept giving away penalties. Laidlaw kicked over four penalties from five attempts to put them 12-7 ahead at the interval.
The tries from Hardie and Bennett from attacks down the left flank, gave Scotland the cushion of a 24-10 lead after Mafi went off injured.
Japan kept attacking, refusing to kick penalties.
The game was effectively over when Seymour intercepted a careless pass and ran almost the length of the field for a converted try for 31-10 with 15 minutes to play.