Japan run out of gas as Scotland cruise to victory

LONDON: Scotland brought Japan’s dream Rugby World Cup start back down to earth yesterday as they ran in five secondhalf tries for a 45-10 win over the Brave Blossoms who were clearly tiring after their epic victory against the Springboks.

The ever-reliable boot of Scotland captain Greig Laidlaw nudged the Scots to a half-time lead of 12-7, before the game opened up and Scotland’s backs started to run riot.

In the early exchanges, Scotland stuck to a clear game plan, kicking the ball deep into Japan’s territory, and it paid off with scrumhalf Laidlaw kicking Scotland six points up within the first 10 minutes.

But it was Japan that got the first try, against the run of play, when a textbook driving maul from a line-out allowed No8 Amanaki Mafi to crash over. Veteran fullback Ayumu Goromaru added the extras to put Japan narrowly in front.

It proved to be a short-lived lead with the Laidlaw’s kicking punishing Japanese errors.

Two barnstorming runs by the hulking Mafi rattled the Scots when play resumed after the break, and it was a real blow for the Japanese when he was taken off injured but a penalty by Goromaru closed the game to 12-10

The Scots regained composure and a neat inside pass sent winger Sean Lamont scything through. Centre Matt Scott was hauled down just before the line and from the resulting ruck flanker John Hardie, playing in only his third game for Scotland, got over in the corner.

The Scots’ attack then started firing against a Japanese side clearly exhausted from their 34-32 victory over twice-winners South Africa on Saturday.

Fullback Stuart Hogg danced through the line to open the way for centre Mark Bennett to cross for Scotland’s second and the game was settled when Tommy Seymour caught an interception and ran the length of the pitch to score.

Bennett then side-stepped his way through to grab a bonuspoint-securing fourth try and Russell, who had been an attacking threat all day, rounded off a satisfying day with the fifth.

“Happy days with that result – but that is just the start hopefully for this team,” said Laidlaw.

“We talked at length about playing for 80 minutes and we have done that today. I thought we were outstanding for the duration. They said if they were in the game at half-time they could take us, so we were determined and outstanding.

“Credit to Japan though, they were awesome against South Africa and really tough opponents again today. That win against South Africa blew the group wide open and meant it was important for us to win today.”

Meanwhile, Australia got their campaign off to an winning start with a 28-13 win against Fiji but they will be frustrated they could not claim a four-try bonus point after dominating most of the match.

Fiji started brightly but became ragged in the face of some well-disciplined Australian mauling that carried David Pocock over the line twice, with Bernard Foley weighing in with a pair of penalties to ensure a comfortable 18-3 lead at the break.

Sekope Kepu blasted through soon after the restart and it looked set for a big Wallaby win, but Fiji fought back and scored a try through Ben Volavola as Australia lost their way.

Attention in Pool A now switches to Saturday, when England and Wales meet at Twickenham. – Reuters