Rugby World Cup: The real Scotland stood up against Samoa, says coach Townsend
- Scots come back after their limp performance against Ireland to earn bonus point in pool A that could prove crucial
- Samoa blanked for the first time in 30 World Cup matches with Scotland taking on Russia next before Japan showdown
Scotland’s limp defeat to Ireland in their World Cup opener prompted questions about the squad’s heart and desire, but head coach Gregor Townsend said his players had proved their mettle in Monday’s bonus-point win over Samoa.
Japan’s stunning win over the Irish on Saturday had left Scotland with an uphill task to qualify for the quarter-finals but they cleared the first hurdle with the 34-0 win over the Samoans, the first time the Pacific islanders had been blanked in 30 World Cup matches.
First-half tries from Sean Maitland and Greg Laidlaw set them on their way, but Scotland had to dig deep after the break, their pressure finally paying off as referee Pascal Gauzere awarded them two penalty tries.
Townsend, himself the target of heavy criticism after the Ireland defeat, was proud that the real Scotland had stood up.
“That was a true reflection of who we are and what we’re capable of, and what playing for Scotland means for these players,” he said.
“That was a tough challenge. They had to rise up and face knowing that if they underperformed tonight we were out of the World Cup.