Laidlaw saves Scots from Samoa

Scotland were given an almighty scare by Samoa in their pivotal Pool B match in Newcastle, escaping with a 36-33 win thanks to a late Greig Laidlaw try to secure their spot in the quarter-finals. The victory ends Japanese hopes of making the knock-outs despite the likelihood of them finishing with a 3-1 record.

It was clear that Samoa were up for the game from the kickoff. Tusi Pisi knocked over the first points within five minutes, and though Laidlaw evening things up with a kick of his own, it was Pisi who finished off a wide ball to dive over in the corner and shock the favorites, with his sideline conversion sailing over to add some extra sting for the Scots.

Sloppy passing deep in their own end cost Samoa a try almost immediately, with Tommy Seymour picking up the loose ball to touch down, but the Manu came roaring back with Manu Leiataua finding a gap after a quick tap from Kahn Fotuali’i. Laidlaw scraped back with a penalty, but another try to Rey Lee-Lo, enjoying a scintillating match in the midfield, restored the converted try lead for the Manu.

Laidlaw and Pisi exchanged goals before Scotland piled over from a rolling maul, with John Hardie the man on the ball. The draw didn’t last long, however as Pisi added his third penalty goal just before the half to give Samoa a narrow lead at the interval.

Whatever Vern Cotter said in the change room seemed to inspire his team as they scrapped their way back into it following the break. Laidlaw hit two penalties to finally put the Scots in the lead for the first time in the 53rd minute.

A fierce battle continued but it was captain Laidlaw once again who at last crossed the line, throwing a cheeky dummy to jink in over the line. His conversion brought his individual tally to 26 points and handed Scotland a comforting two score lead with only five minutes to play.

The Manu kept coming, however, and a try for reserve hooker Motu Matu’u made things tense in the final moments, but Scotland held on for the win much to the relief of their fans. Samoa have reached the end of their World Cup journey, while Scotland now move on to face Australia at Twickenham next Sunday.

SAMOA 33
Tries – T. Pisi (10), M. Leiataua (14), R. Lee-Lo (21), M. Matu’u (78)
Cons – T. Pisi (11), P. Fa’apale (78)
Pens – T. Pisi 3 (5, 29, 38)

SCOTLAND 36
Tries – T. Seymour (12), J. Hardie (32), G. Laidlaw (74)
Cons – G. Laidlaw 3 (13, 33, 75)
Pens – G. Laidlaw 5 (9, 20, 25, 51, 53)
Yellow cards – R. Wilson (28)

SAMOA
1 S. Taulafo (V. Afatia 59) 2 M. Leiataua (M. Matu’u 73) 3 C. Johnston (A. Perenise 59) 4 F. Paulo 5 K. Thompson (F. Levave 29) 6 M. Fa’asavalu 7 J. Lam 8 A. Fa’osiliva (V. Tuilagi 59) 9 K. Fotuali’i (capt.) (V. Afemai 79) 10 T. Pisi (P. Fa’apale 71) 11 F. Autagavaia (K. Pisi 71) 12 R. Lee-Lo 13 G. Pisi 14 P. Perez 15 T. Nanai-Williams

SCOTLAND
1 A. Dickinson (G. Reid 23-28) 2 R. Ford (F. Brown 65) 3 W. Nel 4 R. Gray 5 J. Gray (T. Swinson 62) 6 R. Wilson (J. Strauss 53) 7 J. Hardie 8 D. Denton 9 G. Laidlaw (capt.) 10 F. Russell 11 T. Seymour 12 M. Scott (P. Horne 76) 13 M. Bennett 14 S. Maitland 15 S. Hogg (S. Lamont 70)