Half-Time Report: Greig Laidlaw kicks Scotland ahead against Japan

Japan came roaring out of the blocks at the start of the second half with Mafi rampaging his way into Scottish territory. When we got into their 22 we were not clinical enough. “They were too good for us”.

However, Scotland had history on their side when it came to taking on the Asian champions.

“We decided to also give Willie, Damian, Frans and Schalk Brits, who was impressive in the second half against Argentina in Buenos Aires last month, a well-deserved run this week to bring some energy and unpredictability to the team”.

However, the defence was solid and it is a really good start in a pool thrown wide open by South Africa’s loss to Japan at the weekend.Roll on Leeds and the United States of America…

De Villiers has been widely blamed in the South African press for the team’s stunning 34-32 defeat by minnows Japan in their opening game, with reports saying he did not follow orders from the coaching box in Brighton.

“I’ve played him cold in a situation like this before, against the All Blacks when he had been out for a long time, and he proved to be the man of the match”, added Meyer.

“I thought we traded blows in the first half”.

“The clear message from Vern (Cotter) and the coaches at the break was, “Don’t panic”. We talked at length about playing for 80 minutes and we have done that today.

Scotland now top Pool B with a one-point lead over Japan.

The Scots did not make the same error as Springboks skipper Jean de Villiers as Laidlaw opted to go for goal with their first penalty rather than kick for touch.

“The last few days have been a time for retrospection and the team this week has been selected specifically with Samoa in mind, as we know we’ll have to be at our very best to succeed”, Meyer said.

“But there was absolutely no place for complacency in our squad”.

He said: “There was constant pressure on the game. We’d like to make those points stick”.

Asked if the four-day turnaround from their victory over South Africa had had any effect, Jones insisted he would not consider it as a factor. Matt Scott’s attractive offload allowed Sean Lamont to break ground and while their opponents were able to halt the Scots before Stuart Hogg could finish off, they were helpless as Hardie waited patiently for his chance in the corner.

At New Zealand’s North Harbour Stadium in 2011, South Africa scraped through a brutal encounter 13-5, advancing to the quarterfinals.

There is also a new halfbacks pairing in Handre Pollard and Fourie du Preez.

“It’s been tough but I can’t wait to get out on the pitch, where I belong”.

There was to be no repeat of Japan’s heroics against South Africa as they were beaten 45-10 by Scotland at Kingsholm.