Italy get the boot as pitiless Paterson preserves perfect kicking record

Scotland 18 Italy 16

Some of the world’s leading marksmen, such as Jonny Wilkinson and Dan Carter, have struggled with their kicking in this tournament, even using the weight of the ball as a reason for their foibles.

But the remorseless Paterson made a mockery of those excuses on Saturday, unapologetically nailing six penalties out of six — many from the diagonal and all under pressure — in the 18-16 Pool C win over Italy to keep the Scottish dream of World Cup glory alive in France.

He has not missed in 15 shots at goal in the World Cup, and it is for that reason that Frank Hadden’s men head into the last eight with the genuine belief a semi-final spot is there for the taking.

Bitterness and seething resent-ment at an opportunity lost were the chief emotions among the Italy squad.

David Bortolussi, who booted 11 points, had the chance to win the game for the Italians, but the full-back’s 76th-minute penalty drifted wide and with it disappeared his country’s hopes.

Italy number eight Sergio Parisse said: “This is the biggest disappointment I have had as a player.

“It makes you angry to lose, and to lose by one or two points leaves you with a bitter feeling.”

That feeling of bitterness extended to centre Gonzalo Canale.

“Having been so close and having missed a couple of penalties, you leave with a bitter taste in your mouth,” added the Clermont-Auvergne midfielder.

“We didn’t think for a single minute that we couldn’t win this match, but we haven’t.”

Based on their group performances, Italy quite frankly did not deserve a place in the quarter-finals, no matter how gutsy their effort was in St Etienne.

After being steamrollered by New Zealand in their opener, they scraped past group minnows Romania 24-18 and Portugal 31-5, failing to claim bonus points in the process.

They would have been hoping to prove in this tournament that they were worthy of a place on world rugby’s top table, but that is still open to question.

Scotland scorers: Pens: Paterson 6.

SCOTLAND: R. Lamont, S. Lamont, Webster, Dewey, Paterson, Parks, Blair, Kerr, Ford, E. Murray, Hines, Hamilton, White, Hogg, Taylor.

Replacements: Southwell for R. Lamont (25), Henderson for Dewey (60), Cusiter for Blair (72), Smith for Kerr (65), MacLeod for Hamilton (72), Brown for Hogg (70).

Italy scorers: Tries: Troncon. Cons: Bortolussi. Pens: Bortolussi 3.

ITALY: Bortolussi, Robertson, Canale, M. Bergamasco, Masi, Pez, Troncon, Perugini, Festuccia, Castrogiovanni, Dellape, del Fava, Sole, M. Bergamasco, Parisse.

Replacements: Galon for Masi (75), Lo Cicero for Perugini (49), Ongaro for Festuccia (54).

Ref: J Kaplan (South Africa).