Scotland overcome gutsy Japan

Scotland 32 Japan 11

Scotland overcame some stiff Japanese resistance to win their opening match of the World Cup in Townsville.

The scoreline did not flatter Scotland, for they showed that they have the physical reserves to subdue spirited opposition and they finished by far the fresher.

But the problems they had in breaking Japan down for much of the match will worry coach Ian McGeechan as he contemplates coming encounters with the USA, France and Fiji.

The Scots began with some robust forward play as they brushed aside the intimidated Japanese in the opening stages and set up the opening try for Chris Paterson after just four minutes.

The rolling mauls were tight and well-controlled, although a brief loss of possession proved the key element as the off-balance Japanese defenders were out-flanked and Paterson capitalised on the overlap.

However, Japan bounced back and as they steadily found their self-belief they were able to disrupt the Scottish forward momentum. Indeed, only some poor handling from debutant scrum-half Takashi Tsuji and fly-half Keiji Hirose spoiled some good attacking opportunities.

Hirose kicked one penalty but his side were made to pay for the errors when, from a burst started by Simon Taylor, Bryan Redpath released lock Stuart Grimes down the blindside to extend the lead.

Paterson was unable to convert and it was not long before the budding Japanese revival turned into a fully-fledged rebellion.

Takeomo Ito sparked a move with a thunderous run through the middle and it took a good tackle by fly-half Gordon Ross to stop lock Adam Parker in the corner.

Chris Paterson failed to complete what looked like a certain try when he could not link with his support just after the half-hour mark, but the close call proved to be a false sign of promise for the Scots.

Japan lifted their game and surged forward and went within a few metres of scoring twice as half-time beckoned. First Hirotoki Onozawa then opposite winger Daisuke Ohata stopped just short, and Hirose put a penalty just wide on the whistle.

The second half began with Scotland on the defensive and Japan pushing hard, although there were signs that Scotland were finding some of their strong form from the opening 10 minutes.

A mistake with the line just a few metres away cost them a good chance and Japan were straight onto the attack themselves.

The most exciting moment of the match – it brought the 19,170 fans in Diary Farmers Stadium to their feet – came just after Japan coach Shogo Mukai replaced both Hirose and Tsuji with New Zealand-born Andy Miller and Yuji Sonada respectively.

The move paid off handsomely, as both played a role in a try by Onozawa on the right-hand side to make it 15-11.

A swift move down the left a few moments later nearly brought Kenny Logan a try, but the winger just knocked on as he chased down his own kick-through.

Japan continued to defend resolutely but as time slipped away so did their energy and in the 65th minute the superb Simon Taylor thundered down the right before flipping a pass inside for Paterson to score and make it 20-11.

With the match effectively over Taylor claimed a try of his own when he put himself in a good position on the right, and Simon Danielli wrapped things up with a try in the last few minutes.