Scotland made it two wins from two at WXV 2 on Saturday as they edged past Japan and will now be playing Australia next weekend in a match that effectively becomes the final.
In 30 degree heat at the Athlone Sports Stadium in was always going to be tricky to get into a flow and the Japanese made it so, but the Scots got through 19-13 to add to their 19-0 win over Italy in week one.
Australia have beaten Wales and South Africa now with bonus points and are top of the table with Scotland second heading into Saturday’s showdown.
The match report…
Scotland got off to a perfect start when Francesca McGhie drifted infield off her wing and burst through the Japanese defence to score her eighth try for her country. Stand-off Helen Nelson converted and it was 7-0 after three minutes.
After 16 minutes a neat dink kick over the top by Japan scrum-half Moe Tsukui set winger Rinka Matsuda away and only an excellent cover tackle – and penalty win – from winger Rhona Lloyd stopped her from scoring.
The first drinks break in the heat then came and Scotland would have been keen to rediscover the dominance they had early on.
As the half hour mark app roached, the Scots were defending relatively well, but were not being accurate enough in attack.
And Japan took advantage when they scored an unconverted try after 28 minutes. A kick by the was kept in play by Lloyd and Japan pounced, a couple of phases later No.8 Seina Saito powering over to make it 7-5.
Five minutes later another kick through caused Scotland issues and full- back Chloe Rollie had to be alive to stop Matsuda from scoring. Saito was then held up over the line and Japan were the team on the front foot.
Just like last year versus Japan and last week against Italy, Scotland then found a crucial second try just before half-time. Good hands set up young back -row Alex Stewart and she went over for her first international try.
It was unconverted and it was 12- 5 at the interval.
Scotland could not build on that early in the second half and, in the 52nd minute, six changes were made to try and bring some energy.
It was Japan who scored next though, stand-off Ayasa Otsuka kicking a penalty in the 57th minute to make it 12-8.
Leia Brebner-Holden then came on at scrum-half and her pace of delivery helped get Scotland’s attack going and they found the edge and Lloyd went over from short range. Centre Meryl Smith converted for 19-8 while Lloyd now has 25 tries for her country.
Japan were not done yet though and a try from captain Iroha Nagata, which was unconverted, made it 19-13 in the 66th minute.
That set up a nervy last 14 minutes with Scotland looking to secure the win and maybe get a four try bonus point. They got the former, but not the latter and they will just be pleased to have got out of this unscathed.
What they said…
Scotland head coach Bryan Easson: “It was disappointing. A good win, but not up to the standards we set ourselves now.
“In any sporting environment the most important thing is to win, so that is the thing we are most pleased with, but it was not up to the standards that we set ourselves and we know we can perform better than that.
“Japan are a really difficult side to play against, they put pressure on you at the breakdown and are good in that area and they keep a hold of the ball a lot so we defended a lot.”
Scotland captain Rachel Malcolm: “That could have gone either way, Japan were outstanding.
“We have played them a number of times and by far that was the best performance they have put in against us, they really took it to us.
“They brought great physicality to things, but credit to my team too for sticking in and getting the job done. We got the win and I am super proud of the girls for sticking at it.”
Three things that caught the eye…
- Meryl ‘she plays where she wants’ Smith – In the last few months she ha now played 10, 12, 13, 15 and come off the bench for Scotland and she seems to make an impact whatever number is on her back. Played 13 here and was one of the few players who looked like they had time on the ball in a frantic game.
- Making six subs at once – Back in the day Scotland would not have been able to do that or would have been hesitant to do so, but the way the game was going and the heat called for it on this occasion and it just shows the growing strength of the overall squad. Selection for Australia is going to be interesting.
- Setting high standards – What a good place it is to be in that Scotland are winning games regularly now, but they are not settling for that they are being critical of their performances are always wanting more. They know they will need to perform much better versus Australia, but they certainly have it in them.
What’s next…
The big one versus Australia at the Athlone Sports Stadium next Saturday, October 12 as Scotland look to retain the WXV 2 title Japan (4pm UK time on Saturday and live on BBC iPlayer and RugbyPass TV).
Scotland women’s squad and scorers in the WXV 2 clash with Japan
15 Chloe Rollie (Ealing Trailfinders)
14 Rhona Lloyd (Les Lionnes du Stade Bordelais) (one try)
13 Meryl Smith (Bristol Bears) (one conversion)
12 Lisa Thomson (Ealing Trailfinders)
11 Francesca McGhie (Leicester Tigers) (one try)
10 Helen Nelson (Loughborough Lightning) (one conversion)
9 Caity Mattinson (Ealing Trailfinders)
1 Leah Bartlett (Leicester Tigers)
2 Lana Skelson (Bristol Bears)
3 Christine Belisle (Loughborough Lightning)
4 Louise McMillan (Saracens)
5 Sarah Bonar (Harlequins)
6 Rachel Malcolm (Loughborough Lightning, C)
7 Alex Stewart (Corstorphine Cougars) (one try)
8 Jade Konkel (Harlequins)
Subs all used apart from Lucia Scott
16 Elis Martin (Loughborough Lightning)
17 Anne Young (Loughborough Lightning)
18 Lisa Cockburn (Gloucester-Hartpury)
19 Eva Donaldson (Leicester Tigers)
20 Evie Gallagher (Bristol Bears)
21 Leia Brebner-Holden (Gloucester-Hartpury/Cheltenham Tigers)
22 Emma Orr (Bristol Bears)
23 Lucia Scott (Hartpury University/Gloucester Hartpury)
Leah Bartlett and Christine Belisle are pictured defending versus Japan, thanks to World Rugby
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