Video - Scotland's full press conference after RWC pool exit
Gregor Townsend insists Scotland can recover from their World Cup heartache – but knows they must learn from the mistakes that cost them in Japan.
The Dark Blues crashed out at the pool stage for only the second time in the competition’s history after a 28-21 loss to the hosts in Yokohama.
It was a another painful conclusion to a campaign that got off to a dismal start with the 27-3 thrashing from Ireland.
The Scots recovered from that huge dent to their confidence to nil both Samoa and Russia but their defence struggled to contain a rampant Brave Blossoms attack that for 45 minutes refused to relent with their ceaseless surges.
The hosts scored four tries in that period to kill off the Scots’ hopes of reaching the quarter-finals as they instead set up their own knock-out clash with South Africa in Tokyo next Sunday.
But it is now back to the drawing board for Townsend and his side after a miserable 2019.
However, the head coach – whose side finished fifth in this year’s Guinness Six Nations – said: “There’s a lot more in this team.
“Experiences are what make you as a group and how you react to those experiences.
“It was a unique situation we were in tonight. We always knew it was going to be a challenge playing against Japan given our short turnaround from the Russia game.
“We had the team and we had the ability at the start of that game to go on and win it by the necessary amount of points.
It wasn't to be for Scotland, who were outplayed by a magnificent Japan.
Here's how we rated the players. #RWC2019 #japan https://t.co/Q6bqaoPHDz
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) October 13, 2019
“That we didn’t is hugely disappointing. We have to learn from that. We don’t get another turn at the World Cup for four years but we’ve got to improve as we get to next tournament which is the Six Nations in three months’ time.”
The build-up to the match was overshadowed by the threat of Typhoon Hagibis, with the clash at Yokohama’s International Stadium only getting the green light eight hours before kick-off.
But Townsend refused to use that as an excuse for his side’s defeat.
It looked promising for the Dark Blues when Finn Russell put them ahead early but Japan hit back with Kenki Fukuoka’s double, plus scores from Kotaro Matsushima and Keita Inagaki.
"Defining moment for Japan. The moment beating Tier 1 opposition is no longer regarded an upset!" #rwc2019 https://t.co/QPOTJxDv5D
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) October 13, 2019
Scotland refused to go down without a fight but second-half scores from forwards WP Nel and Zander Fagerson were not enough.
“The players acted very professionally,” said Townsend. “We always believed the game was going to go ahead. Yesterday’s training was compromised. We knew this week was going to be a challenge.
“We are disappointed. We look at the game from our point of view, we were disappointed we didn’t win.
“We started well and then we didn’t see the ball for the rest of the first half.
Japan get the win in an incredible performance #JPNvSCO #RWC2019 pic.twitter.com/ZTlunoovxE
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) October 13, 2019
“We conceded two soft tries and we made too many mistakes. It made it difficult to get the result we were looking for.
“The boys put in a tremendous shift in the second half, but we didn’t do enough in that last 20 minutes to get the win.
“It’s a huge blow not to reach the knock-out stages, we came here with high aspirations.
“Getting out of the pool stages was the first part of that.
“We have worked incredibly hard over the last few months so we are all hugely disappointed.”
Comments on RugbyPass
No Islam says it must rule where it stands Thus it is to be deleted from this planet Earth
18 Go to commentsThis team probably does not beat the ABs sadly Not sure if BPA will be available given his signing for Force but has to enter consideration. Very strong possibility of getting schooled by the AB props. Advantage AB. Rodda/Skelton would be a tasty locking combination - would love to see how they get on. Advantage Wallabies. Backrow a risk of getting out hustled and outmuscled by ABs. Will be interesting to see if the Blues feast on the Reds this weekend the way they did the Brumbies we are in big trouble at the breakdown. Great energy, running and defence but goalkicking/general kicking/passing quality in the halves bothers me enormously. SA may have won the World Cup for a lot of the tournament without a recognised goalkicker but Pollard in the final made a difference IMO. Injuries and retirements leave AB stocks a bit lighter but still stronger. 12 and 13 ABs shade it (Barret > Paisami, Ione = Ikitau, arguably) Interesting clash of styles on the wings - Corey Toole running around Caleb Clark and Caleb running over the top of Toole. Reece vs Koro probably the reverse. Pretty even IMO. 15s Kelleway = Love See advantage to ABs man for man, but we are not obviously getting slaughtered anywhere which makes a nice change. Think talent wise we are pretty even and if our cohesion and teamwork is better than the ABs then its just about doable.
11 Go to commentsCompletely agree. More friday night games would be a hit. RFU to make sure every club has a floodlit pitch. Club opens again Saturday to welcome touch / tag. Minis and youths on Sunday
3 Go to comments1.97m and 105Kg? Proportionately, probably skinnier than me at 1.82 and 82kilos. He won’t survive against the big guys at that weight.
55 Go to commentsThe value he brought to the crusaders as an assistant was equal to what he got out of being there. He reflected not only on the team culture but also the credit he attributed to the rugby community. Such experience shouldn’t be overlooked.
5 Go to commentsGood luck Aussie
11 Go to commentssmith at 9 / mounga 10 / laumape 12 / fainganuku 14
54 Go to commentsBar the injuries, it’s pretty much their top team …
2 Go to commentsDon’t disagree with much of this but it appears you forgot Rodda and Beale, who started at the Force on the weekend.
11 Go to commentsExcept for the injured Zach Gallagher this would be Saders best forward pack for the season. Blackadder needs to stay at 7, for all of Christies tackling he is not dominant and offers very little else. McNicholfullback is maybe a good option, Fihaki not really upto it, there was a reason Burke played there last year. Maybe Havilli to 2nd five McLeod to wing. Need a strong winger on 1 side to compliment Reece
1 Go to commentsTo me TJ is clearly the best 9 in the competition right now but he's also a proven player off the bench, there's few playmaking players who can come off the bench as calm and settled as he is, Beauden can, TJ can and I doubt any of the scrumhalves in contention can, if they want to experiment with new 9s I want him on the bench ready to step in if they crumble under the pressure. The Boks put their best front row on the bench, I'd like to see us take a similar approach, the Hurricanes have been doing similar things with players like Kirifi.
54 Go to commentsROG has better chance to win a WC if he starts training and make himself eligible as a player. He won’t make the Ireland squad but I reckon he may get close with Namibia (needs to improve his Afrikaans) or Portugal. Both sides had 1000:1 odds to win the RWC in 2023 which is an improvement on ROG’s odds of winning a RWC as a coach. Unlike Top 14 teams, national teams can’t go shopping and buy the best players - you work with the available talent pool and turn them into world beaters.
5 Go to commentsthat backline nope that backline is terrible why would you have sevu Reece when he’s not even top 5 wingers in the comp why have Blackadder when there’s better players no Scott barret isn’t an automatic the guy is more of a liability than anything why have him there when you have samipeni who’s far far better
54 Go to commentsAh, good to find you Nick. Agree with everything about Cale. So much to like about his game
55 Go to commentsNot too bad. Questions at 6, lock and HB for me. The ABs will be a lot stronger once Jordan and Roigard return. Also, work needs to be made to secure Frizzell back for next season and maybe also Mo’unga; they’re just wasting time playing in japan
54 Go to commentsOn the title, i wonder for many of those people it is a case something like a belief in working smarter, not harder?
1 Go to commentsForget Sotutu. One of those whose top level is Super Rugby. Id take a punt on Wallace Sititi Finau ahead of Glass body Blackadder.
54 Go to commentsI’m a pensioner so I've been around a bit. My opinion of SBW is he is an elite athlete and a great New Zealander and roll model. He has been to the top and knows what he's talking about. To all the negative comments regarding SBW the typical New Zealand way, cut that tall poppy down.
18 Go to commentsI'm not listening to a guy moralise over others when this is the guy who walked out mid season on Canterbury RLFC when he had a contract with them, what a hypocrite. All the Kiwis sticking up for this unprincipled individual because they can't accept justified criticism, he has zero credibility or integrity. Those praising him are a joke.
18 Go to commentsI’d put Finau at 6 instead of Blackadder but that’s the only change I’d make. Can’t wait to see who Razor picks.
54 Go to comments