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
Oh god please help these loosers get over it!!!! You lost. Doesn't matter how many times you dummies are gonna analyse the game, you still lost and we are still Rygby World Champions….get over it, you lost.
79 Go to commentsThe next Willie le Roux. SA are made not to use him.
2 Go to commentsDan has always been as controversial as tea with milk so we were never going to get any definitive answer. So DMac for the win.
8 Go to commentsGoodness. When are the All Blacks and New Zealand commentators going to stop complaining about how they could have won and just try to win next time 😂. In South Africa if you lose you get up and try again. Get over it.
79 Go to commentsHonestly, it doesn’t matter a whole lot. RSA has a ton of experienced talent in its leadership group. I am more interested in who is the new 8 man/8 men and the younger props. The captain may change but the system does not
1 Go to comments“See you in the final” can mean whatever you want it to mean. To me it means that 12 Irish rugby players are a bunch of poeses. See y’all in Pretoria.
131 Go to commentsBen, you are one of the most arrogant and self opionated rugby critics I have ever come across (next to Keohane). I hoped that after SA beating the best ranked teams in the world on their way to the WC (something not done before) that you might have the grace to admit that this is a special team that deserved the accolades coming their way. You have no humility and as has been been already pointed out, merely a troll to attract audience numbers. Count me out in the future.
79 Go to comments‘War of independence’. Such a grand name for a few skirmishes. Where were all the great battles of this ‘war’ ? Smith got goosebumps as he was being emotionally manipulated, another mushroom.
1 Go to commentsFor all those disputing the veracity of Etzebeth’s very public recollections of the Irish players’ comments, I have one question: should we be holding our collective breath in anticipation of a barrage of strenuous denials from the Irish squad? Then again, perhaps not…
131 Go to comments> If the game of rugby is to grow globally, then the rugby Sth Africa play needs to be exterminated. Their performances at World Cup ‘19 & ‘23 were the antithesis to what the game should be. If the World Cup final is the grand spectacle of the game, please no more having to endure the drudgery and insipid ‘style ‘ of play harking back to pre WWII days, where the soulless rugby of the Bok reflected the mindset of a nation. > Gotta agree with Ben Smith, “ the Springboks took the trophy by default, with what might be the most unimpressive escape of all time “.
79 Go to commentsI think Rassie should bring in some new guys and give them a go in these irrelevant games. It’s a chance to blood some guys that might otherwise not get a chance and see if they’re up to it. As for the who’s number 1 dispute? Don’t care. As long as the trophies are brought home, that argument isn’t important. Champions don’t fuss about the could’ve, would’ve, should’ve. They just do, and that for me makes SA and NZ the top dogs. Followed by Ireland and occasionally England.
225 Go to commentsThis is like the “catches win matches" saying in cricket. If ABs were pragmatic and kicked for goal instead of hunting tries, I reckon they win that game with ease. Instead, nearly 6 months later; we have World Rugby's official mouthpiece celebrating their Almost Won the Rugby World Cup trophy. Fine Victory Gentleman! Well-earned!!
79 Go to comments“…the All Blacks nearly won…” is the only phrase you need to concern yourself with relative to this “journalistic” piece. Enjoy your Almost Won the World Cup victory…
79 Go to commentsAw common. Stop winging. There were no errors by officials. It is all recorded. Whose fault was the Cane red card? Or the Savea knock? Maybe the selectors who insisted on making a very average player their captain should be blamed. Something had to give way.
79 Go to commentsThe latest ‘Ireland are arrogant’ attack from one of the two most arrogant rugby nations on earth.
131 Go to commentsWaawaawaaaaaaaa
24 Go to commentsHow does this guy still have a job?
79 Go to commentsSorry bok you can't beat facts, we heard you all crowing how great you thought you were..lol ! We all watched the game, cheatsabeth cheating cost abs a try, only a penalty considering it was cynical and a professional foul, doesn't matter who wrote this because thats how it happened, but you go enjoy your gifting of the cup,
79 Go to commentsCan we talk about the context of how this particular journalist continues to make a living and gets published? Controversy for clicks. Shame on all of us for engaging with these irrelevant opinions.
79 Go to commentsAn astounding article !
79 Go to comments