Sean Maitland admits he nearly blew crucial World Cup opportunity for Scotland
Sean Maitland admits he nearly let Scotland’s bonus point slip by mistiming his slide to the corner.
The Saracens’ wing got the Dark Blues off and running with the opener against Samoa and had a major say as they claimed the vital extras in Kobe.
With three touchdowns in the bag, Gregor Townsend’s team needed just one more score for the additional point that would fire them right back into the race for the quarter finals.
But Maitland almost blew his big moment with six minutes remaining as he threw himself at the line from five yards out.
While the humidity levels in the air nudged 80 per cent at the indoor Misaki Stadium, Maitland says moisture on the ground was in short supply and he did not find the bit of slick turf he was hoping for.
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That allowed Samoa’s Ed Fidow time to dart back and put in a tackle but thankfully for Scotland he connected knee first while dislodging the ball from the Kiwi-born Scotland back’s hands.
Referee Pascal Gauzere awarded the penalty try after viewing the replay – much to Maitland’s relief as he admitted he wasted a chance to land a try double.
He said: “I slid in too early but luckily enough the old penalty try was the saviour.
“Looking back I should have dived a bit later.
“Maybe if (Fidow) didn’t come in with the knee I’d have got it.
“But I’m just delighted to help the team win. I knew we had that performance in us.
“It was the reaction we needed and the most pleasing thing was that we kept them to zero points. That was pretty special.”
Wales' improvement in the last 18 months was exemplified by their ability to close out a game that historically, they would have more than likely lost, says @OwainJTJones https://t.co/5Xua1hkCnA
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) September 30, 2019
Maitland’s first try came 30 minutes in after Finn Russell picked him out with a cross-field kick measured to perfection.
Greig Laidlaw followed that up with the second four minutes later after more sublime work by Russell, while Fidow – who was sent off for a second yellow card as he clattered into Maitland – then handed Scotland their third via a penalty try as he dragged down a driven maul.
Maitland said: “We scored a couple during the first half and probably should have scored a third just right before half-time.
“But we had patience. We stripped it right back and used our kicking game to our advantage. Guys like Hoggy, Greig and Finn were just constantly putting Samoa on the back foot.
“Finn set me up for the first but it was no surprise. If I had to buy him a beer every time Finn sets me up I’d be broke. His kicking game is unreal and he put it on the spot.
“It’s not something we’ve worked on. It’s just the way the games have been going. With defences rushing you there have been backfield spaces to exploit.”
This a great way to watch the biggest moment of the weekend.https://t.co/aXrbJfp6U8
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) September 30, 2019
Scotland faced a pounding from pundits and supporters in the wake of last week’s dismal defeat by Ireland.
But Maitland said: “We’ve not worried about the criticism. We’ve just worried about what’s been said in that changing room.
“We know the support is there. You saw it there today – the support in the stadium was amazing.
“You’re going to see the flak through social media. I’m guilty of going on the old BBC rugby website just to see what’s going on in the rugby circles.
“Yeah you do see what’s been said but you accept criticism is going to come after a result like the Ireland game. It’s funny how things can change in a week.
“But this is just a start. We need to crack on and keep building.”
– Press Association
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Comments on RugbyPass
A wallaby front-row of Bell, Blake and Tupou…now that would be hefty
1 Go to comments“But with an exceptional pass accuracy rating “ Which apart from Roigard is not a feature of any of the other 9s in NZ. Kind of basic for a Black 9 dont.you. think? Yet we keep seeing FC and TJ being rated ahead of him? Weird if it’s seen as vital to get our backline beating in your face defences.
1 Go to commentsThanks BeeMc! Looks like many teams need extra time to settle from the quadrennial northern migration. I think generally the quality of the Rugby has held up. Fiji has been fantastic and fun to watch
13 Go to commentsLets compare apples with apples. Lyon sent weak team the week before, but nobody raised an eyebrow. Give the South African teams a few years to build their depth, then you will be moaning that the teams are too strong.
41 Go to commentsDid footballs agents also perform the scout role at some time? I’m surprised more high profile players haven’t taken up the occupation, great way to remain in the game and use all that experience without really requiring a lot of specific expertise?
1 Go to commentsSuper rugby is struggling but that has little to do with sabbaticals. 1. Too many teams from Aust and NZ - should be 3 and 4 respectively, add in 2 from Japan, 1 possibly 2 from Argentina. 2. Inconsistent and poor refereeing, admittedly not restricted to Super rugby. Only one team was reffed at the breakdown in Reds v H’Landers match. Scrum penalty awarded in Canes v Drua when No 8 had the ball in the open with little defence nearby - ideal opportunity to play advantage. Coming back to Reds match - same scrum situation but ref played advantage - Landers made 10 yards and were penalised at the breakdown when the ref should have returned to scrum penalty. 3. Marketing is weak and losing ground to AFL and NRL. Playing 2 days compared with 4. 4. Scheduling is unattractive to family attendance. Have any franchises heard of Sundays 2pm?
11 Go to commentsAbsolutely..all they need is a chance in yhe playoffs and I bet all the other teams will be nervous…THEY KNOW HOW TO WIN IM THE PLAYOFFS..
2 Go to commentsI really hope he comes back and helps out with some coaching.
1 Go to commentsI think we are all just hoping that the Olympic 7s doesn’t suffer the same sad fate as the last RWC with the officials ruining the spectacle.
1 Go to commentsPersonally, I’ve lost the will to even be bothered about the RFU, the structure, the participants. It’s all a sham. I now simply enjoy getting a group of friends together to go and watch a few games a year in different locations (including Europe, the championship, etc). I feel extremely sorry for the real fans of these clubs who are constantly ignored by the RFU and other administrators. I feel especially sorry for the fans of clubs in the Championship who have had considerable central funding stripped away and are then expected to just take whatever the RFU put to them. Its all a sham, especially if the failed clubs are allowed to return.
10 Go to commentsI’m guessing Carl Hayman would have preferred to have stayed in NZ with benefit of hindsight. Up north there is the expectation to play twice as many games with far less ‘player management’ protocols that Paul is now criticising. Less playing through concussions means longer, healthier, careers. Carter used as the eg here by Paul, his sabbatical allowed him to play until age 37. OK its not an exact science but there is far more expectations on players who sign for Top 14 or Engl Prem clubs to get value for the huge salaries. NZR get alot wrong but keeping their best players in NZ rugby is not one of them. SA clubs are virtually devoid of their top players now, no thanks. They cant threaten the big teams in the Champions Cup, the squads have little depth. Cant see Canes/Chiefs struggling. Super has been great this year, fantastic high skill matches. Drua a fantastic addition and Jaguares will add another quality team eventually. Aus teams performing strongly and no doubt will benefit with the incentive of a Lions tour and a home RWC. Let Jordie enjoy his time with Leinster, it will allow the opportunity for another player to emerge at Canes in his absence.
11 Go to commentsLove that man, his way to despise angry little men is so funny ! 😂
4 Go to comments“South African franchises would be powerhouses if we had all our overseas based players back in situ. We would have the same unbeatable aura the Toulouses, Leinsters or Saracens of this world have had over the last decade or so.” Proof that Jake white does not understand the economics of the game in SA. Players earning abroad are not going to simply come back and represent the bulls. But they might if they have a springbok contract.
24 Go to commentsA lot of fans just joined in for the fun of it! We all admire O'Gara and what he has done for La Rochelle
4 Go to commentsThe RFU will find a way to mess this up as usual. My bet is there will be no promotion into the the Premiership, only relegation into National League One. Hopefully they won’t parachute failed clubs into the league at the expense of clubs who have battled for promotion.
10 Go to commentsWell that’s the contracts for RG and Jordie bought and paid for. Now, what are the chances we can persuade Antoine to hop over with all the extra dosh we’ll have from living at the Aviva & Croke next season…??? 🤑🤑🤑
35 Go to commentsWow, that’s incredible. Great for rugby.
35 Go to commentsYou probably read that parling is going to coach the wallaby lineout but if not before now you have.
17 Go to commentsIf someone like Leo Cullen was in O’Gara’s place I don’t hear Boo-ing. It’s not just that La Rochelle has hurt Leinster and O’Gara is their Irish boss. It’s the needle that he brings and the pantomime activity before the game around pretending that Munster were supporting LaRochelle just because O’Gara is from Cork. That’s dividing Irish provinces just to get an advantage for his French Team. He can F*ck right off with that. BOOOOO! (but not while someone is lying injured)
4 Go to commentsDid the highlanders party too hard before the game? They were the pits.
1 Go to comments