B is for …
Bosh. South Africa have never knowingly come at rugby in anything other than a forthright manner. Their abrasive (and very effective) hooker Bismarck du Plessis sums up their lust for confrontation. Samoa never wittingly avoid contact. All of them have a smilingly prodigious appetite for tackling. The USA yield on several fronts, but never when it comes to wholehearted engagement in the physical dimensions of the game. Scotland are in danger of being bounced out of the World Cup before they have a chance to employ their new game of continuity and dash. On the other hand, there are signs of a new confidence in Vern Cotter’s side, and fewer glimpses of the white-line anxiety that used to seize them near the goalline of their opponents. They have power of their own, in the shape of Mark Bennett and Richie Vernon, in the centre – and Finn Russell for authority at fly-half, while Peter Horne has re-emerged, a right little bundle of invention. Scotland should come through as the runners-up to South Africa, but not without bruises. That leaves Japan, pound for pound the best rugby players on the planet – the most accurate, the most telling passers of the ball – but still at a disadvantage given that a perpetual physical pounding still takes a toll on skills. If rugby, like rowing, had a lightweight division, Japan would be perennial winners. As it is, they are likely to enjoy only their traditional “own World Cup final” against the USA.
Key match
Samoa v Scotland (10 October, Newcastle). It’s the last game in the pool for both teams, a simple decider of second place. Since it takes place at St James’ Park there might be a few more Scots in the crowd than Samoans. On the other hand, Samoans are used to travelling without much support of any kind. Scotland by not much.
Watch out for …
It is always a pleasure to watch Samoa’s Kahn Fotuali’i in action – as long as he does not let frustration taint his smooth skills. He is still viewed in New Zealand as the No9 who got away. Scotland’s back row, the controversial Kiwi John Hardie in particular, will have to be alert.
