Scotland 7s 31, Japan 7s 10
The Scotland 7s team put in a much improved performance on day two of the Rugby World Cup Sevens in Dubai as they looked to rid themselves of yesterday’s defeat to Canada.
With more conviction in the contact area, fluid running and a more complete all-round sevens performance, they beat Japan convincingly.
Scotland 7s coach, Stephen Gemmell, said: “It was a much better performance compared to yesterday. There was a lot more determination from the boys. They vowed to make amends for their performance yesterday when they let themselves and everybody else down.
“We were disappointed to lose the score at the end and we have to improve on our decision making having kicked the ball away with time still left on the clock.
“We’re now looking forward to South Africa later today where we will look to continue building on our performance.”
Andrew Turnbull opened the scoring with his eighth career World Cup try. His lethal side-step and dazzling footwork was enough to startle his opponents. Colin Gregor converted.
Japan struck back with a display of sheer strength from Samoan-born Alisi Tupuailei. The covering defensive effort from Scott Forrest wasn’t enough to ground the man-mountain once known as ‘Little Lomu’.
Under pressure on their own line, Scotland responded with a master-class in sevens counter attack rugby. Colin Shaw made the initial break and release Turnbull who injected some additional pace into Scotland’s momentum. Turnbull then found Roddy Grant who touched down between the posts. Gregor converted.
The Scots polished off their first half performance with an opportunist try from Gregor. Forrest orchestrated the try as he showed nice football skills to dribble a loose ball that came from a scrum along the deck. The ball bounced neatly into the path of Gregor who dived over for the score.
Half-time score: Scotland 7s 19, Japan 7s 5
As Japan regained possession inside their own half, a crunching tackle from Jim Thompson looked to turn over ball. However, the Edinburgh centre failed to roll away and conceded a penalty.
Despite being handed a penalty, Japan still couldn’t hold on as ball was turned over once again. A wide pass from Thompson out to Shaw was sent back for the score. Gregor converted.
Moments later, the ball went out of play. Quick thinking from replacement Scott Riddell saw the ball return to action straight away.
Gregor received the throw and booted the ball up-field having spotted that Japan had no sweeper in defence. He gave chase from half-way and had enough gas in the tank to touch down.
Although Scotland had stretched into an impressive lead, Japan never gave up and captain Takashi Suzuki crossed for a consolation score.
Full-time score: Scotland 7s 31, Japan 7s 10
Scotland 7s team v Japan: Scott Forrest (Ayr)*, Roddy Grant (West of Scotland)*, Colin Shaw (Glasgow Warriors), Andrew Turnbull (Edinburgh), Colin Gregor (Glasgow Warriors) CAPTAIN, Mike Adamson (Glasgow Warriors), Jim Thompson (Edinburgh)
Substitutes: Scott Riddell (Blaydon) for Forrest, Rob Dewey (Ulster) for Shaw, Rory Hutton (Hawick)* for Adamson
* = Member of Scottish Rugby’s Contracted National Academy
Scotland 7s squad to compete at the 2009 Rugby World Cup Sevens in Dubai from 5-7 March: Colin Gregor (Glasgow Warriors) CAPTAIN, Mike Adamson (Glasgow Warriors), Rob Dewey (Ulster), Andrew Easson (Edinburgh), Scott Forrest (Ayr)*, Roddy Grant (West of Scotland)*, Rory Hutton (Hawick)*, Roland Reid (Edinburgh), Scott Riddell (Blaydon), Colin Shaw (Glasgow Warriors), James Thompson (Edinburgh), Andrew Turnbull (Edinburgh)
* = Member of Scottish Rugby’s Contracted National Academy
Pool C
South Africa, Scotland, Canada, Japan
Scotland 7s’ Rugby World Cup Sevens Pool C fixtures
Day one (5 March) – Scotland v Canada (kick-off 5:32pm local time, 1:32pm GMT)
Day two (6 March) – Scotland v Japan (kick-off 2:18pm local time, 10:18am GMT)
Day two (6 March) – South Africa v Scotland (kick-off 5:58pm local time, 1:58pm GMT)
All Scotland’s games will be broadcast live on Setanta Sports 1 and available to view via

This article was posted on 6-Mar-2009, 12:25 by Hugh Barrow.