SM
Man City vs. Spurs: 12 hrs 6 mins
Upcoming predictions and previews
Rugby World Cup | Group Stage
Sep 23, 2015 at 2.30pm UK
 
Scotland
45-10
Japan
Hardie (49'), Bennett (56', 69'), Seymour (64'), Russell (74')
FT
Mafi (15')

Scotland head coach Vern Cotter pleased to pass "great test"

:Headline: Scotland head coach Vern Cotter pleased to pass 'great test': ID:248052: from db_amp
Scotland head coach Vern Cotter tells Sports Mole that he is pleased to have safely negotiated South Africa's conquerors Japan at the Rugby World Cup.

Scotland head coach Vern Cotter has insisted that he has not been surprised by Japan's start to the Rugby World Cup.

The Brave Blossoms shocked the sporting world by beating two-time champions South Africa in their opening game of the tournament, and they matched Scotland for long spells just four days later at Kingsholm Stadium.

Cotter's side eventually ran out 45-10 victors courtesy of five second-half tries, but the New Zealand-born coach stressed that the match was not as comfortable as the final scoreline suggests.

"We've been watching Japan for the last two-and-half months and we weren't surprised by their tenacity, commitment and motivation to do well," Cotter told Sports Mole.

"You could see against South Africa that they've had this World Cup firmly in mind for a long period of time and it showed again today. They had 100% commitment and had a very difficult style of playing for our defence. It was a great test for us.

"Did we change? No, it just reinforced a lot of what we thought. They brought a couple of players on today that we hadn't seen, and I thought our guys adapted well to counter them, even though they were under pressure. We're happy to come out on the positive side of the scoreboard."

Scotland's bonus-point victory puts them top of Pool B ahead of their match against USA in Leeds on Sunday.

amp_article__248052 : Database Data restored...  : 
last updated article - 2015-09-24 17:14:36:
html db last update - 2015-09-24 17:14:36 :

ex - 7200 : read : read cache amp html

Click here for more stories about Vern Cotter

Click here for more stories about Scotland

Share this article now:
Read more about Vern Cotter Rugby Union
Recommended Next on SM
Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool119112161528
2Manchester CityMan City117222213923
3Chelsea115422113819
4Arsenal115421812619
5Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest115421510519
6Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton115421915419
7Fulham115331613318
8Newcastle UnitedNewcastle115331311218
9Aston Villa115331717018
10Tottenham HotspurSpurs1151523131016
11Brentford115152222016
12Bournemouth114341515015
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd114341212015
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham113351319-612
15Leicester CityLeicester112451421-710
16Everton112451017-710
17Ipswich TownIpswich111551222-108
18Crystal Palace11146815-77
19Wolverhampton WanderersWolves111371627-116
20Southampton11119721-144
Scroll for more - Tap for full version


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!

Loading ...

Failed to load data.



. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .