IN Rugby World Cup 2015, captains live or die by their decisions. You can ask Chris Robshaw about that. The England back row has been widely castigated for the brainwave which caused him to instruct his players to kick for the corner rather than go for the three points which would most likely have given his team a draw against Wales, and yesterday it was Greig Laidlaw's turn to face the horns of a dilemma.
Scotland held a 29-26 lead with seven minutes remaining when the scrum half declined to kick a simple three points, and opted to go for the scrum under the posts. Had he not vindicated the decision by sniping around the base and stretching his 5ft 9in frame to plant the ball down on the line Scotland could well be heading home this morning rather than booking their onward travel onto Twickenham for next Sunday's quarter final.
“We’re delighted, it’s a great feeling," said the 29-year-old, who contributed no fewer than 26 of Scotland's haul in this 36-33 victory. "At times in the game we were down, but credit to the players and the coaches because we all stayed calm. We had that penalty at the end and I asked the forwards. I said I wanted the scrum and would they back me.
“They said they felt they had the upper hand and thankfully I managed to score the try," added the Gloucester player, who missed the cut for Andy Robinson's squad in 2011, when the Scots lost a heartbreaker to England and exited at the group stages. "This is a great day for Scottish rugby because we lost out four years ago and it was so important for to get through. This was a different Samoan side, one we hadn’t seen in this World Cup. But we managed to win the game and that speaks volumes about the character of this squad. It was a great day because Richie got his 50th cap and Sean got his 100th cap. Sean has just said this is the best group of players he’s played with and that means a lot.”
While the players will be let off the leash to celebrate accomplishing the first phase of their goals for the tournament, Laidlaw feels they aren't done yet. Few in the outside world will give Scotland a prayer against the Aussies but this flinty wee character won't be going to Twickenham as a tourist. “It’s the greatest honour of my career and it’s a great achievement," said Laidlaw on reaching the last eight. "The team failed four years ago, and our first objective was to qualify for the knock out stages. We’ve done that, but we are by no means finished. We will enjoy tonight but we will go into the quarter-finals with a lot of confidence."
John Hardie took issue with his man of the match award but said he had never doubted Laidlaw's decision. "I always had full confidence in it," said Hardie. "I thought it was a good call. The scrum was going well, the maul was going well, so stick to your strengths. I was so happy to see him go over that line. It wasn't down to me. I am more of a soldier, not the leader."
The kilted Kiwi who was born in Lumsden, in the South Island, has become a leader for this team, though. Last night, he looked forward to the meeting with his fellow Antipodeans. "As soon as I came over here I knew there was a real drive in this team and to help get them to a quarter final is unbelievable," said Hardie. "I think personally we have another week to build together and no doubt we will give Australia a good go for it. Australia have world class players. It is an awesome challenge, the pinnacle. But I don't think people have seen the best of us yet."
While Richie Gray celebrated his 50th cap, late substitute Sean Lamont was hailed by his team-mates on the occasion of his 100th. Co-incidentally, his first, 50th and 100th all came against Samoa. "One hundred not out and I’ll keep plugging away," said Lamont. "I’m not finished yet. But if I had sat on the bench and not got on, it wouldn’t have bothered me as long as we won."
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