15. Stuart Hogg: 6
Scotland’s need to keep it tight, coupled with one of Finn Russell’s poorer displays of distribution, meant he never really got into the game.
14. Sean Maitland: 6.5
The source of most of Scotland’s clean breaks, Maitland was typically tidy and unflappable but for one shocking pass in the second half.
13. Mark Bennett: 5.5
It would be unfair to blame individual players when the system was evidently broken, but midfield resistance to the Samoan attack was entirely absent in the first half, when Samoa went both through and around the defensive line at will. Otherwise, like Hogg, didn’t see much attacking play.
12. Matt Scott: 5.5
When Scotland are either playing opposition of any real size, or have no front foot ball, Scott is not a viable crash-ball option. Forced into that role by the absence of Alec Dunbar, it hides his other strengths.
11. Tommy Seymour: 7.5
His talent for scouting out opportunistic scores has been of real benefit in the last year. Also relished the physical challenge posed by the Samoans.
10. Finn Russell: 5.5
Threw a genuine hospital pass to Hardie early on, and in general this was a poor game by his standards. Saw less of the ball than lately due to the required focus on the set piece.
9. Greig Laidlaw: 9
Ran the show in one of his best ever games, and not just because of the 26 point haul which makes him the tournament’s top scorer at this stage. Firstly, he attacked the fringes where the Samoans were slowest. Secondly, he was quick to recognise that the Scottish forwards’ chronic failure to catch kick-offs was the principal reason they were losing. Decisions to kick to the corner and take scrums were therefore not unthinking rashness, but examples of the most astute captaincy this World Cup has seen, demonstrating an absolute understanding of how to accommodate the weaknesses of his own team.
1. Alasdair Dickinson: 7.5
Took a tubby-looking Census Johnston to the cleaners in the scrum. Having always been a mobile player, Dickinson is part of a Scotland front row whose fitness is the basis of its defensive graft.
2. Ross Ford: 7
Line-out was, for the most part, a success, and his speed around the pitch was impressive too.
3. Willem Nel: 8
Had the Samoan scrum by midway through the second half. His ball-carrying and low centre of gravity adds so much to the team as well, particularly close to the opposition line, where Scotland have long struggled for ideas and penetration.
4. Richie Gray: 8
One of his best performances, tackling and carrying relentleslys. It must be said, though, that the kicks off – not always directed at him – were once again astonishingly bad.
5. Jonny Gray: 7.5
Leading tackler (again) despite departing after 60 minutes and is now 4th in the tournament statistics, despite missing a game.
6. Ryan Wilson: 5.5
His stamp wasn’t the worst piece of foul play, but it probably wasn’t that far off what would have been a disastrous red card. A dreadful pass in a routine situation ended one of Scotland’s few line-breaks.
7. John Hardie: 8
To think that there are players this good knocking around in New Zealand’s Super Rugby squads, some distance from an All Black cap, shows the astonishing depth of that country’s resources. Hardie is a class above the rest of Scotland’s forwards in his all round skills. Made big tackles and was the consummate linking open-side as well.
8. David Denton: 7.5
Made a number of good carries, tackles, and even managed a turnover. Whilst not a performance of polish or intelligence – his hands still let him down – the effort was unfailing.
Replacements: 6.5
Fraser Brown certainly added something in the loose, as did Tim Swinson – a fresher and more athletic ball-carrying option than either Gray brother.
By Charlie King (@CharlescpKing)
Photo by: Patrick Khachfe / Onside Images
Bit harsh on Wilson and Bennett, who l thought had quite strong games. Well done to Scotland for their tenacity in getting the job done. Plaudits to Laidlaw, not renowned for his breaks, for a well timed try.