Where Chris Robshaw and England failed, Greig Laidlaw and Scotland succeeded.
The Scots overcome a thunderous Samoan start to beat the Pacific Islanders 36-33 in a thriller at St James’ Park.
Manu Samoa had previously underwhelmed in the tournament – losing all three Pool B games – but they came out flying, and offloading.
Scotland trailed 20-13 at one stage but mauled over a fine score just before half-time, despite being down to 14 men.
Còmhlan aca a-nis! #SCO #SAMvSCO pic.twitter.com/3IuFHuMyTu
— BBC Spòrs Gaelic (@BBCSpors) October 10, 2015
After the break, with Samoa [average age 31] flagging, Scotland were tighter and more disciplined.
They took most penalties on offer to edge ahead, 29-26, before Laidlaw made a big, big call.
Three points to the good, he turned down three easy points, in front of the posts, and opted for a scrum. It paid off as he took clean scrum ball and sniped over.
That converted try was much needed as Motu Matu’a’u screamed over for a late Samoa try that had the Scots sweating until the final moment, when Laidlaw hoofed the ball in the crowd and secured a quarter final.
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