Scotland fly-half Finn Russell is bound his staff can come again within the Rugby World Cup regardless of a irritating loss to South Africa in Marseille; Scotland face Tonga on September 24; Romania and Eire additionally in Pool B
Final Up to date: 11/09/23 10:24am
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Sky Sports activities Eleanor Roper experiences as defending champions South Africa get their World Cup marketing campaign off to a profitable begin in opposition to Scotland
Sky Sports activities Eleanor Roper experiences as defending champions South Africa get their World Cup marketing campaign off to a profitable begin in opposition to Scotland
Finn Russell hopes a two-week break between matches will permit Scotland to regroup and get Sunday’s demoralising World Cup opener in opposition to South Africa out of their system.
The Scots had been unable to spark their swashbuckling attacking recreation as they crashed 18-3 to the Springboks in Marseille, shedding the second half 12-0.
It was Gregor Townsend’s aspect’s lowest-scoring outing since their first recreation of the 2019 World Cup once they had been defeated 27-3 by Eire.
Fly-half Russell mentioned: “I am very annoyed with the outcome but in addition with the second half. I do not assume we confirmed a real reflection of the staff that we’re. It’s extremely irritating.”
The Scots don’t play once more till they face Tonga in Good on Sunday September 24.
After they return to motion, they know they need to win all three of their remaining video games – the opposite two are in opposition to Romania and Eire – if they’re to have an opportunity of rising from the formidable Pool B to achieve the quarter finals.
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Highlights from day three of the Rugby World Cup in France the place there have been wins for defending champions South Africa, Japan, and Wales. Credit score: RWCL
Highlights from day three of the Rugby World Cup in France the place there have been wins for defending champions South Africa, Japan, and Wales. Credit score: RWCL
“This was doubtlessly the scenario we had been going to be in after the primary recreation,” mentioned Russell.
“Ideally it would not have been, however now we’re on this scenario we have to decide ourselves again up, we have to get going.
“We have got Tonga then Romania so we have to go into these video games as finest ready as we will and seeking to play as finest we will.
South Africa’s Kurt-Lee Arendse scores a strive in the course of the Rugby World Cup match in opposition to Scotland
“We had a 10-minute interval the place we let South Africa get two tries so we’ll chat about how we will get higher after that second half and popping out firing right away [after half-time] so that does not occur once more.
“As annoyed as we’re, there’s a lot to work on and nonetheless every little thing to play for.”
The Scotland gamers have been given time without work with their households within the early a part of this week to recuperate from the psychological and bodily calls for of dealing with the world champions of their first recreation.
Russell, competing at his third World Cup, has vowed they may come again prepared for his or her must-win recreation in opposition to Tonga.
“We have got two weeks now so we’ll have the subsequent few days simply getting away from rugby,” mentioned the 30-year-old.
Russell in motion in the course of the Rugby World Cup match between South Africa
“That was very bodily demanding and mentally as effectively.
“The subsequent few days we’ll get away from rugby, refresh ourselves and are available again on Thursday and begin making ready for Tonga – that is a large recreation for us.
“We have got every little thing to play for now and to an extent nothing to lose.
“As robust as it’s to take, in sport you need to bounce again as fast as you possibly can and I believe the boys will try this.”
Stand-off Russell was within the wars on Sunday and it seemed like he could also be compelled off within the first half after a heavy collision left him grounded and receiving prolonged therapy.
“I am alright,” he mentioned. “I bought a shot within the ribs and I believe I used to be simply fairly badly winded fortunately.
“The second was a stinger which occurs in rugby.
“These collisions occur and that is a part of it. Fortunately there’s nothing that unhealthy.
“I will be good to go the subsequent recreation.”