Scotland win against Romania
Scotland looked good at times and I'm impressed with some of our back line moves but it was really a game full of errors and the score should have been at least double. The hype wasn't there and I believe that explains the lack lustre performance. However, I'm sure there are bigger and better things to come from a side that actually loooks like they can put a decent game together against the best. But, don't expect it against NZ as it will be a case of damage limitation in that match.
Well done boys...keep up the good work and bring on the passion when we need it!
Taken from SMH - Rugby Heaven
Scotland roll Romania
September 19, 2007 - 8:52AM
Scotland 42 Romania 0
Allister Hogg scored three tries in a 42-0 win over Romania that marked the end of Scotland's buildup at the World Cup and the start of its make-or-break phase.
A big lopsided score loomed when the Scots scored in the second minute, but a rash of handling errors in cool, slippery conditions and some jarring Romanian defence tempered that.
Scotland are 2-0 after beating Portugal 56-10 and accounting for Romania at a half-full Murrayfield on Tuesday, but its important matches are to come: New Zealand in Edinburgh on Sunday and Italy at Saint-Etienne, France, on September 29.
The error-strewn Scottish performances so far will not be unsettling the All Blacks, who opened with a 76-14 win over Italy and pulverised Portugal 108-13.
More likely, Scotland's focus will be on beating Italy, which struggled to fend off the physical Romanians 24-18 on September 12, for a place in the quarter-finals.
Hogg crossed amid a driving maul in the first half as Scotland led 21-0 at the break, and twice out wide in the second.
The openside flanker become the fifth player to score three or more tries in a match at this World Cup, with South Africa winger Bryan Habana's four against Samoa giving him the lead.
Chris Paterson scored the first try and landed all six conversions for a 17-point haul, and fullback Rory Lamont crossed for two tries, giving him four for the tournament.
A Romanian fumble gave the Scots impetus for the first try, when Dan Parks regathered and kicked ahead for Paterson, who chased through and got downward pressure as the defenders overran the ball.
After two missed chances inside the attacking quarter, the Scottish forwards drove Hogg over in the 17th minute to make it 14-0.
Scotland had trouble with its set piece for a period when Romania took a tighthead scrum and two lineouts, but recovered its technical superiority as the match went on.
Rory Lamont got his first try in the 35th after a strong burst from his brother, Sean, gave Scotland field position 15 meters out.
Scrumhalf Mike Blair had a try disallowed for double-movement just after halftime, but was instrumental in Scotland's fourth try in the 46th minute to earn a bonus point.
No.8 Simon Taylor charged down an attempted clearance kick from Romania's replacement scrumhalf, Valentin Calafeteanu, and unloaded to Blair, who drew the cover to the sideline and passed inside for Hogg to score his second.
Hogg got his third from standing out on the left wing. After two one-out hit ups from the inside backs, center Simon Webster ran it wide and gave it to the unmarked flanker to dive over.
Lamont crossed in the 72nd minute on a counterattack. After repelling Romania's best attacking chance, Scotland kicked up field and regained possession. Scott Lawson drew two defenders and found Lamont, who palmed off one tackler and split two others.
Romania's next match is against Italy at Toulouse on September 25.
