Skip to content

Scotland prop Gordon Reid hopeful of Rugby World Cup win over Samoa

Scotland's  Gordon Reid is tackled during the World Cup match against South Africa
Image: Scotland's Gordon Reid is tackled during the World Cup match against South Africa

Scotland prop Gordon Reid expects his team to out-muscle Samoa at St James' Park on Saturday and book their place in the quarter-finals of the Rugby World Cup.

Reid is wary of the threat posed by the Pacific Islanders despite a poor run of results in Pool B, culminating in a 26-5 defeat to Japan last weekend.

That loss left the Samoans with only pride to play for in Newcastle but Reid says his side will take nothing for granted and make sure their rigorous pre-tournament training pays off.

Reid said: "We know for sure that Samoa will come out with all guns blazing - everyone is saying it's a nothing match for them but they will be determined to finish on a high.

"They have a big physical pack who play straight rugby pretty similar to South Africa, so hopefully we will wear them down and our physicality will come through and get us the win."

South Africa scrum-half Fourie Du Preez kicks the ball clear during their win over Scotland
Image: South Africa scrum-half Fourie Du Preez kicks the ball clear during their win over Scotland

Reid made only his fourth Scotland start in their 34-16 defeat to the Springboks at the same venue last Saturday and is likely to return to the bench for the crucial Samoa test.

But he will hope he did enough to give coach Vern Cotter a selection dilemma after inspiring what was once again a vastly-improved second-half performance against the group favourites.

Also See:

Reid added: "The South Africa game was a very physical one and it was a good settler for the boys in terms of getting us in good stead for Samoa.

"But there are a lot of areas we have to look at, and we have to make sure we learn from last week and do some things differently to make sure they go right.

"We know it is not going to be easy. They are big and physical and they have beaten us before, but we will be fresh coming into the weekend and we will be ready."

Around Sky