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Stuart Hogg makes diving promise after referee's rebuke

Scotland full-back Stuart Hogg in action against South Africa
Image: Stuart Hogg was ticked off by referee Nigel Owens during Scotland's defeat to South Africa

Scotland's Stuart Hogg says he will never repeat the dive that earned him an embarrassing World Cup ticking-off.

A television microphone caught referee Nigel Owens telling Hogg he could "come back here in two weeks and play" after the full-back was pulled up for diving against South Africa at Newcastle's St James' Park football ground.

Scotland lost the game and are still not certain of qualification ahead of their final Pool B match against Samoa on Saturday.

He said: "I've taken a fair bit of stick about it. I won't be doing that again, that's for sure.

"I made a mistake but there's no room for that in rugby. I've apologised to the boys and it won't be happening again."

The key to Scotland's continuing involvement in the World Cup, according to Hogg, is avoiding the kind of physical battle they lost against the Springboks.

Samoa v Scotland in focus
Samoa v Scotland in focus

Key talking points ahead of Pool B clash in Newcastle

He said: "We learned a lot from last week and we can't revert back to type about how Scotland teams of old used to play. We tried to take teams on physically and it didn't work for us.

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"We've worked all summer and during the Six Nations on this game plan and how we want to play. It's completely different to what we did last week. We're going back to the way we want to play and hopefully it'll get us the win.

"There is a high expectation in this squad that we will qualify but it comes down to what we do on the pitch. The belief is high and so is the confidence. However, we will need a complete performance to win."

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