Pragmatic Cotter may draw on reserves for USA clash

Scotland coach Vern Cotter may be forced to change to his World Cup side that broke Japanese hearts because of the short turnaround until they play United States on Sunday.

The Scots have only four days to recover from the exertions of their 45-10 Pool B win over the side that upset South Africa.

Cotter, who like his former assistant Joe Schmidt with Ireland, is credited with changing the mindset of a demoralised outfit said it was always his plan to give game time to the whole 31 man squad. But he acknowledged the physical exertions of the schedule.

"The four-day turnaround will be tough," said the New Zealander coach.

"I think Japan found it hard, we’re in that situation now.

"We will be focusing on recovering, regenerating energy levels, get ready for a physical team who have had a week to prepare.

"We will need the 31 players. There are still 31 standing, ready to put their hands up for this weekend.

"On Thursday I’m sure we’ll have some bumps and bruises we haven’t seen today. We’ll make decisions based on that."

Scotland captain Greig Laidlaw, who crowned a 20 point performance on his club Gloucester's home ground with the man of the match award, said he has no fears about the short gap between the two games given the rigorous trianing regime Cotter has initiated since his arrival.

Laidlaw, who has formed a potent halfback partnership with Finn Russell, who gave himself a memorable 23rd birthday present by scoring one of the five second-half tries, said the new super fit Scottish look was clearly in evidence against the Japanese.

- Don't Panic -

"The message from Vern was don’t panic (when the Scots only led 12-7 at half-time), hold the ball, we had them fitness wise," said Laidlaw.

"This is the fittest Scotland team I’ve seen for a long, long time. We believe we’re in a good place, fitness wise."

Cotter also took heart out of the manner in which his team held out against Japan. The Asian champions were parked on the Scottish line for a good 10 minutes of the first-half trying to score their second try of the match - but were eventually repelled and came away with nothing.

This is exactly the type of resolute defence that Cotter will need of his players against a physically imposing USA side who gave the giant Samoa team a good test last Sunday in Brighton.

"It was nice to get them four or five times close to our line and not let them score," said Cotter.

"That’s a good start, we’re happy with the determination we showed."

Cotter was also happy to see his most controversial selection of New Zealand-born back row forward John Hardie score the first try -- ending a Scottish World Cup try drought that extended back to their first pool game of the 2011 tournament.

Hardie, 27, who qualified for Scotland through his grandparents, arrived on Scottish soil for the first time in July and was preferred to two Scottish stalwarts John Barclay and Blair Cowan.   

"I think he was true to himself," said Cotter.

"He put in a great work rate, he was very effective in defence and made some important carries.

"He's a strong dynamic powerful player."
Source: AFP