Samoa 16-17 Scotland, Apia
Robinson disappointed despite victory
ESPN Staff
June 23, 2012
Scotland coach Andy Robinson, Scotland training session, Edinburgh, Scotland, May 24, 2012
Andy Robinson's side completed an unbeaten tour with victory over Samoa in Apia © PA Photos
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Players/Officials: Rob Harley
Teams: Samoa | Scotland

Scotland coach Andy Robinson was quick to admit that his side were lucky to avoid what would have been an embarrassing defeat at the hands of Samoa in Apia on Saturday.

The Scots had to rely on a late try from replacement Rob Harley and a conversion from Greig Laidlaw for a narrow 17-16 victory that also ensured they ended their tour unbeaten having already accounted for Australia and Fiji. But Robinson, whose side picked up the wooden spoon in this year's Six Nations, was not getting carried away at the final whistle.

"For a lot of that game, they looked the better side," he said. "They kept hold of the ball better than us. Defensively we were very good in the first half but we dropped off one tackle and that led to a score.

"Sometimes you have got to find something and I think that when Mike Blair charged down a kick just before the try, that showed the energy that there was among the team, they weren't prepared to give up.

"Winning is a positive. We kept fighting but we want to be able to play against the very best, compete against the very best and beat the very best. I thought that there was more to come from us I thought there was more skill. We didn't do that today, we couldn't string together one phase, but when we did, we scored seven points."

Reflecting on his match-winning cameo, Harley said: "I was as nervous as anything going on to the pitch, but I had plenty of help from the guys around me and I quickly got used to the pace of the game.

"I kept feeling that we were building towards scoring when we had scrum after scrum. I felt that eventually we were going to break them down with the amount of pressure that we had. To make the actual breakthrough myself, that was incredible.

"I guess it will sink in eventually but just now it is just unbelievable. It was great to finally get that cap. I can't quite believe I am not dreaming at the moment, if I wake up tomorrow and everyone tells me that I scored yesterday then I will really think it is true."

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