Scotland 32 Japan 11
Winger Chris Paterson saved Scotland from humiliation as they opened their World Cup campaign with an unconvincing 32-11 victory over Japan today.
The Scots fielded a near full-strength side but struggled throughout the pool B encounter at Townsville before scoring three late tries to avoid a major shock.
Paterson, who plays flyhalf for his club, scored two of his side's five tries for a personal tally of 15 points, while Japan were left to celebrate one of their best international performances.
Scotland, playing into the wind during the first half at Stockland Stadium, began well enough, with Paterson put away on the overlap down the left after just five minutes and touching down under the posts.
When lock Stuart Grimes followed Patterson's lead by thundering down the left wing to score the second try with 18 minutes gone, Japan looked in danger of being swept away.
But two penalties from flyhalf Keiji Hirose kept the Japanese in touch at 12-6 before they somehow stole back the initiative, threatening the Scottish line repeatedly.
Each time they carved through the midfield, number eight Takeomi Ito breaking clear and centre Yukio Motoki matching him moments later. Wingers Hirotoki Onozawa and Daisuke Ohata, however, failed to finish off each move as both were bundled into touch. Scotland began the second half 15-6 ahead and looking for quick improvements.
Instead, Japan continued holding their own at the lineouts and scrums before stunning their opponents with a 55th-minute score.
Replacement flyhalf Andrew Miller looped around his inside centre before the routine move ended with Onozawa touching down unopposed in the left corner.
By now, at 15-11, a delighted Townsville crowd was firmly in the Japanese camp and they cheered rather than booed when Scotland winger Kenny Logan's dive over the line was ruled out for a knock-on as he grounded the ball.
The 25-year-old Paterson, however, saved his team with a quarter of an hour to go as number eight Simon Taylor broke right down the blindside from a ruck before flinging a speculative pass infield.
The ball bobbled via Japanese hands straight to Paterson who jogged over.
Taylor then popped up near the right wing to barge over with five minutes remaining and Simon Danielli, replacing Paterson, completed a kick-and-chase after Japan mis-handled to paper over the Scottish cracks.