Australia tops pool, plays Scotland in last eight

LONDON - Australia withstood a second-half siege to beat Wales 15-6 in their Pool A decider at Twickenham Saturday and book a Rugby World Cup quarterfinal against Scotland. Flyhalf Bernard Foley, who masterminded Australia's victory over England a week ago to eliminate the host, scored all the Wallabies' points by landing five penalties. But Australia needed outstanding defense to hold off the Welsh, who now meet South Africa in the last eight. Australia led 9-6 at the break and somehow repelled intense Wales pressure after Will Genia and Dean Mumm were sin-binned in quick succession just before the hour, leaving the Wallabies to play with 13 men for some seven minutes. Dan Biggar kicked two penalties for Wales, which has now lost 11 matches in a row against Australia dating back to 2008. Earlier, Scotland beat Samoa 36-33 in a thrilling Pool B game, denying Japan a last-gasp shot at advancing to the knockout stage for the first time. The Scots settled after a wild first half in which they conceded three tries and their defensive line was broken at will by the Pacific Islanders, who led 26-23 at the break. However, the Samoans couldn't keep up their dazzling play and Scotland ground them down in the forwards, allowing scrumhalf Greig Laidlaw to kick two penalties and then cross for the clinching try in the 74th minute. A late, fourth Samoa try made for a tense last two minutes, but Scotland held on and made the last eight of a World Cup for the seventh time in eight editions.
Scotland placed second in the pool.