Scotland 56 Portugal 10

Saint-Etienne: Scotland coach Frank Hadden was in cautious mood on Sunday despite his team's 46-point win with eight tries as a premium over World Cup debutants Portugal.

"It wasn't a tremendous performance," Hadden said after the inconsistent display. "We are certainly expecting better in the next one. We wanted to start with a win, and tremendous credit to Portugal. They made it very difficult for us, and full credit to them."

Scotland should have another easy ride when they play their second game of groupC against Romania in Edinburgh on Tuesday before facing the All Blacks five days later.

Their decisive game for second place and qualification for the quarter-finals against Italy, crushed by the All Blacks 76-14, on Saturday, will come on September 29.

Hadden's Portuguese counterpart Tomaz Morais was ebullient after his team did themselves proud on their debut and even managed a first-half try when winger Pedro Carvalho scored. "We played well. Our players played with spirit and all the players played with courage," the coach said.

Portugal will face the ultimate test against the All Blacks in Lyons on Saturday but their great day could come when they will play a more experienced Romanian side 10 days later in Toulouse.

"We are not afraid of New Zealand. We will play well against Italy and perhaps we will have a surprise against Romania," Morais said.

Portugal's captain and No.8 Vasco Uva, who was a powerhouse, said the match was an important step for the development of rugby in his country.

"We knew it was going to be tough but we gave everything we had to this game," the skipper said. "We knew Scotland would be hard, but it was a very good game, and I think we showed just what Portuguese rugby is about.

"We are expecting to see some of our guys in the professional championships in England and France. I think we are telling our country that there are other sports besides football."

The Portuguese had said before the game they were ready to celebrate their first World Cup appearance by taking risks whenever they could.

True to their word they ran all the ball they could grab but their breakaway Joao Uva was handed a yellow card for one ruck infringement too many just before the break.

Reuters