Ford: Laidlaw will put All Blacks miss behind him

The Gloucester fly-half's penalty miss against New Zealand on Saturday proved to be a huge turning point, as rather than going ahead with ten minutes to play the Scots faced an All Blacks resurgence and ultimately went down 24-16.

But with unfinished business against Tonga on the cards this weekend - after the South Pacific Islanders' shock victory at BT Murrayfield two years ago - GUINNESS PRO12 star Ford expects the Scotland skipper to bounce straight back.

"Greig has won numerous games before and he will still do it in the future," Ford told the Edinburgh Evening News.

"That's sometimes how it goes. As a team we had opportunities away from there to do damage.

"I didn't have an angle but by the sound of the crowd - who were brilliant in getting behind us - they were willing that kick over.

"Greig is a phenomenal kicker and it is not often he misses one. It is part of rugby. Everybody does it so no need to get carried away.

"There's plenty in our game we need to get sorted away from what is part and parcel of rugby.

"We were disappointed to lose to Tonga the last time we played them, but if we can play at the standard we have set ourselves, we can put ourselves in a good position.

"Tonga are a very aggressive team, unpredictable at times, so we have to be switched on."

Meanwhile Edinburgh's defence coach Omar Mouneimne has been forced to leave the GUINNESS PRO12 and return to South Africa due to personal reasons.

The former Italy defence coach was hired in August last year by Edinburgh Rugby head coach Alan Solomons, after the pair had worked together in their native South Africa for Southern Kings.

Solomons said: "We are sorry that Omar has had to return to South Africa to deal with some personal issues.

"He has been an important part of our coaching team and laid strong foundations that we will build on.

"We wish Omar the very best for the future."

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