Darcy Graham’s four tries lead Scotland to record win over Fiji
Darcy Graham’s four tries lead Scotland to record win over Fiji
Scotland’s Darcy Graham scores a try during the Autumn international match between Scotland and Fiji at Murrayfield Stadium, Edinburgh, Scotland, Saturday Nov. 2, 2024. (Andrew Milligan/PA via AP)
Scotland’s Ewan Ashman in action during the Autumn international match between Scotland and Fiji at Murrayfield Stadium, Edinburgh, Scotland, Saturday Nov. 2, 2024. (Andrew Milligan/PA via AP)
Scotland’s Grant Gilchrist claims the ball in the line out during the Autumn international match between Scotland and Fiji at Murrayfield Stadium, Edinburgh, Scotland, Saturday Nov. 2, 2024. (Andrew Milligan/PA via AP)
Scotland’s Darcy Graham scores a try during the Autumn international match between Scotland and Fiji at Murrayfield Stadium, Edinburgh, Scotland, Saturday Nov. 2, 2024. (Andrew Milligan/PA via AP)
Scotland’s Darcy Graham scores a try during the Autumn international match between Scotland and Fiji at Murrayfield Stadium, Edinburgh, Scotland, Saturday Nov. 2, 2024. (Andrew Milligan/PA via AP)
Scotland’s Ewan Ashman in action during the Autumn international match between Scotland and Fiji at Murrayfield Stadium, Edinburgh, Scotland, Saturday Nov. 2, 2024. (Andrew Milligan/PA via AP)
Scotland’s Ewan Ashman in action during the Autumn international match between Scotland and Fiji at Murrayfield Stadium, Edinburgh, Scotland, Saturday Nov. 2, 2024. (Andrew Milligan/PA via AP)
Scotland’s Grant Gilchrist claims the ball in the line out during the Autumn international match between Scotland and Fiji at Murrayfield Stadium, Edinburgh, Scotland, Saturday Nov. 2, 2024. (Andrew Milligan/PA via AP)
Scotland’s Grant Gilchrist claims the ball in the line out during the Autumn international match between Scotland and Fiji at Murrayfield Stadium, Edinburgh, Scotland, Saturday Nov. 2, 2024. (Andrew Milligan/PA via AP)
EDINBURGH, Scotland (AP) — Darcy Graham’s four tries in his comeback rugby test spearheaded Scotland to a record 57-17 win over Fiji at Murrayfield on Saturday.
Graham’s four gave him 28 test tries and tied the Scotland all-time record — for 10 minutes.
After Graham left the field in the 66th minute for a head injury check, fellow wing Duhan van der Merwe scored his 29th test try to regain sole ownership of the national record he’s held since July.
Graham was making his first appearance for Scotland in 13 months, since the Rugby World Cup, where he scored his only previous four in a match against Romania. Injuries sidelined him for eight months until September.
“When you’re out that long, you start wondering when it’s going to happen again, if it’s going to happen again,” Graham told TNT Sports. “You have doubts in your head, but I’m just chuffed to be back.
“I joined (Van der Merwe on the tries record) for five minutes! It’s good fun, good competition between me and Duhi. We’ll take it all the way into the thirties I reckon.”
Graham scored twice in each half in a flip-flopping match in which Scotland stormed to 26-0 after 21 minutes.
When Fiji, reduced to 13 men at one point, returned to its full complement, it narrowed the gap to 29-17 after 50 minutes.
But Scotland dominated the rest of the way, the eight-try win eclipsing its previous biggest victory over Fiji, 54-17 in 2018, and upholding its unbeaten home record against the Fijians.
The only blow was losing fullback Kyle Rowe to a hamstring injury, putting him in doubt for the visit of world champion South Africa next weekend. New Zealander Tom Jordan replaced Rowe and excelled on debut.
Scotland didn’t have to work hard in the first 20 minutes. While Fiji backs Frank Lomani then Apisalome Vata were in the sin-bin, Scotland scored four tries in 12 minutes. Graham had two of them, after a one-two with hooker Ewan Ashman, then from a crosskick by flyhalf Adam Hastings.
When Fiji was back to 15 men, and Ashman was in the sin-bin, it struck back with consecutive tries by fullback Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula, flanker Ratu Meli Derenalagi, and captain Tevita Ikanivere from a clever lineout move.
But after center Huw Jones set up Graham for his third try in the 53rd, Fiji appeared to run out of steam.
The Pacific Nations Cup champion was a mainly Drua side, minus its European-based backline stars because the test was outside the international window. It should be at full strength at Wales next weekend.
In the last moments, Jones had a try ruled out for a double movement but claimed his second of the game minutes later from another pinpoint crosskick by Hastings, who landed eight of nine goalkicks.
After the hooter, Van der Merwe appeared to also score his second of the game but Jones stepped in touch to void it.
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AP rugby: https://apnews.com/hub/rugby