Darcy Graham grabs four in Scotland’s nine-try win over Fiji
Scotland’s defence in the face of gathering Fijian power was weak. Hastings banged over a penalty, Tom Jordan came on for an excellent debut after Rowe had the misfortune to be on the end of a howitzer tackle and Ashman returned.
A storm weathered? Not really. Mali Derenalagi powered over before the break and it was deserved. Tevita Ikanivere scored just after the break and that was deserved too.
It was a cheeky move at the front of a line-out, a slick one-two and then a terrible decision by man-of-the-match Graham in defence. Ikanivere went by him like he was not there and suddenly it was 29-15.
Just before that score, Ashman went high in the tackle and was deeply fortunate not to get a second yellow, or even a straight red. He was spoken to, and warned, but he should have been off.
Scotland’s response to Fiji’s threat was impressive. A terrific team try led to Jones cutting a lovely line to put Graham in for his hat-trick.
Not long after that, Graham scored his fourth with substitutes Dylan Richardson and Jamie Dobie, who was influential, helping to weaken Fiji’s resistance. The conversion made it 43-17.
It became a 50-pointer when a fast-finishing Scotland struck again, Hastings’ delicious offload in midfield setting them on their way and Jones put Van der Merwe through.
Scotland kept attacking and scored again in the final seconds when Hastings, another major performer, cross-kicked for Jones, who was in acres of space on the right wing.
Hastings converted and Scotland had the promising start to the autumn that they were looking for.
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