Scots crush Chile, stay perfect on Americas rugby tour
Fullback Kyle Rowe has scored his first two international tries as an experimental Scotland side recovered from a sticky start in sunny Santiago to break the resolve of plucky Chile and run out 52-11 winners.
Jamie Dobie also notched a double, while substitute Matt Currie got his maiden international try to help Gregor Townsend’s team make it three victories out of three on their summer tour of the Americas.
Forwards Ewan Johnson, Nathan McBeth and Will Hurd were all handed their first Scotland starts, while Jamie Ritchie, Sione Tuipulotu and Kyle Steyn – who shifted from his usual position on the wing to play at centre – were the only players to start the game who had more than 10 caps to their name.
The tourists struggled early and were behind after Santiago Videla’s penalty got the passionate Chileans up and running in the 11th minute.
Scotland claimed the lead in the 22nd when back-rower Josh Bayliss showed good feet to push his way over from close range, with Ben Healy adding the extras.
The hosts reduced the deficit to one point shortly afterwards with a penalty from Tomas Salas, but the Scots started to exert their authority in the closing stages of the half.
Rowe waltzed in off the left to score his first Scotland try and Healy converted.
Dobie – playing on the wing instead of in his usual No.9 jumper – then finished off the Scots’ third try in the 35th minute following an exquisite pass out to the right from Healy, who was on point once more from the tee.
Dobie enjoyed another easy finish five minutes after the break when, following a lineout on the left, Rowe layed it on a plate for his Glasgow colleague to bound over.
Chile got one back in the 50th minute when replacement hooker Diego Escobar bulldozed his way through off the back of a maul.
Edinburgh back Currie raced away for his first Scotland try in the 58th minute, with fellow substitute Adam Hastings converting.
Rowe then scurried over for his second of the evening while Escobar was in the sin bin following some cynical play.
Richardson pushed over in the 73rd minute before Steyn darted clear to seal an ultimately comfortable eight-try victory in virtually the last action of the match.
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