Five things we learned as Darcy Graham guides Scotland to Fiji win

A brace in either half took the winger temporarily level with Duhan van der Merwe at the top of Scotland’s try charts, only for van der Merwe to edge back in front with a score of his own late on.

Graham scored a first-half brace among a four-try blitz from the hosts, with Glasgow duo Kyle Rowe and Huw Jones also crossing as ill-discipline meant Fiji played much of the opening quarter down a man.  

Huw Jones scored twice in Scotland's rout of Fiji, but Darcy Graham was the star of the show (Image: SNS) After a brief Fijian revival, Graham added two more in the second half, before van der Merwe’s late score.  

Graham’s try-scoring exploits came after Scotland made an enterprising start, with captain Sione Tuipulotu nearly putting Huw Jones away, while Adam Hastings almost freed the new skipper, only for Frank Lomani to deliberately knock on, an offence that cost the Fiji scrum-half 10 minutes in the sin-bin. 

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The hosts thought they had capitalised on their numerical advantage when Ewan Ashman was driven over from a five-metre lineout, but the try was disallowed for obstruction by Pierre Schoeman in the build-up.  

But a capacity home crowd only had to wait 60 seconds for Scotland’s first score, Kyle Rowe crossing after an innovative line-out. Hastings converted to give Scotland a 7-0 lead.  

Just as Lomani returned, Fiji lost centre Apisalome Vota after repeated infringements and Scotland wasted no time adding a second try, Graham with the first of his treble. Hastings landed the extras to double Scotland’s lead to 14-0.  

Two minutes later, the winger was at it again, gathering a Hastings kick from a quick penalty to kick ahead and score. After a lengthy TMO deliberation, the try was given, but Hastings missed the conversion.   

Huw Jones added a fourth inside the opening quarter, intercepting a wild pass from Fiji fullback Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula to run under the posts. Hastings conversion capped a perfect opening quarter for the hosts.  

Into the second quarter, it was Scotland’s turn to get on the wrong side of referee Evans with Ewan Ashman the third player to see yellow for diving off his feet. Fiji capitalised, Armstrong-Ravula atoning for his earlier error to cross from a strong carry.  

A penalty from Hastings extended the home buffer just before the break, while also effectively wasting some of Ashman’s sin-bin period, but more penalties conceded by the home side allowed Fiji to score a second try with Ratu Meli Derenalagi crossing from close range. Ravula missed the conversion and Scotland led 29-10 at half-time.  

The visitors struck first in the second half, captain Tevita Ikanivere dancing down the touchline from a short lineout and throwing an outrageous dummy that fooled Graham to score. Caleb Muntz converted.  

But the winger made amends moments later, competing his hat-trick after being set free down the right wing by Jones. Hastings conversion took Scotland out to 36-17 before Graham drew level with van der Merwe at the top of the try charts after collecting a short ball from Dobie to dive over. Hastings converted.  

Darcy Graham scored four tries and was named Player of the Match on his return (Image: SNS) With the match now broken up, van der Merwe broke down the touchline to score before Huw Jones completed the rout in the final minute. 

There was still time for van der Merwe to be denied a second in the final play as Scotland kicked off their four-match autumn in style. 

From Scottish Gas Murrayfield, here are five things we learned.  

Darcy Graham is back with a bang 

The Hawick man has missed more than a year of international rugby with a succession of injuries, but he capped his return here with four stunning scores.  

For all of Kyle Steyn’s good work, Scotland have missed Graham’s spark – more of the same will be required next weekend if Townsend’s charges are to challenge the world champions.  

Clinical Scotland make Fiji pay 

When the visitors lost two players to the sin-bin inside the opening quarter, Scotland took full advantage and ran in four tries to all-but end the game as a contest. Townsend’s side showed great innovation to score from a well-crafted lineout as Rowe cantered over in midfield before quick thinking by Hastings found Graham for his second try.  

When the game broke up in the second half, Scotland were clinical again as they put Fiji away in style, with Jones and van der Merwe to the fore. 

Ill-discipline costly 

The visitors’ captain Tevita Ikanivere said in his pre-match media duties they would need to work hard for 80 minutes if they were to win at Murrayfield for the very first time. They did not help their cause, shipping eight penalties early on and getting on the wrong side of referee Craig Evans.  

Playing a man down made it so difficult for Mick Byrne’s side to compete, while Townsend’s side found similarly when Ashman was off the field.  

Big impact from the bench 

Scotland were forced into a change just before half-time with Tom Jordan replacing the injured Kyle Rowe, and the Glasgow man did not look out of place at fullback on his debut.  

Dylan Richardson, given special dispensation to play by The Sharks, was also busy, while Jamie Dobie added a spark at scrum-half.  

Scotland won’t beat Springboks by kicking 

The first 20 minutes was excellent from Scotland, but thereafter they slowed the game down and resorted to putting the ball in the air. That is usually a strength of Ali Price, but the scrum-half overcooked a couple and handed possession back to the visitors. While Fiji did not punish those mistakes, the world champions will not be so kind next weekend.  

Scotland: Kyle Rowe (Jordan 40), Darcy Graham (McDowall 65), Huw Jones, Sione Tuipulotu (captain), Duhan van der Merwe, Adam Hastings, Ali Price (Dobie 49); Pierre Schoeman (Sutherland 49), Ewan Ashman (Richardson 49), Zander Fagerson (Rae 60), Grant Gilchrist, Scott Cummings (Williamson 60), Matt Fagerson, Rory Darge, Jack Dempsey (Brown 67) 

Tries: Rowe (8), Graham (15, 18, 52, 62) Jones (20, 79), van der Merwe (72)

Conversions: Hastings (9, 16, 21, 52, 62, 72, 80)

Penalty: Hastings (37) 

Yellow card: Ashman (32) 

Fiji: Isaiah Ravula; Vuate Karawalevu, Apisalome Vota (Nalaga 63), Inia Tabuavou (Valetini 63), Ponipate Loganimasi, Caleb Muntz, Frank Lomani (Kuruvoli 62); Haereiti Hetet (Natave 59), Tevita Ikanivere (Dolokoto 60), Samuela Tawake (Koroiduadua 59), Isoa Nasilasila, Ratu Leone Rotuisolia (Vocevoce 50), Ratu Meli Derenalagi (Miramira 67), Kitione Salawa, Elia Canakaivata  

Tries: Ravula (33), Derenalagi (40), Ikanivere (50) 

Conversions: Muntz (51) 

Yellow cards: Lomani (4), Vota (14) 

Referee: Craig Evans (Wales) 

Attendance: 67,144 

Player of the Match: Darcy Graham