Darcy Graham scores FOUR as returning wing and Duhan van der Merwe compete for Scotland record in dominant Fiji win
Darcy Graham celebrating try for Scotland against Fiji in 2024.
Darcy Graham shone on his return to Scotland duty as they opened their Autumn Nations Series campaign with a 57-17 thrashing of Fiji at Murrayfield.
Gregor Townsend’s men were rampant early on, with Graham starring in his first Test since last year’s Rugby World Cup. Kyle Rowe might have opened the scoring but it was his back three partner’s brace which was the first-half highlight.
Huw Jones also crossed the whitewash as the Scots went 26-0 up at the end of the first quarter before the visitors finally woke up.
The Flying Fijians hit back through Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula and Meli Derenalagi to give them hope before they further ate into the lead when Tevita Ikanivere touched down early in the second period.
But any concerns were eased via Graham, who brilliantly finished twice more to go level with Duhan van der Merwe on 28 at the top of the try-scoring chart. However, he was then surpassed once more as Van der Merwe crossed the whitewash to take his record back.
Click here for scorers
With the match taking place outside the international window, Fiji were without their overseas stars and it showed, especially early on, as Scotland dominated.
Townsend’s slick team were impressive in the opening quarter while the Pacific Islanders were ill-disciplined.
Frank Lomani was sin-binned for a deliberate knock-on and the hosts took advantage when Rowe crossed the whitewash from close range.
Fiji got back to 15 men only to see Apisalome Vota yellow carded and, from the resultant opportunity, Graham combined with Ewan Ashman to score his first of the evening.
It wasn’t long before the speedster was over for his second as he latched on to Adam Hastings’ cross-field kick to finish in the right-hand corner.
The Flying Fijians were imploding and another mistake allowed Jones to intercept to take Scotland 26-0 in front.
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To the tourists’ credit, they showed some spirit and put some pressure on the Scottish rearguard. As a result, the hosts began to infringe and it eventually resulted in Ashman being yellow carded for a series of penalties on their own line.
With the hooker off the field, Armstrong-Ravula went over before Derenalagi followed him after Ashman had returned from the naughty step.
And when Ikanivere crossed the whitewash at the start of the second period, Murrayfield started to get nervous.
Graham was on hand to ease their tension, though, and after the flyer had completed his hat-trick, the hosts relaxed.
The 27-year-old crossed the whitewash for a fourth time to equal Van der Merwe’s try-scoring record before his back three partner once again took it outright when he benefited from Hastings’ genius.
Fiji’s spirit had well and truly been broken and Scotland rounded off the win when Jones touched down.
The teams
Scotland: 15 Kyle Rowe, 14 Darcy Graham, 13 Huw Jones, 12 Sione Tuipulotu (c), 11 Duhan van der Merwe, 10 Adam Hastings, 9 Ali Price, 8 Jack Dempsey, 7 Rory Darge, 6 Matt Fagerson, 5 Scott Cummings, 4 Grant Gilchrist, 3 Zander Fagerson, 2 Ewan Ashman, 1 Pierre Schoeman
Replacements: 16 Dylan Richardson, 17 Rory Sutherland, 18 D’Arcy Rae, 19 Max Williamson, 20 Gregor Brown, 21 Jamie Dobie, 22 Tom Jordan, 23 Stafford McDowall
Fiji: 15 Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula, 14 Vuate Karawalevu, 13 Apisalome Vota, 12 Inia Tabuavou, 11 Ponipate Loganimasi, 10 Caleb Muntz, 9 Frank Lomani, 8 Elia Canakaivata, 7 Kitione Salawa, 6 Ratu Meli Derenalagi, 5 Ratu Leone Rotuisolia, 4 Isoa Nasilasila, 3 Samuela Tawake, 2 Tevita Ikanivere (c), 1 Haereiti Hetet
Replacements: 16 Mesulame Dolokoto, 17 Livai Natave, 18 Jone Koroiduadua, 19 Mesake Vocevoce, 20 Vilive Miramira, 21 Simi Kuruvoli, 22 Kemueli Valetini, 23 Waqa Nalaga
Referee: Craig Evans (WRU)
Assistant Referees: Christophe Ridley (RFU), Luc Ramos (FFR)
TMO: Brett Cronan (RA)
