Scotland vs Fiji LIVE rugby: Final score and result from autumn international
Gregor Townsend’s side were looking to bounce back at Murrayfield from a narrow defeat to Australia last week
Scotland overcame a first-half scare to beat Fiji 28-12 at Murrayfield on Saturday, outscoring their visitors by four tries to two in a tough, physical contest.
George Turner, Adam Hastings, Duhan van der Merwe and Ben White dotted down for the home team with Hastings adding two conversions and his replacement Blair Kinghorn the other pair.
Fiji’s points all came in an impressive first-half showing, from Setariki Tuicuvu and debutant lock Ratu Leone Rotuisolia with a solitary conversion from Vilimoni Botitu.
Scotland’s superior organisation and fitness proved decisive but they had to weather an early onslaught that suggested with more preparation Fiji might have come closer to an upset. They had just days to prepare after only assembling at the start of the week.
Ireland 3-3 South Africa, 22 minutes
Another chance for Willemse? South Africa earn a penalty in a not dissimilar spot and...this time fancy a rumble for the left corner. Willemse’s punt is accurate.
Missed penalty! Ireland 3-3 South Africa, 21 minutes
Oh dear. That wasn’t Damian Willemse’s finest, his alignment, obviously, wrong, with what looks to be a clean strike starting and staying some 15 yards right of the posts.
Ireland 3-3 South Africa, 20 minutes
Stuart McCloskey again draws the plaudits of his teammates as he holds up Damian de Allende in a choke tackle - but Ireland’s joy is short-lived as the TMO spots Johnny Sexton’s arm wrapped around De Allende’s neck.
Penalty to South Africa, and it is kickable - Damian Willemse gestures for the tee.
Ireland 3-3 South Africa, 18 minutes
Outstanding from South Africa. Again Ireland try to work a play out the back off the top of the lineout, Stuart McCloskey pulling back the ball for a looping Mack Hansen off his blindside wing. Hansen manages to get the pass away; Hugo Keenan definitively does not, Makazole Mapimpi steamrollering the full-back as he catches. South African bodies drive through the ruck and draw a penalty.
YELLOW CARD! Cheslin Kolbe is sent to the sin bin! Ireland 3-3 South Africa, 17 minutes
Both Cheslin Kolbe and Pieter-Steph du Toit have a leg each, lifting up Hansen and appearing to drive him into the floor. It will be a card - but for who?
Kolbe is deemed the initiator, and the primary cause of the tilt and drive. Nika Amashukeli shows him yellow.
Ireland 3-3 South Africa, 16 minutes
That is gorgeous rugby, South Africa’s blitz defence so nearly unlocked by Ireland’s delightful handling from stable set-piece ball. The outside blitz of Jesse Kriel does just enough to force an errant pass, with Mack Hansen forced to tap up for himself and retreat to gather.
Oh, that looks nasty! Hansen is tilted and dropped on his head - the TMO wants to look...
Ireland 3-3 South Africa, 15 minutes
Pats on the back for Stuart McCloskey - a strong bit of defensive play from the inside centre. Jasper Wiese tests the his structural integrity with a quick pick and go, but McCloskey is firm, standing up the number eight. Wiese gets a knee to floor but the centre is immediately over the top of the ball, combining with Caelan Doris to win the penalty.
Ireland 3-3 South Africa, 13 minutes
Ireland elect to play from deep in their own territory. Johnny Sexton’s wide pass arrives in Mack Hansen’s hands on the bounce, forcing the Ireland wing to jump and jive inside and out in search of space. Damian de Allende brings him down, perhaps with a hint of head-on-head contact, and Jasper Wiese latches on to Conor Murray, causing a fumble. South Africa scrum.
Ireland 3-3 South Africa, 11 minutes
As perhaps could have been expected, plenty of early high kicking as the two sides battle for aerial and territorial supremacy. Cheslin Kolbe steps in at first receiver and produces a well-weighted up and under, but Hugo Keenan takes it competently.
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