Scotland v Tonga LIVE: Rugby World Cup 2023 result and reaction as Scots claim crucial win
Scotland 45-17 Tonga: Gregor Townsend’s side kept their quarter-final hopes alive with a bonus-point victory
Scotland got their Rugby World Cup campaign back on track with a bonus-point 45-17 victory over Tonga in their clash in Nice on Sunday to keep their quarter-final hopes alive in Pool B.
The win may have come at a cost too with captain Jamie Ritchie forced off in the first half following a blow to the head in a tackle from Tongan winger Afusipa Taumoepeau, who was perhaps fortunate to see the colour of his card remain yellow.
Wingers Duhan van der Merwe and Kyle Steyn each crossed for tries, along with George Turner, Rory Darge, George Horne, Blair Kinghorn and Darcy Graham, as Scotland used the width of the field and space left by some poor Tonga defending.
The Pacific Islanders put in huge hits in the tackle, but also showed they have an enterprising attack at times and managed tries through Solomone Kata and giant prop Ben Tameifuna.
Number eight Vaea Fifita was the second Tongan player to receive a bunker yellow card for a dangerous tackle on Finn Russell with three minutes remaining, with the sanction subsequently upgraded to a sending off.
Scotland 38-17 Tonga, 79 minutes
It matters not. Sterling work from the Tongan tight five and the penalty is theirs. This has been a spirited last ten minutes, even with the game gone.
Scotland 38-17 Tonga, 78 minutes
That’s a good moment from Glasgow’s Sione Vailanu, up against plenty of familiar foes after coming off the bench, and pilfering breakdown ball with an American football style snap. His toss between the legs is grounded by a teammate in-goal, though - five-metre scrum, Scotland’s feed.
Yellow card and on review! Scotland 38-17 Tonga, 77 minutes
It’s a tucked arm, so it’ll meet the yellow card threshold regardless. Vaea Fifita will play no further part - the incident is on review and it looks like there may well have been head contact as the number eight charged into a maul. We may not find out about an upgrade until after the game’s conclusion.
Scotland 38-17 Tonga, 77 minutes
“Check check”, calls TMO Ben Whitehouse as Karl Dickson wanders over to look at the screen. What has Vaea Fifita’s shoulder connected with?
Scotland 38-17 Tonga, 76 minutes
Still, any chances of a late Tonga rally appear slim. A penalty allows Finn Russell to return his forward pack to the left corner...although the set piece is an ugly old thing, with Scottish bodies all over the place and the ball eventually ending up in Tongan hands.
Scotland 38-17 Tonga, 74 minutes
Held up! Credit to Tonga - this has been some excellent scramble defence in the last few minutes. The Finn Russell/Blair Kinghorn connection seems to have cut them open conclusively once more but Pita Ahki makes a remarkable ankle-biting tackle as Kinghorn lines up his dive for the line, and his teammates arrive to deny the next Scottish carrier as they biff around the corner.
Scotland 38-17 Tonga, 70 minutes
Goodness is Duhan van der Merwe tough to tackle. The wing threatens to go from coast-to-coast, initially flying up the fast lane and then picking his exit to connect with his teammates. His inward arc leads to a wide pass and there are Scottish shirts waiting on the right, but a little fumble ends the movement as a relieved Tonga suck in deep breaths.
TRY! SCOTLAND 38-17 Tonga (Blair Kinghorn try, 69 minutes)
Another Finn Russell assist with Blair Kinghorn the beneficiary!
Patience from Scotland, varying their questions as Tonga fatigued. A deft inside ball nearly sent Pierre Schoman over but there’s no-one in front of Kinghorn as Russell picks his moment to put the long-striding full back into space. The fly half converts.
Scotland 31-17 Tonga, 67 minutes
Tonga are offside. Scotland tap and play away quickly.
Scotland 31-17 Tonga, 66 minutes
Scotland just seem to have lifted their intensity, perhaps wanting to put this game totally to bed. A collective defensive effort results in a penalty as a Tongan dives off their feet to try and prevent Pierre Schoeman contesting at a ruck. Finn Russell kicks to the corner as Ben Tameifuna finally takes leave, the tighthead having gone an impressive 66 minutes. Sosefo Apikotoa takes over in the Tongan defensive lineout five metres from their own line.
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