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 24-17 Tonga, 48 minutes
And Tonga seem to have a bit of momentum now. A skidding kick from Charles Piutau is perfectly directed, and Blair Kinghorn slides into touch trying to prevent a 50/22.
Gregor Townsend makes changes, hoping to spark his side back into life. Pierre Schoeman, Huw Jones, George Horne and Darcy Graham all on.
Scotland 24-17 Tonga, 47 minutes
That really was a silly 30 seconds from Scotland, first throwing a lineout metres from their own line in haste and then clearing to nowhere in particular. Takes nothing away from the finish, though - not bad from a man whose listed weight is in excess of 150 kilos.
TRY! Scotland 24-17 TONGA (Ben Tameifuna try, 44 minutes)
And the big man is moving!
What a finish from Ben Tameifuna! Kata had made a great crater up the middle and the tighthead prop is an unlikely figure to capitalise, skipping and stepping away from Finn Russell before planting his massive hand into Richie Gray’s chest, churning the legs and driving to the line as two more Scottish bodies try in vain to halt him. William Havili converts - now then...
Scotland 24-10 Tonga, 43 minutes
Tonga almost work somethig clever at the frong of a lineout, but stray into touch on the right seven metres from Scotland’s line.
Hold on - Scotland have thrown a quick lineout and that’s an awful clearance. Solomone Kata runs it back with interest...
Scotland 24-10 Tonga, 42 minutes
Taumoepeau’s ten minutes in the bin have elapsed but Scotland keep the ball alive, hoping to break through a depleted Tongan defensive line. But a couple of forwards get themselves in a muddle, Rory Sutherland carrying into a teammate’s derriere, and Karl Dickson whistles for a penalty.
Taumopeau is back amongst things.
Second half...and Afusipa Taumoepeau will return!
News from the bunker - Afusipa Taumoepeau’s yellow card will not be upgraded. He’ll be back on shortly.
For now, though, Tonga’s 14 are back underway.
HT: Scotland 24-10 Tonga
The Independent’s columnist Stuart Hogg wrote this week that Scotland might have to be patient to get that fourth score, but it does feel like they’ve got slightly too much attacking invention for a Tonga side that are still gelling together having not played a tier one nation in their warm-up fixtures. Finn Russell’s range of passing has really tested their edge defence.
HT: Scotland 24-10 Tonga
Four tries and a bonus point already in the bag for Scotland, surviving some punishing hits and Charles Piutau magic to take a significant half time lead down the tunnel. No word yet on whether Afusipa Taumoepeau’s yellow card will be upgraded, but it feels like a long way back for Tonga regardless, the Pacific Island side fading a little as the half wore on, particularly defensively.
George Turner got it all started with a maul score to please the purists. Beefy.
TRY! SCOTLAND 24-10 Tonga (Rory Darge try, 42 minutes)
There’s the bonus point score!
Rory Darge can probably count himself as slightly fortunate. It looks very much like the flanker has been tackled by Tanginoa Halaifonua, knee on the floor with the Tongan’s arms still wrapped around his ankle, but referee Karl Dickson permits him to plough on anyway. Darge duly does, scrambling over beneath the posts. Finn Russell’s conversion is the final action of a pleasing half for Scotland.
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