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 0-0 Tonga, 2 minutes
Tonga go to the air and get joy, Scotland knocking on as they try to claim. But Tonga are wasteful, playing a couple of aimless phases and then tossing the ball to a blue shirt.
Kicked ahead, pure pace from Blair Kinghorn! The full-back is like a thoroughbred racehorse on the chase, and gets to the ball first...but can’t collect cleanly with the try line begging! Wow. All Kinghorn had to do was gather and ground from a yard out but through his fingertips it slips!
Scotland 0-0 Tonga, 1 minute
The opening kick off lands in the hands of Jack Dempsey, who puts some footwork on Solomone Kata but can’t beat the Leciester bound wing. Scotland clear up beyond halfway, from where Charles Piutau shimmies, but Jamie Ritchie locks his limbs around the full back to prevent further progress.
KICK OFF!
Tonga fly half William Havili gets us underway in Nice.
Sipi Tau
Tonga assemble in formation for the Sipi Tau, laying down their challenge, with Sonatane Takulua leading the charge.
Here we go. Can Tonga spring a surprise and end Scotland’s quarter-final hopes?
Scotland vs Tonga
The retuned version of “Flower of Scotland” sounds much better than the first rendition at this tournament, with World Rugby seemingly having figured the anthem issues out.
The Tonga players drape fists over hearts as they sing along to “Ko e fasi ʻo e tuʻi ʻo e ʻOtu Tonga”, some closing their eyes in reflection.
Scotland vs Tonga
Out come the players, stepping out on to a Stade de Nice pitch holding a fourth game in eight days. It still looks in decent nick - there was a fair bit of rain on Tuesday and Wednesday which freshened it up.
Anthems time.
Scotland vs Tonga
Scotland have probably gone with their biggest possible backline, perhaps bracing for the physical challenge Tonga will provide. They are a powerful side anyway, but you wonder what sort of impact their six bench forwards might be able to have if they are able to stick with the Scots in the first 60 minutes.
Scotland vs Tonga
England’s Karl Dickson is the referee today, with Wales’ Ben Whitehouse on TMO duties. The standard of officiating across the last two weekends has been very high, I’d say - I thought Ben O’Keeffe had an excellent game in Paris last night.
Scotland vs Tonga
It’s another scorcher on the Cote d’Azur, where Scotland have been based since arriving in France. I was in Nice until Wednesday and the place was already packed with Scottish fans - Finn Russell got a massive cheer when his name was announced on the public address system.
A win is a must, then, for Scotland, but you fancy that Tonga will really have been targeting this game. They were below their best against Ireland, a performance of individuals rather than a team, but Toutai Kefu has promised his side will be better today.
Scotland vs Tonga talking points
Have the Boks dented Scottish morale?
Scotland came into the tournament with genuine belief they could win their opener against South Africa so there was an air of deflation among the squad in the immediate aftermath.
The fact they had no game last weekend means there is unlikely to be any physical or mental hangover. The players had three days of downtime with their families to get the Boks defeat out of their systems, and have been in good spirits when facing the media, seeming desperate to get back on the horse and show their opening-day flop was a mere blip.
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