07/18/26 11:13:00
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07/18 11:12 CDT Scotland's bench sparks comeback to beat Fiji 33-17 at
Murrayfield
Scotland's bench sparks comeback to beat Fiji 33-17 at Murrayfield
EDINBURGH, Scotland (AP) --- Scotland was energized by its bench to overcome a
10-point deficit and beat Fiji 33-17 in Nations Championship rugby at
Murrayfield on Saturday.
After the thrilling but draining defeat to South Africa in Pretoria last
weekend, Scotland coach Gregor Townsend made 14 changes and finally tired of a
disjointed, wasteful display against an efficient and bone-rattling Fiji by
unleashing his experienced reserves from the 48th minute.
The injection of more than 260 caps' of experience from the likes of forwards
Pierre Schoeman, Zander Fagerson, Scott Cummings, Magnus Bradbury and backs
Jamie Dobie and regular skipper Sione Tuipulotu --- four of them British and
Irish Lions --- made a huge impact.
Scotland clicked, and to no surprise scored four consecutive tries, all of them
by replacements, to overturn a 17-7 deficit.
A barrelling Schoeman finished an initial break by match captain Stafford
McDowall, then Dobie burrowed over beside the posts in the 61st minute to put
Scotland in front for the first time in 40 minutes.
Scotland glossed up the scoreline with two more tries in the last six minutes
by Cummings and Dobie again to send home a crowd of 55,000 happy.
"I thought our bench did really well," Townsend told the BBC. "Something I've
learned over the last 12 months the bench can help you change momentum. The
players can come up with solutions themselves but the bench can give you energy
and solutions but also bravery. We're a team that will back our decisions and
that put real pressure on Fiji.
"I felt (Fiji) picked their strongest side today and it took a lot of work for
us to break them down but also it took a really good defensive performance,"
Townsend added. "Fiji didn't really break us that often (and) in that final
quarter the guys were outstanding. We'll take a few positives from that."
Fiji had never beaten Scotland at Murrayfield but would have sensed the chance
of making history by halftime. The Fijians were tough and clinical in a huge
turnaround from last weekend when they were humiliated by England 73-8 in
Liverpool.
Fiji didn't concede to Scotland until the 14th minute, a try by lock Jonny Gray
from a break engineered by midfield clubmates McDowall and Ollie Smith.
But Fiji hit straight back. Captain Tevita Ikanivere went over in a lineout
drive.
Three minutes later, they produced a brilliant 90-meter sweeping try.
Jiuta Wainiqolo saved the ball from going out in his 22 with Duhan van der
Merwe on his heels and wheeled upfield. Virimi Vakatawa, making his Fiji debut
four years after giving up his France jersey due to a cardiac condition,
offloaded to midfield partner Josua Tuisova. Winger Selestino Ravuatumada then
grubbered to himself and finished the move for 10-7.
Flanker Lekima Tagitagivalu was sin-binned with Fiji on a warning but Fiji
worked a third try when No. 8 Elia Canakaivata ran untouched from an unguarded
ruck.
Three entries into the Scotland 22 and three tries in the first half. But
Fiji's handling wasn't as sticky in the second half and its blitz defense was
unlocked by Scotland's fresh and seasoned bench.
Scotland next hosts New Zealand on Nov. 7 in the Nations Championship. Fiji
defends its Pacific Nations Cup title starting against Canada on Sept. 12 in
Osaka.
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AP rugby: https://apnews.com/hub/rugby
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