Graham’s try blitz helps Scotland to huge win over Romania

Darcy Graham led the way with four tries as Scotland romped to an 84-0 bonus-point triumph over Romania at the Rugby World Cup on Saturday to set up a pool B showdown against Ireland.

Graham’s opening three tries came in the first half as Scotland blitzed to a 42-0 lead and they added six more tries in the second period, scoring more than a point a minute at the Stade Pierre-Mauroy.

Hamish Watson, Ali Price, Matt Fagerson, Chris Harris, Ollie Smith, Ben Healey, Johnny Matthews and Rory Darge also scored tries while Healey did not miss any of his 11 conversions for apersonal tally of 27 points.

Scotland moved up to 10 points in the standings and kept up their hopes of a quarterfinal place, as they prepare to meet Ireland in Paris on Saturday. They must beat the world's top- ranked team to stand any chance of progressing to the last eight.

“We spoke about being discipline, keeping hold of the ball, sticking to our game and things would fall into place,” Graham said.

“The boys did that well and I'm proud of them tonight. We just wanted to get this game out the way, get the five points and fire into Ireland.

“We're going to go to Paris all guns blazing and put in our best performance.”

Scotland bagged three tries in the opening 21 minutes led by flanker Watson’s effort in the ninth minute and when Romania had two players yellow-carded in quick succession 10 minutes before halftime, Graham scored two more tries and Matt Fagerson also dotted down.

There was plenty of opportunity for Scotland’s backs to display a full array of skills in the second half as they added six more tries, the last from Graham as he rounded off a fine individual performance.

None, however, was more popularly received than when Blair Kinghorn broke and Matthews finished off an expansive move for a debut try, one week after receiving a surprise call up to join the squad in France as an injury replacement.

Romania did not score in their previous match — a 76-0 loss to South Africa in Bordeaux — but had a chance in the last quarter-hour with several pick and drives at the Scotland line but fell agonisingly short.

They have now conceded 242 points, with only eight scored in their opening pool game against Ireland on the opening weekend of the tournament in France. Romania conclude their campaign against Tonga in Lille on October 8.

“I know we got a lot of points [scored against us] but I think the guys were more together for this game,” Romania lock Adrian Motoc said.

“We defended a lot, tried to play the game, but unfortunately we couldn't score. We will see on the video and try to get the positives for the next game.”

Reuters

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Pool A | Pool B | Pool C | Pool D

Star players:

Damian Penaud, France | Canan Moodie, South Africa | Selestino Ravutaumada, Fiji | Ardie Savea, New Zealand | Will Skelton, Australia | Johnny Sexton, Ireland | Antoine Dupont, France 

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