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Darcy Graham’s four tries lift Scotland to record win over Fiji
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Darcy Graham’s four tries lift Scotland to record win over Fiji

EDINBURGH, Scotland (AP) — Darcy Graham’s four tries in his return to rugby test helped Scotland to a record 57-17 victory over Fiji at Murrayfield on Saturday.

Graham’s four gave him 28 tries and equaled Scotland’s all-time record – for 10 minutes.

After Graham left the field in the 66th minute to check on a head injury, his compatriot Duhan van der Merwe scored his 29th try to once again become sole owner of the national record he has held since July.

Graham was making his first appearance for Scotland in 13 months, since the Rugby World Cup, where he scored his only previous four in a match against Romania. Injuries kept him sidelined for eight months until September.

“When you’re out that long, you start to wonder when it’s going to happen again, if it’s going to happen again,” Graham told TNT Sports. “You have doubts in your head, but I’m just excited to be back.”

“I joined (Van der Merwe on the tries record) for five minutes! It’s a lot of fun, good competition between me and Duhi. We’ll continue into the thirties, I think.

Graham scored twice in each half in a reverse game in which Scotland made it 26–0 after 21 minutes.

When Fiji, reduced to 13 men at one point, returned to full strength, they reduced the deficit to 29-17 after 50 minutes.

But Scotland dominated until the end, with the eight-try victory eclipsing their previous biggest victory against Fiji, 54-17 in 2018, and confirming their unbeaten home run against the Fijians.

The only blow was the loss of fullback Kyle Rowe to a hamstring injury, putting him in doubt for the visit of world champions South Africa next weekend. New Zealander Tom Jordan replaced Rowe and excelled on his debut.

Scotland didn’t have to work hard in the first 20 minutes. With Fijian fullbacks Frank Lomani and then Apisalome Vata in the dustbin, Scotland scored four tries in 12 minutes. Graham made two, after a one-two with hooker Ewan Ashman, then from a cross from fly-half Adam Hastings.

When Fiji were back to 15 men and Ashman was in the bin, they hit back with back-to-back tries from fullback Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula, flanker Ratu Meli Derenalagi and captain Tevita Ikanivere on a smart lineout move .

But after center Huw Jones teed up Graham for his third try in the 53rd, Fiji looked out of steam.

The Pacific Nations Cup champion was primarily a Drua team, without its European-based background stars, as the test was held outside the international window. He should be in full force in Wales next weekend.

In the final moments, Jones saw a try ruled out for a double move, but won his second of the match minutes later thanks to another precise cross kick from Hastings, who landed eight of nine goal kicks .

After the whistle, Van der Merwe also appeared to score his second of the match, but Jones stepped into touch to cancel it out.

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AP-rugby: