Scotland shut out ill-disciplined Tonga
MATCH REPORT: Scotland closed out their Nations Series with a comfortable 56-0 victory over an ill-disciplined Tonga side on Sunday at Murrayfield in Edinburgh.
Scotland were expected to dominate proceedings and did just that as they bagged eight tries, with both Ewan Ashman and George Horne claiming a brace apiece.
Duhan van der Merwe, Jamie Ritchy, George Turner and Max Williamson were the other try-scorers.
Although the result offers Scotland fans some relief and renewed optimism, pressure remains on head coach Gregor Townsend following earlier defeats to New Zealand and Argentina.
Tonga also had to do a big review as they copped four yellow cards and a red card.
Tonga headed into the clash as clear underdogs, and their challenge grew even tougher when Semisi Paea was shown a yellow card that was later upgraded to red.
Scotland wasted no time capitalising on the extra man. From a clean line-out platform, they built pressure through multiple phases before Jamie Ritchie powered over for the opening try. Fergus Burke slotted the conversion for a 7-0 lead.
The hosts doubled their advantage soon after, slicing through the defence before George Turner marked his 50th cap with a well-taken try.
Scotland kept the momentum rolling as Max Williamson crashed over for his first international try, extending the lead to 21-0.
Tonga were restored to a full contingent when former Wallaby Sitaleki Timani – making his Tonga debut at the remarkable age of 39 – entered the fray to replace Paea.
But their reprieve didn’t last long. Harrison Mataele was shown a yellow card just before the break, putting Tonga under more pressure.
Despite being down to 14 men, Tonga did well to halt the scoreboard damage, and Scotland headed into halftime firmly in control at 21-0.
Tonga began the second half with a bit more urgency, putting up a brave fight and enjoying a period of possession.
However, they continued to struggle to keep 15 men on the field, with Taniela Filimone shown a yellow card.
Just short of the hour mark, Fine Inisi also received a yellow, and for Scotland, the floodgates opened.
Duhan van der Merwe produced a brilliant line-break before dotting down under the posts.
That was followed by an Ewan Ashman try after a dominant rolling maul, with Burke adding the conversion to stretch the lead to 35–0.
With 10 minutes remaining, George Horne bagged a brace, pushing Scotland’s advantage out to 49-0, while Ashman added his second to his name for the comfortable victory.
The scorers:
For Scotland:
Tries: Ritchy, Turner, Williamson, Van der Merwe, Ashman 2, Horne 2
Cons: Burke 5, Horne 3
For Tonga: NONE
Yellow cards: Harison Mataele (Tonga, 40 – offside), Taniela Filimone (Tonga, 48 – knock on), Fine Inisi (Tonga, 60 – knock on)
Red card: Semisi Paea (Tonga, 4 – yellow and upgraded for infringement)
Scotland: 15 Tom Jordan, 14 Kyle Rowe, 13 Ollie Smith, 12 Sione Tuipulotu (captain), 11 Duhan van der Merwe, 10 Fergus Burke, 9 Ben White, 8 Magnus Bradbury, 7 Jamie Ritchie, 6 Andy Onyeama-Christie, 5 Max Williamson, 4 Alex Samuel, 3 Zander Fagerson, 2 George Turner, 1 Rory Sutherland
Replacements: 16 Ewan Ashman, 17 Nathan McBeth, 18 Will Hurd, 19 Marshall Sykes, 20 Josh Bayliss, 21 George Horne, 22 Stafford McDowall, 23 Kyle Steyn
Tonga: 15 William Havili, 14 Taniela Filimone, 13 Fine Inisi, 12 Solomone Kata, 11 John Tapueluelu, 10 Patrick Pellegrini, 9 Sonatane Takulua, 8 Lotu Inisi, 7 Siosiua Moala, 6 Semisi Paea, 5 Veikoso Poloniati, 4 Harison Mataele, 3 Ben Tameifuna (captain), 2 Siua Maile, 1 Siegfried Fisi’ihoi
Replacements: 16 Samiuela Moli, 17 Fatongia Paea, 18 Phillip Kite, 19 Sitaleki Timani, 20 Fotu Lokotui, 21 Aisea Halo, 22 Tima Fainga’anuku, 23 Anzelo Tuitavuki
Referee: Luc Ramos (France)
Assistant referees: Evan Urruzmendi (France), Benoît Rousselet (France)
TMO: Tual Trainini (France)
