Scotland’s Ali Price scores a try against Romania. Photo: Photosport
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 quarter-final place, as they prepare to meet Ireland in Paris on Saturday. They must beat the world 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 will 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 nd 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."
Sanchez shines for Argentina
Nicolas Sanchez celebrated his 100th cap in style with a try and a flawless kicking performance as Argentina set up a World Cup Pool D decider against Japan with a brutal 59-5 demolition of Chile on Saturday.
Photo: Photosport Ltd 2020
First five-eighth Sanchez scored five and kicked 15 points to become his country's top scorer at a World Cup, adding to tries by Juan Martin Gonzalez (2), Agustin Creevy, Mart+n Bogado, Rodrigo Isgro, Ignacio Ruiz and Santiago Carreras to put Argentina in second place on nine points.
Argentina lead third-placed Japan on points difference ahead of their meeting next week with a quarter-final place at stake while Chile exit the tournament bottom of the group with zero points despite scoring a late try through Tomas Dussaillant.
Pool D leaders England have qualified in top spot and Argentina's win has eliminated Samoa.
"It was very special for me. My family are here, 100 caps. I am very happy," Sanchez said.
Despite lapses in concentration, Argentina were always in control and coach Michael Cheika was looking forward to the Japan game.
"They are a great team, they are quarter-finalists from the last World Cup and we're not so we're very hungry to be in that position," Cheika said.
His Chile counterpart Pablo Lemoine was grateful for the World Cup experience as the South American country were taking part for the first time.
"It was an amazing month here. This Rugby World Cup has given us a lot and put Chilean rugby on a different path. We expected the World Cup to help Chilean rugby and we did it," he said.
At Nantes' La Beaujoire stadium, Sanchez, the team's all-time top scorer with 872 points, put Argentina ahead with an early converted try, diving over after a nice dummy.
He added a penalty before number eight Gonzalez crossed from a maul as did hooker Creevy for the Pumas' third midway through the opening half.
Rodrigo Isgro's yellow card for a high tackle on Rodrigo Fernandez slowed Argentina's progression and no other points were scored before halftime.
Having nothing to lose, Chile came back from the dressing room with a very offensive mindset but were caught cold when Bogado beat Inaki Ayarza's tackle for Argentina's fourth try.
The crowd went wild when Chile's Augusto Bohme touched down after a clever lineout, only for the try to be ruled out for a forward pass.
Argentina were ruthless, Isgro adding another try as he dotted down under the posts before Gonzalez claimed a double.
Dussaillant finally put Chile on the scoreboard to send their many fans wild, but they faced a fierce backlash as Ruiz and Carreras crossed to complete Argentina's crushing win.
- Reuters