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The unwanted record that Italy just set
Italy’s wretched losing streak in the Six Nations stretched to a record-breaking 18 matches as Blair Kinghorn scored a hat-trick in a 33-20 victory for Scotland at Murrayfield.
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Without a win in this competition since their triumph in Edinburgh four years ago, Italy have now surpassed France’s run of 17 straight defeats in the Five Nations between 1911 and 1920.
Kinghorn scored two early tries to put his side in control on Saturday and completed his hat-trick – the first by a Scot in the Six Nations – either side of second-half scores for Stuart Hogg and Chris Harris.
The final score in a bonus-point win for the hosts flattered Italy, who crossed three times in the final 10 minutes with Simon Berghan in the sin bin.
3 – Blair Kinghorn is the first player to score a hattrick for @Scotlandteam in the #GuinnessSixNations; the last player to manage that feat for Scotland in the Five Nations was Iwan Tukalo against Ireland in 1989. Triple. pic.twitter.com/rRsVSnetme
— OptaJonny (@OptaJonny) February 2, 2019
Although Italy scored first through a Tommaso Allan penalty, Scotland were clearly superior and moved in front when a glorious cross-field kick from Finn Russell put Kinghorn over in the 11th minute.
Sam Skinner hobbled off in a blow to the hosts, but Kinghorn soon added a second try following a swift move from right to left.
Scrum-half Tito Tebaldi had been a late withdrawal for Italy and they also lost Allan to a head knock as their problems worsened, although the number 10 was able to return before the interval.
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The result was effectively sealed seven minutes into the second half when Tommy Seymour’s break pegged Italy back and Russell produced a neat grubber that Hogg dotted down with the fingertips of his left hand.
Kinghorn showed nice footwork to complete his hat-trick following good work from Jamie Ritchie and Harris added his name to the scoresheet before Italy rallied with the game beyond them. After Berghan had been yellow-carded following a string of infringements, Guglielmo Palazzani, Edoardo Padovani and Angelo Esposito all went over.
PROLIFIC START FOR KINGHORN
Kinghorn now boasts six tries in seven starts for his country. The wing missed the chance to lay on an early score when he was well supported, but soon had a smile on his face after being presented with two routine finishes in the first half. The 22-year-old then produced a stylish step to complete his hat-trick as Scotland surged to victory.
PARISSE MAKES LANDMARK APPEARANCE
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While Kinghorn has only been an international for 12 months, the longevity of Italy skipper Sergio Parisse was highlighted on Saturday as he made his 66th Six Nations appearance – setting a new competition record.
66 – @sergioparisse is set to make a record 66th appearance in the Six Nations (currently level with Brian O’Driscoll on 65), he's also made the most carries and metres in tournament history, as well as making the second most tackles and winning the third most turnovers. Legend. pic.twitter.com/w1U6lKgFo3
— OptaJonny (@OptaJonny) February 2, 2019
KEY OPTA FACT
Scotland have won four successive Six Nations games against Italy. They had never previously managed more than three wins in a row in the competition against one team.
WHAT’S NEXT?
Scotland are set to face a much sterner test of their credentials next Saturday when they welcome Ireland, last year’s Grand Slam winners, to Murrayfield. Italy are at home to Wales, who produced a dramatic comeback to beat France on Friday.
Comments on RugbyPass
It couldn’t have been Ryan Crotty. He wasn’t selected in either World Cup side - they chose Money Bill instead. And Money Bill only cared about himself, and that manager he had, not the team.
25 Go to commentsYawn 🥱 nobody would give a hoot about this new trophy. End of the day we just have to beat Ireland and NZ this year then they can finally shut up 🤐
13 Go to commentsTalking bout Ryan Crotty? Heard Crotty say in a interview once that SBW doesen't care about the team . He went on to say that whenever they lost a big game, SBW would be happy as if nothing happened, according to him someone who cares would look down.. Personally I think Crotty is in the wrong, not for feeling gutted but for expecting others 2 be like him… I have been a bad loser forever as it matters so much to me but good on you SBW for being able to see the bigger picture….
25 Go to commentsThis sounds like a WWE idea so Americans can also get excited about rugby, RUGBY NEEDS A INTERNATIONAL CALENDER .. The rugby Championship and Six Nations can be held at same time, top 3 of six nations and top 3 of Rugby championship (6 nations should include Georgia AND another qualifying country while Fiji, Japan and Samoa/Tonga qualifier should make out 6 Southern teams).. Scrap June internationals and year end tours. Have a Elite top six Cup and the Bottom 6 in a secondary comp….
13 Go to commentsThe rugby championship would be even stronger with Fiji in it… I know it doesen’t fit the long term plans of NZ or Aus but you are robbing a whole nation of being able to see their best players play for Fiji…. Every second player in NZ and AUS teams has Fijian surnames… shame on you!!! World rugby won’t step in either as France and England has now also joined in…. I guess where money is involved it will always be the poor countries missing out….
77 Go to commentsNo surprise there. How hard can it be to pick a ball off the ground and chuck it to a mate? 😂
2 Go to commentsSometimes people just like a moan mate!
1 Go to commentsexcellent idea ! rugby needs this 💪
13 Go to comments9 Brumbies! What a joke! The best performing team in Oz! Ditch Skelton for Swain or Neville. Ryan Lonergan ahead of McDermott any day! Best selection bolter is Toole … amazing player
12 Go to commentsI like this, but ultimately rugby already has enough trophies. Trying to make more games “consequential" might prove to be a fools errand, although this is a less bad idea than some others. Minor quibble with the title of the article; it isn’t very meaningful to say the boks are the unofficial world champions when it would be functionally impossible for the Raeburn trophy not to be held by the world champions. There’s a period of a few months every 4 years when there is no “unofficial” world champion, and the Raeburn trophy is held by the actual world champions.
13 Go to commentsIts a great idea but one that I dont think will have a lot of traction. It will depend on the prestige that they each hold but if you can do that it would be great. When Japan beat the Boks (my team) I was absolutely devestated but I wont deny the great game they played that day. We were outclassed and it was one of the best games of rugby I have seen. Using an idea like this you might just give the the underdog teams more of an opportunity to beat the big teams and I can absolutely see it being a brilliant display of rugby. They beat us because they planned for that game. It was a great moment for Japan. This way we can remove the 4 year wait and give teams something to aim for outside of World Cup years.
13 Go to commentsHi, Dave here. Happy to answer questions 🥰
13 Go to commentsDon’t think that headline is accurate. It’s great to see Aus doing better but I’m not sure they’ve shown much threat to the top of the table. They shouldn’t be inflating wins against the lousy Highlanders and Crusaders either.
3 Go to commentsSuch a shame Roigard and Aumua picked up long term injuries, probably the two form players in the comp. Also, pretty sure Clarke Dermody isn’t their coach. Got it half right though.
3 Go to commentsOh the Aussie media, they never learn. At least Andrew Kellaway is like “Woah, yeah it’s great, but settle down there guys” having endured years of the Aussie media, fans, and often their players getting ahead of themselves only to fall flat on their faces. Have the “We'll win the Bledisloe for sure this year!” headlines started yet? It’s simple to see what’s going on. The Aussie teams are settled, they didn't lose any of their major players overseas. The Crusaders and Chiefs lost key experienced All Blacks, and Razor in the Crusaders case, and clearly neither are anywhere near as strong as last year (The Canes and Blues would probably be 3rd & 4th if they were). The Highlanders are annually average, even more so post-Aaron Smith and a big squad clean out. The two teams at the top? The two nz sides with largely the same settled roster as last year, except Ardie Savea for the Canes. They’ve both got far better coaches now too. If the Aussies are going to win the title, this is the year the kiwi sides will be weakest, so they better take their chance.
3 Go to commentsThe World Cup has to be the gold standard, line in the sand. 113 teams compete for what is the opportunity to make the pool stages, and then the knockout games for the trophy. The concept is sound. This must have been the rationale when the World Cup was created, surely? But I’m all for Looking forward and finding new ways for the SH to dominate the NH into the future. The autumn series needs a change up. Let’s start by having the NH teams come south every odd year for the Autumn/Spring series games?
13 Go to commentsWhat’ll happen when the AI models of the future go back in time and try to destroy the AI models of the past standing in their way of certain victory?
44 Go to commentsThanks, Nick. We (Seanny Maloney, Brett and I) just discussed Charlie as a potential Wallaby No 8, and wondered if he has truly realised how big he is in contact (and whether he can add 5 kg w/o slowing down). Your scouting report confirms our suspicions he has the materiel. No one knows if he has the mentality (as Johann van Graan said this week about CJ, Duane and Alfie B) to carry 10-15 times a game.
57 Go to commentsHe would be a great player for the Stormers, Dobbo should approach the guy.
3 Go to commentsGood article. A few years back when he was playing for the Cheetahs, he was a quiet standout for exactly the seasons stated here. I occasionally get to see his games in the UK, and he has become a more complete player and in many ways like an Irish player. His work ethic is so suitable to the Leinster game. I wonder if Rassie would have him listed somewhere.
3 Go to comments