Fiji 17-33 Scotland: Scotland fight back to claim victory against Fiji
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Scotland rounded off the first phase of their Nations Championship campaign with a try bonus point victory against Fiji in the sunshine at Scottish Gas Murrayfield this afternoon.
It was an altogether more cohesive performance from the South Sea Islanders than we had seen against England last weekend. Scotland’s bench made the difference at the heart of four second-half tries in 22 minutes, so our players can now enjoy their summer holidays without the metaphorical “rocks under the beach towel.”
Scotland’s tries came from Johnny Gray, Pierre Schoeman, Jamie Dobie (2) and Scott Cummings.
The impetus from the subs was needed, as Fiji had played with defensive steel and attacking pizzazz for much of the first period, leading 17-7 at half-time.
The match was a new record “home” crowd for Fiji with 55,215 spectators. Scotland await the second tranche of fixtures in November – home matches against New Zealand, Australia and Japan – having produced some stellar rugby over their opening three matches. But today was a tough Test match.
Scotland off the back of victory in Argentina and a try bonus point in defeat last weekend against world champions South Africa, returned to Scottish Gas Murrayfield, nominally as the away team, with Fiji, off the back of losses to Wales and England, hosting as part of their drive to fund a purpose-built stadium in Nadi by 2030.
Edinburgh is some 9,900 miles from Suva, the Fiji capital, but a little bit of the South Pacific was brought to EH12 in the pre-match build-up, including the ritual Cibi.
Fiji kicked off towards the railway with Gregor Brown collecting and Fiji spent the 90 seconds thereafter in possession before they spilled the ball in midfield just outside the Scotland 22.
Fiji, who had all kinds of problems at scrum time against England last week, were penalised at the first scrum.
From the lineout, Scotland went through 16 phases, deep into the Fiji 22, with Tom Jordan’s dexterity in retrieving a pass marginally behind him, key to sustaining the move.
From a penalty in the shadow of the Fiji posts, Scotland opted to scrum with Fergus Burke threatening before the islanders infringed at a breakdown five metres out, Burke opting for the touchline. Max Williamson caught but Fiji thwarted the attempt at the driving maul.
Fiji cleared but though they pinched a subsequent Scotland lineout, the first Scotland try was not long delayed. Ollie Smith, wearing a jersey in tribute to the late Scott Hastings, made a sumptuous break, and George Horne ran a typical support line. Scotland recycled and, ultimately, Jonny Gray crashed over for his fifth try for Scotland. Horne converted (0-7, 14 mins).
From the restart, Scotland were penalised. Fiji went to the touchline and from lineout catch and drive, Fiji’s captain Tevita Ikanivere crashed over. Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula missed the conversion (5-7, 16 mins).
Scotland attacked off lineout ball and Darcy Graham stabbed through a kick for Duhan van der Merwe to pursue with purpose. But his opposite number Jiuta Wainiqolo collected audaciously and sparked a thrilling counter-attack which ended with his fellow winger Selestina Ravutaumada outpacing the covering Josh Bayliss to score a cracking unconverted try (10-7, 19 mins).
Into the second quarter and with Scotland seeking to build inside the Fiji 22, Fijian openside Lekima Tagitagivalu conceded their sixth penalty with a head-on-head contact that saw him sent to the sin-bin.
Scotland remained in the Fiji 22 but were getting no change at this stage from their uncompromising defence and when Tom Jordan spilled a pass directed at his nose by Burke, Fiji won a clearing penalty.
Rauvutaumada was all but away as he pursued a kick on the right, but Fiji retained possession and Elia Canakaivata picked up and waltzed through open space behind a breakdown to dive spectacularly for their third try. Armstrong-Ravula converted (17-7, 34 mins).
Tagitagivalu returned, Fiji having won the period when they were short-handed 7-0.
Half-time: Fiji 17-7 Scotland
Neither side made any changes at the interval and though Burke fired a penalty into the Fiji 22, George Horne was turned over from the subsequent lineout possession.
Scotland went early to their bench with four changes of personnel and soon a fifth, as Gray departed for an HIA to be replaced by Scott Cummings. Fiji also saw Tagitagivalu depart on similar medical grounds.
At last, Scotland gave their support something to cheer. From Burke’s penalty to touch, Scotland won the lineout. Jamie Dobie sent Stafford McDowall careering over the advantage line and lovely quick ball was crowned by Pierre Schoeman who dotted down his ninth try for Scotland. Burke converted (17-14, 53 mins).
Scotland, suitably roused, unleashed van der Merwe but Bayliss, who had claimed the 400th try of Gregor Townsend’s reign as Scotland coach last weekend, lost the ball over the whitewash.
For the first time since the 19th minute, Scotland took the lead as Jamie Dobie struck for Scotland after a typically pugnacious thrust from Sione Tuipulotu. Burke converted (17-21, 60 mins).
Seb Stephen joined the fray for his Glasgow Warriors team-mate, Gregor Hiddleston, to make his Scotland debut and become cap number 1240 as Fiji enjoyed a spell of possession.
Van Der Merwe was released from deep in Scotland’s 22 only to be clawed down desperately some 33 metres from the Fiji line.
But Scotland were relentless now and with Tuipulotu pulling the strings and Schoeman at full tilt, Scott Cummings garnered the bonus point try, his fourth for Scotland. Burke converted (17-28, 72 mins).
Better followed. From Dobie’s high kick, van der Merwe pouched, Bayliss supported at pace and Dobie pocketed the pass to collect try number five and his own second of the day. (17-33, 75 mins).
Full time: Fiji 17-33 Scotland
Fiji: Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula; Selestino Ravutaumada, Virimi Vakatawa, Josua Tuisova, Jiuta Wainiqolo; Caleb Muntz, Frank Lomani; Eroni Mawi, Tevita Ikanivere captain, Mesake Doge, Isoa Nasilasila, Temo Mayanavanua, Pita-Gus Sowakula, Lekima Tagitagivalu, Elia Canakaivata
Replacements: Sam Matavesi, Livai Natave for Mawi (47 mins), Peni Ravai, for Doge (47 mins) Mesake Vocevoce for Mayanavanua (60 mins), Kitione Salawa for Tagitagivalue (50 mins), Sam Wye, Isikeli Rabitu for Vakatawa (68 mins)and Salesi Rayasi
Yellow card: Lekima Tagitagivalu (25mins).
Scotland: Tom Jordan (Bristol Bears); Darcy Graham (Edinburgh Rugby), Ollie Smith, Stafford McDowall CAPTAIN, (both Glasgow Warriors), Duhan van der Merwe (Edinburgh Rugby); Fergus Burke (Saracens), George Horne; Rory Sutherland, Gregor Hiddleston (all Glasgow Warriors), D’arcy Rae (Edinburgh Rugby), Jonny Gray (Perpignan), Max Williamson (Glasgow Warriors), Josh Bayliss (Bath Rugby), Freddy Douglas (Edinburgh Rugby), Gregor Brown (Glasgow Warriors).
Replacements: Seb Stephen (Glasgow Warriors) for Hiddleston (66 mins), Pierre Schoeman (Edinburgh Rugby) for Sutherland (47 mins), Zander Fagerson (Glasgow Warriors) for Rae (47 mins) Scott Cummings (Glasgow Warriors) for Gray (49 mins), Liam McConnell (Edinburgh Rugby) for Brown (56 mins), Magnus Bradbury (Edinburgh Rugby) for Williamson (47 mins), Jamie Dobie (Glasgow Warriors) for Horne (47-61 mins and again 70 mins), Sione Tuipulotu (Glasgow Warriors) for Graham (53 mins).
Referee: Matt Carley (England)
Assistant referees: Eoghan Cross (Ireland) and Anthony Woodthorpe (England) TMO: Tual Trainini (France)
FPRO: Leo Colgan (Ireland)
Attendance: 55,215.
Player of the match: Stafford McDowall (Scotland)
