Match Report: Scotland 59-10 Fiji

EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND - SEPTEMBER 14: Scotland's Lisa Thomson scores a try during an Autumn Test match between Scotland Women and Fiji at Hive Stadium, on September 14, 2024, in Edinburgh, Scotland. (Photo by Ewan Bootman / SNS Group)

In what was the first meeting of the countries in women’s internationals, Fiji almost threatened an outrageous opener right from the get-go, their winger Adita Milinia scooping the ball up just about on the 10m line and rampaging towards the line, offloading to Sulita Waisega who was bundled out. A warning sign of the earliest nature.

Smart defence by Lisa Thomson held the ball up as Fiji sought those embryonic points, Scotland’s goal-line drop gaining notable distance as the hosts enjoyed a first-half wind.

Thomson’s footballing skills let her down for once when Hive Stadium opened up in front of her, but Scotland had their first territory on the five-minute mark and with the Fijiana hamstrung by the wind, the prospect of kicking their way out of trouble was proving somewhat implausible.

Scotland earned their first penalty when displaying scrum dominance and after Thomson’s touch-finder, the subsequent rumble resulted in a penalty try for Fiji deliberately trying to bring the maul down, Anasimeci Korovata shown a yellow card for her troubles. [7-0, 13 mins].

Jennifer Ravutia’s default was to chip for a chase and it nearly worked a treat when Milinia went on a foray, Fran McGhie covering with plenty to spare. It led to Scotland’s second not long after, Thomson taking a crash ball from Caity Mattinson after good work by Louise McMillan. Meryl Smith landed her opening kick to add the extras [14-0, 17 mins].

Scotland had a third try within a matter of minutes when, after a clever peeled line-out, Mattinson again found the first receiver, in this case Chloe Rollie, who scythed over for a 23^rd international try, converted by Smith once more [21-0, 19 mins].

Fijiana gave their vociferous support something to get excited about when that winger Milinia pounced on a soiled Scottish midfield ball, haring home from inside her own half to redress the balance [21-5, 30 mins, unsuccessful conversion].

It was important that Scotland retaliated with the state of the wind and after some deliberation between referee Maria Latos and her TMO Matteo Liperini, Lana Skeldon was adjudged to have grounded from a line-out maul for a 17^th international try. Smith’s touchline conversion in the conditions was a beauty [28-5, 35 mins].

Bang on the stroke of half-time, Fijiana hauled themselves back into proceedings with that outrageous score that was threatened in the opening seconds of the match. A tap-and-go penalty from scrum-half Evivi Senikarivi saw her slalom through the Scottish scramble defence before offloading to an onrushing Waisega for a truly magical try, the oncversion from which was again missed [28-10, 40 mins].

Half-time: Scotland 28-10 Fiji

Despite competing with both Fiji and the wind for the second half, Scotland got the perfect post-interval fillip when Rachel Malcolm drove through contact and dotted down at full stretch after good work from McMillan, with Smith again converting [35-5, 43 mins].

And it got even better when Fran McGhie gathered a spill by Fijian full-back Luisa Tisolo to ease home for Scotland’s sixth, Smith ensuring her flawless kicking continued with the extras [42-10, 46 mins].

Scotland were in full control by now and when Lucia Scott scampered up the left touchline before being brought down illegally, Mattinson’s quick tap was halted too quickly, bringing another yellow to Fiji, this time for Merewairita Neivosa.

Scott did indeed score a first international try soon after when, after good work by Smith, Evie Gallagher unselfishly played her in from what was centimetres out on the left. Smith’s conversion miss was a first blemish of an otherwise stellar kicking display [47-10, 55 mins].

Rhona Lloyd had been fairly quiet on the right wing but sprung into life with a scintillating score, receiving the ball out wide right on her 22 after some neat hands from Thomson and Smith, before eyeing up the lung-bursting prospect of the Fijian line and deciding to back her pace to get the job done, skirting around defenders en route to a crowd-pleasing eighth Scottish try. Smith converted [54-10, 59 mins].

With the game long since won, scrappiness crept in to two tiring teams, Scotland’s efforts into the elements taking their toll and Fiji waning in the face of a comprehensive defeat.

Yet there was time for Lisa Thomson to grab her second try from close range to take Scotland to the cusp of 100 points for the two-match Vodafone Series. [59-10, 76 mins]

Fiji got the game’s final score when Vika Matarugu burrowed over at the last to offer some late cheer to the visiting support, with a third conversion going awry. [59-15, 80 mins].

Full-time: Scotland 59-15 Fiji

Scotland Women: Chloe Rollie (Ealing Trailfinders), Rhona Lloyd (Les Lionnes du Stade Bordelais/GB Sevens), Emma Orr (Bristol Bears), Lisa Thomson (Eailing Trailfinders/GB Sevens), Francesca McGhie (Leicester Tigers); Meryl Smith (Bristol Bears), Caity Mattinson (Ealing Trailfinders); Anne Young (Loughborough Lightning), Lana Skeldon, Elliann Clarke (both Bristol Bears), Louise McMillan (Saracens), Sarah Bonar (Harlequins), Rachel Malcolm © (Loughborough Lightning), Rachel McLachlan (Montpellier), Jade Konkel (Harlequins).

Replacements: Elis Martin Loughborough Lightning) (for Skeldon, 53 mins), Lisa Cockburn (Gloucester-Hartpury) (for Young, 53 mins), Christine Belisle (Loughborough Lightning) (for Clarke, 53 mins), Eva Donaldson (Leicester Tigers) (for McMillan, 59 mins], Evie Gallagher (Bristol Bears) (for Konkel, 46 mins), Leia Brebner-Holden (Gloucester-Hartpury/Cheltenham Tigers) (for Mattinson, 59 mins], Helen Nelson (Loughborough Lightning) (for Orr, 52 mins) , Lucia Scott (Hartpury university/Gloucester-Hartpury) (for McGhie, 46 mins).

Fiji Women: Luisa Tisolo, Merewairita Neivosa, Talei Wilson, Litiana Lawedrau, Adita Milinia; Jennifer Ravutia, Evivi Senikarivi; Bilita Wawake, Kelei Marawa, Anasimeci Korovata, Mereoni Nakesa, Asinate Serevi, Nunia Daunimoala Sulita Waisega, Karalaini Naisewa ©

Replacements: Vika Matarugu, Loraini Senivutu, Tiana Robanakadavu, Aviame Veidreyaki, Alisi Galo, Kolora Lomani, Repeka Tove. Ivamere Nabura.

Referee:  Maria Latos (GER)
AR 1: Alexandra Ferré (FFR)
AR 2:  Marie Clotilde Benvenuit (FIR)
TMO:  Matteo Liperini (FIR)

Player of the Match: Meryl Smith (Scotland)

Attendance: 2348