Scotland V Fiji: Live Match Report

Scotland V Fiji: Live Match Report

Churchill Park, Lautoka Saturday 16 June, kick-off 2pm local time (3am BST)Full time: Scotland 37-25 Fiji Run of play, belowNearly 30 degrees here in Lautoka and the teams are lining up for the anthems. Ford and Talei introduce their teams and the bagpipes strike up for the anthem. And we’re off – Fiji take the kick-off, first advantage to Scots after Fiji pinged for offside.Penalty to Fiji and Ralulu slots it to put the home side 3-0 ahead in under five minutes, followed a minutes later by a further three-pointer from Ralulu – 6-0. Scotland are penalised for not releasing and Ralulu lines up the kick from over 50m out – this time it’s just short – ten minutes gone. Good work in the scrum from the Scots and a spot-on lineout throw from Ford see Scotland progress upfield – Evans makes a break, Blair, Laidlaw, Scott and Visser making the numbers and harrying the Fiji line. Laidlaw leaps around the outside to cross the whitewash then converts his own try to put Scotland ahead 7-6. Penalty try awarded to the Scots, converted by Laidlaw to make it 14-6 to Scotland after 25 minutes.  Scrabble for the line by Fiji and Domolailai claims the five points, Ralulu’s kick goes wide to make it 14-11. Laidlaw then kicks Scotland’s first penalty to increase the lead to 17-11. A pass destined for Hogg is intercepted by the ref and it’s a scrum to the Scots. Good numbers and solid work from Scott, De Luca and Blair lead to Visser crossing in the top corner for a debut try, duly converted by Laidlaw on the half-time whistle to make it 24-11.HT: 24-11 Laidlaw kicks off the second half and first advantage to Fiji – great break by Matawalu comes to nothing, however. cots threaten the line but a forward pass from Hogg halts progress. Penalty in front of the posts to Scotland and Laidlaw nails it to put Scotland 27-11 ahead after 47m.Three minutes lter sustained pressure from the Fijian pack and good work by Talei ends in Nayacalevu crossing the whitewash, the score converted to make it 27-18.Talei orchestrates some great attacking play to put Scotland on the back foot. Laidlaw kicks the ball out as Cusiter replaces Blair for Scotland’s first substitution of the match, closely followed by two Fiji replacements. A great kick to touch by Laidlaw is followed by a missed pass by him and a high tackle from Visser penalises the Scots. Lamont comes on for Evans with 17m to go. Great break, with solid support, and it’s a try for Talebula on his debut, the score converted to make it 27-25 with 12 minutes to go. With 10m to go Murray leaves the pitch injured, replaced by Cross. Fiji infringe and Laidlaw slots the penalty in front of the posts to put Scotland ahead 30-25. Flying Visser then outruns the flying Fijians to score between the posts and extend Scotland’s lead to 37-25 after Laidlaw adds the exras. A promising break from Kenatale but he doesn’t have the legs to finish it off as the clock ticks down.Scotland team (sponsor RBS) to play FijiChurchill Park, Lautoka on Saturday 16 June, kick-off 2pm local time (3am BST)15 Stuart Hogg (Glasgow Warriors)14 Max Evans (Castres) 13 Nick De Luca (Edinburgh Rugby) 12 Matt Scott (Edinburgh Rugby) 11 Tim Visser (Edinburgh Rugby) new cap. Scotland cap number 1032? ?10 Greig Laidlaw (Edinburgh Rugby) ?9 Mike Blair (Edinburgh Rugby) ?1 Ryan Grant (Glasgow Warriors) ?2 Ross Ford (Edinburgh Rugby) Captain?3 Euan Murray (Newcastle Falcons) 4 Alastair Kellock (Glasgow Warriors) 5 Richie Gray (Glasgow Warriors) ?6 Alasdair Strokosch (Gloucester) 7 Ross Rennie (Edinburgh Rugby) ?8 John Barclay (Glasgow Warriors) Substitutes: 16 Scott Lawson (Gloucester) (on for Ford, 77m)17 Geoff Cross (Edinburgh Rugby)(on for Murray, 66m)18 Tom Ryder (Glasgow Warriors) (on for Gray, 78m) new cap. Scotland cap number 103319 Richie Vernon (Sale Sharks) (on for Barclay, 58m)20 Chris Cusiter (Glasgow Warriors) (on for Blair, 55m)21 Duncan Weir (Glasgow Warriors) (on for Laidlaw, 77m)22 Sean Lamont (Scarlets) (on for Evans, 62m)Tries: Laidlaw (16m), penalty try (21m), Visser (36m, 72m)Cons: Laidlaw(17m, 22m, 38m, 73m)Pens: Laidlaw (32m, 46m, 69m)FijiIsimeli Koniferedi; Waisea Nayacalevu, Wereniki Goneva, Aloisio Buto, Watisoni Votu: Jonetai Ralulu, Nikola Matawalu; Jeremaia Yanuyanutawa, Viliame Veikoso, Setefano Somoca, Apisai Naikatini, Leone Nakarawa, Iliese Ratuva, Malakai Ravulo and Netani Talei CaptainSubs (all used)Tuatpati Talemaitoga, Waisea Daveta or Graham Dewes, Josefa Domolailai, Kelepi Ketedromo, Nemia Kenatale, Kameli Ratuvou, Metuisela Talebula.Tries: Domolailai (24m), Nayacalevu (48m), Talebula (64m)Cons: Ralulu (50m, 65m)Pens: Ralulu (5m, 7m)Referee: Jaco Peyper (South Africa).  Assistant referees: Ian Smith and Andrew Lees (both Australia).

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