Autumn Nations Series – Scotland’s Early Blitzkrieg Secure Win Over Game Fiji

 

Scotland secured a dominant and record-breaking 57-17 against Fiji, scoring eight tries to the three of Fiji. Scotland will host the Springboks next weekend and will have to up their game to beat the World Champions.

Scotland started like a house on fire and led 26-00 before Fiji scored two tries during the final ten minutes of the first half to cut Scotland's lead to 29-10 at the halftime break. Fiji were dominant in the second half and reduced Scotland's lead to 29-17 before Scotland regained dominance to score four extra tries during the final twenty-odd minutes.

Scotland dominated the opening stages and scored their first try when Kyle Rowe crashed over the Fiji tryline after spreading the ball wide from a five-meter lineout to lead 07-00 after ten minutes of play.

Darcy Graham scored a brilliant try when Scotland attacked around the blindside. Graham was the last to handle the ball and scored Scotland's second try against Fiji, who were down to fourteen players at that stage.

Darcy Graham added another moment of brilliance to add a second try, gathering his own grubber to score in the corner to extend Scotland's lead to 19-00 after twenty minutes of play in the first half.

A minute later Huw Jones scored the fourth try, after intercepting a loose pass by Fiji to extend Scotland's lead to 26-00.

Fiji scored a deserved try when Isaiah Ravula bulldozed his way over Scotland's tryline following Fiji setting up camp in Scotland's red zone for an extended period. Desperate Scotland's defence held off several attacks from Fiji.

With three minutes to play in the first half, Adam Hastings converted a penalty to extend Scotland's lead to 29-05.

However, Fiji were not done and flanker Ratu Meli Derenalagi bulldozed his way over for Fiji's second try to reduce Scotland's lead to 29-10, which was the score going into the second half.

Fiji struck first in the second half when Fiji attacked around the front of the lineout, catching Scotland sleeping, to score their third try when captain Tevita Ikanivere strolled over to reduce Scotland's lead to 29-17.

Scotland was shocked back into life with the last try from Fiji and Darcy Graham scored his hat-trick following most of Scotland's players handling the ball before Graham scored.

Darcy Graham added his fourth try minutes later as the blue wave of Scotland threatened to wash Fiji away to lead 43-17 with sixteen minutes to play.

Duhan van der Merwe and Huw Jones scored during the final ten minutes to secure a record-breaking 57-17 win.

Scorers:
Scotland: Tries: Kyle Rowe, Darcy Graham (4), Huw Jones (2), Duhan van der Merwe. Conversions: Adam Hastings (7). Penalty: Adam Hastings.
Fiji: Tries: Isaiah Ravula, Ratu Meli Derenalagi, Tevita Ikanivere. Conversion: Caleb Muntz.

Teams:

Scotland: 15 Kyle Rowe, 14 Darcy Graham, 13 Huw Jones, 12 Sione Tuipulotu (c), 11 Duhan van der Merwe, 10 Adam Hastings, 9 Ali Price, 8 Jack Dempsey, 7 Rory Darge, 6 Matt Fagerson, 5 Scott Cummings, 4 Grant Gilchrist, 3 Zander Fagerson, 2 Ewan Ashman, 1 Pierre Schoeman. Replacements: 16 Dylan Richardson, 17 Rory Sutherland, 18 D’Arcy Rae, 19 Max Williamson, 20 Gregor Brown, 21 Jamie Dobie, 22 Tom Jordan, 23 Stafford McDowall.

Fiji: 15 Isaiah Ravula, 14 Vuate Karawalevu, 13 Apisalome Vota, 12 Inia Tabuavou, 11 Ponipate Loganimasi, 10 Caleb Muntz, 9 Frank Lomani; 8 Elia Canakaivata, 7 Kitione Salawa, 6 Ratu Meli Derenalagi, 5 Ratu Leone Rotuisolia, 4 Isoa Nasilasila, 3 Samuela Tawake, 2 Tevita Ikanivere (c), 1 Haereiti Hetet. Replacements: 16 Mesulame Dolokoto, 17 Livai Natave, 18 Jone Koroiduadua, 19 Mesake Vocevoce, 20 Vilive Miramira, 21 Simi Kuruvoli, 22 Kemueli Valetini, 23 Waqa Nalaga.