Scotland Suffer Costly Loss To Fiji In Suva

Fiji: 29 (15)

Tries: Ikanivere, Ravouvou, Wainiqolo, Penalty Try Cons: Muntz 2 Pens: Muntz

Scotland: 14 (7)

Tries: Rowe, Jordan Cons: Burke 2

Darcy Graham was sent disconnected arsenic Scotland suffered a bruising nonaccomplishment to four-try Fiji successful Suva, pinch their hopes of getting a favourable World Cup tie earnestly dented.

Despite scoring aft only 3 minutes, nan Scots spent astir of nan crippled connected nan backmost foot, conceding punishment aft penalty.

Graham was sin-binned successful nan first half for tackling a subordinate earlier he had nan shot and saw reddish aft a 2nd yellow-card infringement, which besides resulted successful a punishment try.

The nonaccomplishment to Fiji, classed ninth successful nan world, will costs Scotland world rankings points and apt push them extracurricular nan apical six erstwhile nan World Cup tie is made successful December.

Taking connected Fiji successful their ain backmost gait was ne'er going to beryllium an easy feat, but Scotland sewage disconnected to nan champion imaginable commencement arsenic Graham put Kyle Rowe done a spread pinch nan full-back scoring aft only 3 minutes.

That was astir arsenic bully arsenic it sewage for nan visitors. Marched backmost by repeated infringements and ferocious ball-carrying, hooker Ewan Ashman was binned and Caleb Muntz kicked a penalty.

The last 5 minutes of nan first half were costly. Graham was carded and Fiji scored doubly to return nan lead astatine nan break.

Firstly, a Fijian line-out collapsed done nan Scottish barricades and skipper Tevita Ikanivere touched down. Moments later, they had different line-out heavy successful Scotland's camp, but this clip they went wide and winger Kalaveti Ravouvou cantered over.

Into nan second-half and again it was nan Scots who drew first blood. Ashman collapsed and was tap-tackled conscionable short, but nan shot was shovelled wide for Tom Jordan to score. Fergus Burke nailed nan conversion and nan spread was narrowed to 1 point.

Scotland would not beryllium backmost successful point-scoring territory for a agelong time.

Jiuta Wainiqolo's individual magic put nan hosts backmost successful nan driving seat, pinch nan Toulon winger dancing done 3 tackles connected his measurement to nan line.

Graham's reddish paper really ended nan crippled for Scotland. Trying to intercept connected his ain line, he was excessively eager and went early. In an offside position, he was nan only defender and, though he intercepted and cleared, it was brought backmost for a punishment effort and a 2nd yellow.

Although nan visitors were capable to get into nan Fijian 22m a fewer times, nan harm was done and now Scotland look different reliable World Cup group successful 2027.

Fiji: Rayasi, Ravouvou, Maqala, Tuisova, Wainiqolo; Muntz, Kuruvoli; Mawi, Ikanivere (c), Doge, Nasilasila, Mayanavanua, Tagitagivalu, Canakaivata, Mata.

Replacements: Matavesi, Hetet, Tawake, Vocevoce, Tuisue, Wye, Armstrong-Ravula, Botitu.

Scotland: Rowe, Graham, Redpath, Jordan, Steyn; Burke, Dobie; Sutherland, Ashman, Millar Mills, Sykes, Gilchrist, Ritchie, Darge (c), M Fagerson.

Replacements: Turner, Hepburn, Hurd, Williamson, Bayliss, Horne, Hastings, Smith.

Referee: Ben O'Keeffe (New Zealand)