Fiji vs Scotland - Second Summer Test - Teams and Live match thread

[RDW]

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Fiji vs Scotland - Second Summer Test - Teams and Live match thread

Fiji v Scotland

Churchill Park, Lautoko, Fiji
June 16: Kick off: 3.00am (BST)

Referee: Jaco Peyper (South Africa)
Assistant referees: Ian Smith, Andrew Lees (both Australia)

Weather: 25 degrees and sunny (although was p!ssing down earlier in the week): http://www.bbc.co.uk/weather/2204506?day=2

FIJI:

15 Isimeli Koniferedi
14 Waisea Nayacalevu
13 Wereniki Goneva
12 Aloisio Buto
11 Watisoni Votu
10 Jonetai Ralulu
9 Nikola Matawalu
8 Netani Talei (c)
7 Malakai Ravulo
6 Iliese Ratuva
5 Leone Nakarawa
4 Apisai Naikatini
3 Setefano Somoca
2 Viliame Veikoso
1 Jeremaia Yanuyanutawa.

Replacements:
16 Tuatpati Talemaitoga
17 Waisea Daveta/Graham Dewes
18 Josefa Domolailai
9 Kelepi Ketedromo
20 Nemia Kenatale
21 Kameli Ratuvou
22 Metuisela Talebula.

SCOTLAND:

15 Stuart Hogg
14 Max Evans
13 Nick De Luca
12 Matt Scott
11 Tim Visser
10 Greig Laidlaw
9 Mike Blair

1 Ryan Grant
2 Ross Ford
3 Euan Murray
4 Alastair Kellock
5 Richie Gray
6 Alasdair Strokosch
7 Ross Rennie
8 John Barclay

Replacements:
16 Scott Lawson
17 Geoff Cross
18 Tom Ryder
19 Richie Vernon
20 Chris Cusiter
21 Duncan Weir
22 Sean Lamont

Last 6 Results:

Fiji

Wales - Fiji 66-0
Fiji - Samoa 7-27
South Africa - Fiji 49-3
Fiji - Namibia 49-25
New Zealand - Fiji 60-14
Italy - Fiji 24-16

Scotland

6-9 Australia - Scotland
13-6 Italy - Scotland
32-14 Ireland - Scotland
17-23 Scotland - France
27-13 Wales - Scotland
6-13 Scotland - England

Build up threads:
https://www.606v2.com/t30529-scotland-team-vs-fiji

[AsLongAsBut100ofUs]

Ryder gets his first cap too

[KickAndChase]

Caps for the sake of it now ... hate that. Makes it look like Weir has played 2 matches for us. He has not.

[Gibson]

Supporting Scotland does, at times, feel like a cult.

Mindless devotion, blind faith, and the occasional urge to sacrifice a virgin.

Ah now, virgins are always on the table Ian. In all fairness.

You know what, all this time, I have *never* noticed it was IanBru instead of IrnBru... wow. Mind blown.

WHAT? Me too. Dyslexia rools.

Devastated.moc

[AsLongAsBut100ofUs]

Ooh, not sure that came off an arm?

[KickAndChase]

Cooseeter's looked pretty good with the exception of the pass

[KickAndChase]

Final score:

Fiji 25 - 37 Scotland

Tries: Laidlaw, Penalty, Visser 2
Take that.

[AsLongAsBut100ofUs]

8 point win. Not the greatest display, but a banana skin of a fixture - will take that

[Guest]

I see Al 'Ritchie Gray' Kellock is replaced by Ryder, although with about two minutes left to play, you kind of wonder what the point is.

[RDW]

Well a wins a win, and 2 tries from Visser is great!

Still not great though.

Well I'm off to bed guys - it's been good banter and I'm sure we'll discuss it to death today!

[George Carlin]

TIME UP.

Phew. Worth it in the end.

Now I know why Harley wasn't selected. The ginger chap would have burned like a strip of magnesium out there.

[KickAndChase]

8 point win. Not the greatest display, but a banana skin of a fixture - will take that

Not sure of your math ASBO ... maybe you need a lie down

[RuggerRadge2611]

that'll do, it could have been a lot worse! bed time again!

Night Night lads! Thanks for the company!

[Guest]

8 point win. Not the greatest display, but a banana skin of a fixture - will take that

12 point win?

Well, four tries matches our total haul for the Six Nations, so I'm pretty chuffed. Good run for Visser, although a quiet game for some of the lads (Hogg in particular didn't seem to pop up much).

All in all, happy with the way we played, although we always just seem to be skirting with disaster.

Right, back to bed now!

[KickAndChase]

Night all. Was a good laugh. Nice to come into a game expecting to win it and ... well, win it.

Only midnight here sensible time to sleep

[Gibson]

Hard-fought win Scotland. They are a dangerous team in the Sun.

2 from 2 daaawn-souf. Believe.

See ye later lads. On to Youporn now. Johnny Sexton does the HC.

[George Carlin]

Nice to see the big circle at the end.

King of Glasgow - I am assuming that it would be a violation of the rule to have two 'Al Kellock's out there.

[George Carlin]

I see they gave up on trying to understand Fordy's Kelso accent...

[aucklandlaurie]

just watching that you cant help but get the impression that all the Scottish players were enjoying themselves.
Perhaps this tour as a team building and develop a culture exercise might be just the thing that Scotland needs, rather than say coming here or SA and getting absolutely caned. Which achieves nothing for either team.
I bet they noticed the change in climate between Lautoka and Newcastle.

[IanBru]

Thanks for a great night chaps. I'm off to bed with Megan Fox.

Believe.

[Taylorman]

Well done scotland. Two from two...amazing contrast in the conditions between the two alright laurie. Good match to kick off the NH SH battles over the next 12 hours or so...

Love this game....!!

[aucklandlaurie]

Its like watching a game in the seventies, but the Fijians didnt seem to be doing much with their flash new laptops.

[maestegmafia]

That was a good result for Scotland. Fiji at home is a tough fixture. The heat there is incredible.

Well done Scotland.

[maestegmafia]

Fiji 25-37 Scotland


Tries
D Domolailai  24' G Laidlaw  16'
W Nayacalevu  48' Penalty Try  21'
M Talebula  64' T Visser  39' 72'

Conversions
J Ralulu  49' 65' G Laidlaw  16' 21' 40' 73'

Penalties
J Ralulu  5' 7' G Laidlaw  34' 46' 69'



Tim Visser got his international career off to a perfect start as his two tries helped Scotland to a hard-fought win over Fiji, their second of the tour.

Scotland led 24-11 at half-time in blistering heat in Lautoka thanks to tries from Greig Laidlaw and Visser which sandwiched a penalty try.

Fiji, for whom Josefa Domolailai crossed in the first period, fought back after the break and got scores from Waisea Nayacalevu and Metuisela Talebula, which put them within two points at 27-25 with 12 minutes to play.

But Visser claimed his second try eight minutes from the end and Laidlaw converted, taking his personal tally to 22, to settle Scotland nerves.

Fiji dished out some huge hits early on and with Scotland failing to control either the ball or their discipline, they soon conceded early penalties, two of which Jonetani Ralulu banged between the posts though he also missed one from inside his own half.

Scotland had hardly seen the ball inside the first quarter but when they did get it, they at last managed to show what they have been threatening all season with a flowing move that sent the ball both ways before Visser, on his debut, was sent clear on the left.

He had support inside and though Al Kellock was caught a yard short, Laidlaw was there to pick up and dive over.

Two minutes later, they were at it again. This time is was Max Evans, the wing, who was stopped short. Fiji killed the ball, and from the resulting penalty Scotland went for the scrum, drove almost to the line and were awarded a penalty try when Fiji illegally kicked the ball out inches before it crossed the line.

Laidlaw converted both but it was not the start of a Scottish try-fest, the next score coming at the opposite end of the park where scrum-half Nikola Matawalu nipped through the side of a ruck and slipped the ball inside to Domolailai, the replacement flanker, who was waiting to crash over.

Ralulu missed the conversion, and Scotland were able to stretch their lead with a Laidlaw penalty before the moment all Scottish fans had been waiting for - Visser's first try in Scotland colours.

It was set up by another immense scrum drive, before the ball was released wide and Nick De Luca gave him the sort of space that he was never going to squander.

Comfortably ahead at the break, the question was whether Scotland would wilt in the heat or press home their advantage.

A brilliant solo break from Matawalu threatened a Fiji fightback, but Evans got back to save his side before Laidlaw extended the lead with a penalty.

They needed it too as Watisoni Votu made a superb solo break to create the threat, finished on the other side of the field by Nayacalevu.

Suddenly Fiji had their tails up and the crowd started to get into the game, rousing the players who started to show all the fluency and imagination for which they are famed.

Somehow Scotland held firm for a while but the brilliance of the Fijians could not be denied.

A high kick was tapped back to support and centre Vereniki Goneva raced through the Scotland defence before finding Talebula, the replacement full-back, for a run to the line from a move that had started on their own 22.

For all their attacking flair, Fiji can still self destruct, and their failure to handle a high kick under pressure from Matt Scott presented Visser with simple run-in for his second try, to wrap up a nervy but satisfying win for Scotland.

[R!skysports]

Thanks for that.

Love the fact the BBC does not even have the score up yet - shocking

[TJ1]

Thanks for the commentary chaps

[Biltong]

Congrats scotland, sadly couldn't see the game, hopefully somewhere highlights will be available.Can anyone that watched the game tell me their overall impression of how Visser has done?

[Guest]

He did reasonably well, scored two nice tries, but his defensive frailties came to the fore. He was responsible for one try and conceded a penalty which brought Fiji within a few points. On the whole, though, an impressive debut.

[HERSH]

Well done Scotland on their 2pt win!

[RuggerRadge2611]

Well done Scotland on their 2pt win!

Good one Hersh!

[George Carlin]

Well done Scotland on their 2pt win!

Arithmetic perhaps not a major strength?

[funnyExiledScot]

My ESPN recording it utterly rubbish, and for some reason stops at half time!!

Going to need to rewatch at 2pm and hope they have pictures for the second half.

Scrappy first half. A couple of nice moments (good execution for the Visser try and scrum looked decent for the penalty try) but judging by the comments above, the main postitive is that we won the game. We certainly didn't manage to control the game much in the first half.

Still, I'd have taken two from two, and the new players, Scott and Visser, will take quite a bit from that. Big challenge against Samoa coming up.

[RDW]

Ooft - managed to get a few more hours sleep after the game but feeling rough now!

Well my over-riding feeling is still a wins a win. 4 tries, Visser scores 2, some young guys get some more experience so can't really complain.

Our backs looked pretty good but the forwards were very laboured and slow. Can't help but think if we had Kelly Brown and Denton in there we would have seen a much more dynamic display from the forwards.

Great credit to the Fijians though - those guys can run!

[123456789]

I thought our backs looked pretty tame mostly, they just passed it to the wings and hoped for space; although at points they showed a lot of potential. I think we need to attack from deeper and run with more speed. Some of our offloading was superb.

[RuggerRadge2611]

Aye that staffer commentator endlessly called them the flying Fijians.

I agree with some more grunt and strong carrying I think we would have been more comfortable.

[123456789]

My favourite moment was that apparently Richie Gray has become Alastair Kellock who plays for Glasgow Rangers. I expect signing one of the world's best rugby players is the sort of shrewd business move that got them in the situation in the first place!

[funnyExiledScot]

Can't help but think if we had Kelly Brown and Denton in there we would have seen a much more dynamic display from the forwards.

I've still only seen the 1st half but I agree with this. It wasn't really the sort of game to have two opensides on the pitch, and whilst Strokosch is a tough cookie, and perfect for the conditions we had against the Aussies, he isn't really dynamic or mobile enough to make the most of this sort of game.

Denton would have thrived in those conditions, as would Beattie. Big abrasive ball carrying was needed to get us onto the front foot, and then bringing the backs on to the ball at pace. Some nice offloading, but the first Visser try aside, it was all individual one out stuff with little momentum.

Still, by far the most important thing is that we won the game. Now we need three from three, to put something positive at the end of what has otherwise been a poor season for the national side. It'll be more physical still against Samoa, and we'll need to be sharper. Think I'd make some changes to the team. Will ponder further.

[RDW]

He should have brought Cross on long before Murray eventually limped off injured - Murray was blowing by about 50 mins and really was only showing up in the scrums.

We've criticised Robinson for too many subs in the past, but I really think Ryder, Vernon and Cross should have come on a lot earlier.

[AsLongAsBut100ofUs]

Can't help but think if we had Kelly Brown and Denton in there we would have seen a much more dynamic display from the forwards.

I've still only seen the 1st half but I agree with this. It wasn't really the sort of game to have two opensides on the pitch, and whilst Strokosch is a tough cookie, and perfect for the conditions we had against the Aussies, he isn't really dynamic or mobile enough to make the most of this sort of game.

Denton would have thrived in those conditions, as would Beattie. Big abrasive ball carrying was needed to get us onto the front foot, and then bringing the backs on to the ball at pace. Some nice offloading, but the first Visser try aside, it was all individual one out stuff with little momentum.

Still, by far the most important thing is that we won the game. Now we need three from three, to put something positive at the end of what has otherwise been a poor season for the national side. It'll be more physical still against Samoa, and we'll need to be sharper. Think I'd make some changes to the team. Will ponder further.

fES, two spot on points - am slightly concerned by the first one, too often we let ourselves get fooled into playing the Fijian way, and i think if we fall into that trap against Samoa, they will punish us more ruthlessly. Think you're correct on the second one too, we're going to have to look at some different options - I also will need to digest before reverting with Plan C!

[RDW]

anyone gonna watch it again??

[yappysnap]

Just tuned in, thought I was watching a 70's match on ESPN classics!

It's all a bit odd at the moment...

[RDW]

Again interesting to see Visser crediting De Luca with his tries - especially the firs tone. Whatever you say about De Luca - he does set up a lot of tries for Visser!

[yappysnap]

Any one know what the crowd size was for the game?

I hope more NH sides do this tour in the future.

[RDW]

15000

[KickAndChase]

On another note lads, reading the Welsh, English and to a lesser extent Irish threads, I am so glad on the basis of this thread in comparison that I am Scottish and get to hang out here.

[IanBru]

On another note lads, reading the Welsh, English and to a lesser extent Irish threads, I am so glad on the basis of this thread in comparison that I am Scottish and get to hang out here.

Well said - I could chat about rugby anywhere, but it's the personalities here that really make 606 what it is.

Here's to you guys

[TJ1]

Watched the game in full. Scotland played an offloading / attacking game which could have cost them - but wa nice to see. Visser was tentative compared to playing for Edinburgh - just patrolled his wing mainly rather than popping up all over the field so a lot more to come from him when he has some more games / confidence. laidlaw looked assured, forwards did their thing, Gray outstanding. NDL did some good stuff. Hogg some good runs as well

Good win against a diffficult team

[RDW]

On another note lads, reading the Welsh, English and to a lesser extent Irish threads, I am so glad on the basis of this thread in comparison that I am Scottish and get to hang out here.

Well said - I could chat about rugby anywhere, but it's the personalities here that really make 606 what it is.

Here's to you guys

Amen to that!

[AsLongAsBut100ofUs]

On another note lads, reading the Welsh, English and to a lesser extent Irish threads, I am so glad on the basis of this thread in comparison that I am Scottish and get to hang out here.

Well said - I could chat about rugby anywhere, but it's the personalities here that really make 606 what it is.

Here's to you guys

Amen to that!

+1

PS I miss c21st's rants tho!!

[RuggerRadge2611]

Yeah, where is 21st? Did he get the hump after everyone had a go about his endless ranting.

[RuggerRadge2611]

Oh and I love the banter with you guys

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