Source: Talei Matairakula Fiji Times. AFTER eight long years, the Flying Fijians celebrated their third win over Scotland before 10,000 plus fans on home soil at the HFC Bank Stadium in Suva.
The Flying Fijians once again showed they are a force at Test level, putting Gregor Townsend’s side to the sword on a scoreline of 29-14 to get their Test season back on a winning track
Fiji Head Coach Mick Byrne made just two changes from the team that was beaten 21-18 by Australia in the dying minutes in Newcastle last week.
Scotland had a perfect start scoring just three minutes into the match with Kyle Rowe going over the tryline for a 7-0 lead.
Fiji had multiple chances to hit back but, just like the Test against Australia, their handling errors haunted them.
Winger Jiuta Wainiqolo had a good chance out on the left flanks but the Scots held their defence well to bundle him out to touch.
After more than 19 minutes of play, Fiji won a much-needed penalty and Caleb Muntz sent the ball between sticks to bring the scores to 3-7.
Set-piece was one of the team’s weakness against the Aussies and it was pleasing to see their improvement especially in the lineouts.
The home team was able to build on this with captain Tevita Ikanivere going over in the 34th minute of play as Fiji took the lead 8-7.
Not long after, the Fijians were on the board again, spreading the ball out wide, five meters out from Scotland’s tryline for Kalaveti Ravouvou to cruise over.
Fiji led 15-7 at halftime.
The second half started in similar fashion to the first with Scotland having the first say through inside centre Tom Jordan.
Starved of possession, Mick Byrne’s men fought hard in the breakdown to force precious turnovers.
With ball in hand and after a few phases, Muntz delivered a well-timed inside pass to Wainiqolo who did just enough to brush off the defenders and pull one back as Fiji extended their lead 22-14.
Things got worse for the visitors when Darcy Graham copped a red card for a deliberate offside call.
Referee Ben O’Keeffe deemed the wing had prevented a probable Fijian try.
As fatigue crept in, the Flying Fijians held on defensively to secure the 29-14 win.
It was Fiji’s third win over the Scots — all having been achieved in Suva — while Scotland have won the other eight Tests between the two.
Scotland complete their three-match Pacific tour when they play Samoa in Auckland on Friday.
