THE Flying Fijians soared in Suva on Saturday, defeating Scotland in their first home encounter since 2017.
An estimated 10,000 people attended the HFC Stadium to witness the spectacle, among them a small but vocal contingent of Scottish fans.
The match started with the beating of a lali (traditional wooden drum) as a battle cry in what will become a feature of all home games. This ancient custom has been taken from the people of Naqeledamu Village, Tailevu, who were at the match.
Scotland fly half Fergus Burke kicked off high and deep into the Fijian half,
showing an early intention of using a territorial game plan. Still buzzing from the effects of their anthem, Flower of Scotland, the Scottish boys were in for a try after just two minutes.
A quick spread of the ball from a stagnant maul saw the backline work their set plays and with two swift passes, fullback Kyle Rowe broke through for the try.
Scotland 7-Fiji 0.
Scotland continued the strong momentum to push forward for more points, forcing Fiji to regroup quickly. Fiji’s forward pack finally found its rhythm with Elia Canakaivata leading the charge. Canakaivata had a fantastic outing at openside flanker. He was ruthless in attack and ferocious in defence.
Fiji’s star-studded backline included Sireli Maqala, Kalaveti Ravouvou, Jiuta
Wainiqolo and the man known in rugby circle as Josua “The Bus” Tuisova. Eventually they started to read and take apart the Scottish defensive line.
A few opportunities were missed when passes failed to stick for the Fijians. Wainiqolo, Ravouvou and fullback Salesi Rayasi linked well in the back three.
Finally, Scotland caved in and conceded a penalty in the 21st minute. Caleb Muntz slotted in the kick.
Scotland 7-Fiji 3
Isoa Nasilasila and Temo Mayanavanua combined well in the second row,
solid in the tackles and towering at lineout time. Blindside flanker Lekima
Tagitagivalu was brilliant. He was always in support whenever a clean break was made.
In the 35th minute a good lineout and driving maul had captain
Tevita Ikanivere cross over for his team. Muntz missed the conversion.
Fiji 8-Scotlnd 7
With a minute remaining in the half, Tuisova ran a decoy line from behind a maul, popped the ball back to Muntz who sent a long pass to Rayasi whose task was to draw the last Scottish defender before handing off to Ravouvou for the try. Muntz converted.
Fiji 15-Scotand 7
Indiscipline became a problem for the visitors with yellow cards to hooker
Ewan Ashman (10th minute) and right wing Darcy Graham (34th minute).
After the break, Scotland appeared to be back on track and captain Grant Gilchrist was superb in the set pieces and lineouts. Scotland’s forward pack muscled up the middle with Ashwan making amends for his first half mistakes. Then a quick ball out wide saw inside center Tom Jordan score Scotland’s second try, followed by a successful conversion from Burke.
Fiji 15-Scotland 14
On a cool afternoon, the hosts turned up the heat. Left winger Jiuta Wainiqolo played one of the best games of his career and the crowd would erupt every time he had possession.
Wainiqolo dazzled his opponents with flashy footwork, incredible speed, a powerful hand-off and the presence of mind to know what to do. Scotland found it hard to tackle him each time.
After a period of continued possession, an inside pass by Muntz saw Wainiqolo beat three
Scottish defenders and outpace two more before diving over for a try in the 59th minute. Muntz converted.
Fiji 22-Scotland 14
Incredible scenes followed soon after the restart as Tuisova and Wainiqolo linked up and ran the ball from deep within Fiji’s danger zone. It looked like it was going to be another beautiful Fijian flair try but amazingly Burke and Rowe managed to stop “The Bus.” The tackle had the crowd on their feet.
Fiji maintained pressure were rewarded with a penalty try in the 66th minute. Darcy Graham received his second yellow in the process, earning himself an early exit. Scotland played the last 14 minutes with 14 men.
Fiji 29-Scotland 14
Fiji’s number 8, Viliame Mata, was a standout player, showing great composure and
leadership from the back of the scrum and tremendous power in the tackles. Mata was replaced by Albert Tuisue late in the game.
Scotland could not recover from Fiji’s onslaught as the game slipped away.
Flying Fijians head coach, Mick Byrne, was pleased with the result and the players’ efforts during preparation.
“I’m really happy and proud of them,’’ Byrne said.
Captain Tevita Ikanivere praised the visitors.
“We thank Scotland for coming down to Fiji,” Ikanivere said.
“I think they are the only Tier One nation that always comes down to battle us in Fiji. We are (also) grateful to all our fans, families and friends for making today a success.”