Scotland vs Fiji LIVE rugby: Final score and result from autumn international
Gregor Townsend’s side were looking to bounce back at Murrayfield from a narrow defeat to Australia last week
Scotland overcame a first-half scare to beat Fiji 28-12 at Murrayfield on Saturday, outscoring their visitors by four tries to two in a tough, physical contest.
George Turner, Adam Hastings, Duhan van der Merwe and Ben White dotted down for the home team with Hastings adding two conversions and his replacement Blair Kinghorn the other pair.
Fiji’s points all came in an impressive first-half showing, from Setariki Tuicuvu and debutant lock Ratu Leone Rotuisolia with a solitary conversion from Vilimoni Botitu.
Scotland’s superior organisation and fitness proved decisive but they had to weather an early onslaught that suggested with more preparation Fiji might have come closer to an upset. They had just days to prepare after only assembling at the start of the week.
Scotland 21-12 Fiji, 55 minutes
That’s a strong jackal from Jack Dempsey, finding his feet in a Scotland shirt after his previous international life for Australia. Over the top of a tackled Fijian he clamps to earn a penalty. Scotland kick up further into Fijian territory as they seek a fourth.
Scotland 21-12 Fiji, 53 minutes
Fiji’s lineout will need some beautification next week - another nasty one just about ends up in the safe embrace of one of those in white. But the visitors struggle to generate any pep, and a rather aimless kick is gathered by Duhan van der Merwe, who claims a mark.
Scotland 21-12 Fiji, 52 minutes
A third debut of the day for Fiji: Livai Natave replaces Eroni Mawi. Scotland make a handful of changes, too - enter Ben White, Rory Sutherland and Jack Dempsey.
TRY! SCOTLAND 21-12 Fiji (Duhan van der Merwe, 50 minutes)
Duhan van der Merwe crashes over on the left! Fiji’s maul defence is much improved as they keep the Scottish eight from making more than a metre. Ali Price thus extracts the ball, Cameron Redpath dancing between Fiji’s heavy mob to about two metres out.
A Fijian player fails to roll away, robbing a teammate of a picture-perfect jackal turnover penalty, and Scotland have the advantage. Through the hands it goes, Chris Harris missing out Stuart Hogg to find his wing, and the hulking Van der Merwe bashes through Sireli Maqala to score Scotland’s third try. The conversion goes over.
Scotland 14-12 Fiji, 47 minutes
Good from Scotland, using the maul to drive Fiji back from a lineout just outside the 22. Their progress is stalled by a Fijian collapse - Blair Kinghorn stabs into the corner.
Scotland 14-12 Fiji, 46 minutes
A penalty at the scrum allows Scotland to clear to touch. Ali Price looks to the skies...and down it comes in the arm of Duhan van der Merwe with the Fijian backfield static.
Out to the right, space for Stuart Hogg. Onwards to Darcy Graham, who is just about lassoed at the hips by Vinaya Habosi, who uses his momentum to take Graham into touch.
Scotland 14-12 Fiji, 43 minutes
Another Fiji chance goes awry! Hamish Watson and Ewan Ashman combine to stand up Albert Tuisue at a canter, but two phases later it appears Levani Botia might be in the corner as the ball is worked wide.
A forward pass means Botia’s nifty dive inside the flag is in vain.
Scotland 14-12 Fiji, 42 minutes
Biff! That is a mighty hit from Ratu Leone Rotuisolia, technically absolutely perfect as he rearranges Adam Hastings’ midriff. In comes a teammate to earn the holding on penalty, and Hastings is sufficiently shaken to be forced from the field. Blair Kinghorn trots on with Fiji into the Scotland 22.
Scotland 14-12 Fiji, 41 minutes
Botitu kicks long to Darcy Graham, who shows his deceptive strength by pinballing between three tacklers to make ten metres after first contact.
Scotland kick up towards halfway, from where the Fijian heavy artillery will go back to work. Botitu produces a floated miss ball to Waisea Nayacalevu, but Chris Harris tracks the flght and gathers his opposite number as he collects, ushering him out into touch.
H/T: Scotland 14-12 Fiji
Right, the players are back out there at Murrayfield. Can Fiji remain right in this? Vilimoni Botitu will get us restarted as a sour-faced Gregor Townsend is shown on the big screen.
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