Scotland’s women made it 10 wins in their last 13 Tests with a hard fought 59-15 victory over a physical and unpredictable Fiji side on Saturday at Hive Stadium in the Vodafone Series.
The result sees the Scots heading off to South Africa and their WXV 2 title defence on Thursday in fine fettle.
The match report…
Fiji got off to a flying start, with back-row Asinate Serevi, the daughter of the legendary men’s sevens player Waisale Serevi, leading from the front.
Scotland weathered that storm and then, after a good forward drive post-lineout, the referee awarded a seven-point penalty try and Fiji tighthead prop Anasimeci Korovata was yellow carded.
That was in the 12th minute and, versus 14, five minutes later centre Lisa Thomson barged over for a try. Stand-off Meryl Smith converted and it 14-0.
A lovely pass from Smith then put full-back Chloe Rollie in for her 23rd international try which was converted for 21-0.
A loose ball in midfield was pounced on my Fiji on the half hour mark and winger Adita Milinia ran in for an unconverted score.
Scotland scored try number four, hooker Lana Skeldon scoring after a strong lineout drive and Smith converting to make it 28-5.
Back-row Sulita Waisega scored for Fiji to make it 28-10 at the break.
Scotland needed a fast start to the second half and it came, skipper Rachel Malcolm going over for try number five and Smith converting.
That was in the 43rd minute and three minutes later winger Francesca McGhie scored try number six after good work from loosehead prop Anne Young and centre Emma Orr.
Merewairita Neivosa was then yellow carded for Fiji and sub Lucia Scott, just on the pitch, scored her first Scotland try to make it 47-10.
Just before the hour mark winger Rhona Lloyd ran in her 24th international try from 85 metres and Smith’s extras made it 54-10.
Late on Thomson scored her second try before a late score for Fiji by sub Vika Matarugu with Smith named player of the match.
What they said…
Scotland head coach Bryan Easson: “Fiji gave us that physical contest we were looking for. I thought we stuck at it. We were disciplined and it was a deserved victory for the players, I thought they were excellent.
“I’m very proud of the recent run of results. Everybody has worked really hard and we’ve gone through some lows, but it just shows the resilience of the group and how hard everybody works that we are where we are and the players are putting that on the pitch.
“It was difficult versus Fiji, it was windy, it was gusty, but there was a lot of maturity in that performance.
“That maturity is not just here, it’s been building for the last 13 games.
“The leadership group are exceptional. There was a lot of talk this week but when it mattered it was about action.
“I think we are in a pretty good place heading to South Africa, the attack is really starting to click.”
Scotland captain Rachel Malcolm: “Fiji play quite a unique brand of rugby and it can be easy to get dragged into that and try and do it yourself, but that is not us and I think it is really important heading into WXV 2 that we stick to our own game and keep establishing our own brand of rugby.
“We saw that brand of rugby that we want at times here, we got a bit loose at times, but when we play that fast and accurate style of rugby that we want to we are super effective.
“I think we were more clinical this week that we were against Wales, there is still lots to work on ahead of WXV 2, but that is exciting and a good place to be in.”
Three things that caught the eye…
- Meryl Smith looks comfortable wherever she plays – this was her first start at 10, but she looked like she had just that big more time on the ball than others, set up full-back Chloe Rollie for a try and kicked well.
- Scotland’s back-row options are excellent – skipper Rachel Malcolm started here alongside Rachel McLachlan and Jade Konkel and Evie Gallagher came off the bench. Throw into the mis young openside Alex Stewart and any three from five could comfortably start depending on the opposition.
- Doing it for Emma Wassell – earlier in the week it was revealed that the second-row would be missing WXV 2 with a tumour in her chest. She was with the squad this week and captain Rachel Malcolm, her best friend, said: “Pre-match I always try to stay away from emotion and try to focus on the rugby, but for this one I said that’s out the window and I said to the squad there is one person we need to make proud and that is Emma Wassell. I asked for an emotional performance, I asked for a brave performance and I think that is exactly what I got from the team.”
What’s next…
Scotland will fly off to Cape Town on Thursday with WXV 2 running from late September until October with the team playing three matches, Italy (September 28), Japan (October 5) and Australia (October 12).
Scotland women’s squad and scorers in the Vodafone Series clash with Fiji (there was a seven-point penalty try too)
15 Chloe Rollie (Ealing Trailfinders) (one try)
14 Rhona Lloyd (Les Lionnes du Stade Bordelais/GB Sevens) (one try)
13 Emma Orr (Bristol Bears)
12 Lisa Thomson (Ealing Trailfinders/GB Sevens, V-C) (two tries)
11 Francesca McGhie (Leicester Tigers) (one try)
10 Meryl Smith (Bristol Bears) (six conversions and player of the match)
9 Caity Mattinson (Ealing Trailfinders)
1 Anne Young (Loughborough Lightning)
2 Lana Skeldon (Bristol Bears) (one try)
3 Elliann Clarke (Bristol Bears)
4 Louise McMillan (Saracens)
5 Sarah Bonar (Harlequins)
6 Rachel Malcolm (Loughborough Lightning, C) (one try)
7 Rachel McLachlan (Montpellier)
8 Jade Konkel (Harlequins)
Subs all used
16 Elis Martin (Loughborough Lightning)
17 Lisa Cockburn (Gloucester-Hartpury)
18 Christine Belisle (Loughbrough Lightning)
19 Eva Donaldson (Leicester Tigers)
20 Evie Gallagher (Bristol Bears)
21 Leia Brebner-Holden (Gloucester-Hartpury/Cheltenham Tigers)
22 Helen Nelson (Loughborough Lightning)
23 Lucia Scott (Hartpury University/Gloucester Hartpury) (one try)
Scotland are pictured post match, thanks to Scottish Rugby/SNS for the image
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