Gary Heatly at the Salford Community Stadium
Scotland 29 Fiji 15
Scotland were pushed hard by Fiji on Saturday afternoon, but battled hard to get the bonus point win which secured their spot in the Women’s Rugby World Cup knock-out stages.
They came through a bruising Pool B contest at the Salford Community Stadium in Manchester 29-15 which, added to week one’s 38-8 bonus point triumph over Wales, means they are on 10 points from 10.
After their earlier 42-0 bonus point win over the Welsh on Saturday lunchtime, Canada are also on 10 points and both teams will be in the last eight.
Who finishes top and who finishes second in the group will be decided in Exeter next Saturday when Scotland play Canada.
In the lead up to the Fiji game Rhea Clarke replaced Caity Mattinson on the bench.
Like last week versus Wales, Scotland got off to a lightning-fast start.
With the rain starting to fall, Scotland attacked from deep and a clever kick from centre Emma Orr put winger Francesca McGhie away in space.
She got to the ball first, kicked it on slightly and then dived on it to score her fourth try in two games. Stand-off Helen Nelson could not convert and it was 5-0.
In the ninth minute, a shoulder to head tackle by Fiji tighthead prop Vika Matarugu on opposite number Elliann Clarke and saw her yellow carded.
Scotland took immediate advantage when a neat scrum move saw Nelson put winger Rhona Lloyd for her 26th try for her country. The conversion hit the post and it was 10-0.
After 15 minutes there was then a worry when second-row Sarah Bonar went down injured, but she recovered.
In the 25th minute, Fiji got themselves on the scoreboard with an unconverted try.
A great break through the middle by back-row Nunia Daunimoala eventually saw loosehead prop Loraini Senivutu finish very well in the corner.
Fiji were really bringing the game to Scotland physically, but in the 34th minute Orr pounced on a loose ball and a slick attack and inside pass from centre Lisa Thomson put Lloyd in for her second try under the posts. Nelson converted and it was 17-5.
Scotland came close to a fourth bonus point try before the break, but Fiji defended well and were attacking from deep at every opportunity to keep themselves in the game by half-time.
The rain was falling harder in the second half and Fiji came out of the blocks flying while Elliann Clarke picked up a leg injury. It looked quite serious and Lisa Cockburn replaced her.
Scotland’s defence then did well to hold Fiji up over the try line.
In the 51st minute Fiji got their second try of the match after great handling saw No.8 Manuqalo Komaitai burst through a gap to score under the posts. Crucially, McGhie and back-row Rachel McLachlan blocked the conversion attempt and it was 17-10.
Scotland were under the cosh, but, importantly, they scored the bonus point try in the 57th minute via McGhie after a strong lineout drive set it up. It was unconverted and it was 22-10.
Referee Lauren Jenner then looked at a tackle in the build up to the try on hooker Elis Martin and gave Fiji hooker Bitila Tawake a yellow card.
On the hour mark, Scotland’s fifth try came via Orr and when Nelson converted it was 29-10.
In the 66th minute, Fiji thought they had scored their third try via winger Alowesi Nakoci, but it was ruled out for a knock on.
Tawake’s yellow card was then upgraded to a 20-minute red card.
With eight minutes to go it looked like Fiji replacement Kolora Lomani was going to score until a brilliant cover tackle from McGhie.
Fellow sub Karalaini Naisewa did go over for an unconverted effort soon after and, with five minutes to go, it was 29-15.
In the final moments, Nailolo was yellow carded for Fiji and 29-15 was how it finished.
Scotland can now dust themselves down ahead of travelling to Exeter on Monday for next Saturday’s Canada game and then a last eight tie on September 13 or 14 in Bristol.
Teams:
Scotland: Chloe Rollie; Rhona Lloyd, Emma Orr, Lisa Thomson, Francesca McGhie; Helen Nelson, Leia Brebner-Holden; Leah Bartlett, Elis Martin, Elliann Clarke, Emma Wassell, Sarah Bonar, Rachel Malcolm (C), Rachel McLachlan, Evie Gallagher. Subs: Molly Wright, Anne Young, Lisa Cockburn, Adelle Ferrie, Eva Donaldson, Alex Stewart, Rhea Clarke, Beth Blacklock.
Fiji: Litiana Vueti; Alowesi Nakoci, Verenaisi Ditavutu, Josifini Neihamu, Michella’e Brigid Stolz; Salanieta Kinita, Setaita Railumu; Loraini Senivutu, Bitila Tawake, Vika Matarugu, Jade Coates, Mereoni Nakesa, Nunia Daunimoala, Alfreda Fisher (C), Manuqalo Komaitai. Subs: Keleni Marawa, Karalaini Naisewa, Tiana Robanakadavu, Carletta Yee, Sulita Waisega, Kolora Lomani, Kelerayani Luvu, Adi Salote Nailolo.
Scorers:
Scotland: Tries: McGhie 2, Lloyd 2, Orr. Conversions: Nelson 2.
Fiji: Tries: Senivutu, Komaitai, Naisewa.
Yellow cards: Matarugu, Tawake *, Nailolo ( all Fiji) *upgraded to a 20-minute red card
Referee: Lauren Jenner.
Player of the match: Evie Gallagher (Scotland).
Emma Orr scored a try versus Fiji – thanks to Scottish Rugby
From August 7 until September 30, GH Media will be following the Scotland World Cup journey all of the way. We will be at all of the Scotland matches down south and will be bringing you all of the interviews and news from camp as well as taking a wider look at the tournament as a whole and its impact on the women’s game. Thanks to Quirky Chocolate and other supporters for allowing this content to happen and to readers for engaging with it.