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 7-12 Fiji, 31 minutes
Before the scrum, an enforced change for Scotland - having lost Dave Cherry during the week, George Turner is forced off, with Ewan Ashman on at hooker, and straight into the scrummaging fray.
Scotland 7-12 Fiji, 31 minutes
Another firm shove from the Fijian scrum, and Scotland are offside. The visitors will scrum again, ten metres further infield.
Scotland 7-12 Fiji, 29 minutes
Up go a jumper from each team, and down they come clasping the ball together. Nic Berry urges Richie Gray to leave it, but he’s buried beneath the bodies and won’t be able to extricate himself - Fiji scrum against a 14-man Scottish defence.
Scotland 7-12 Fiji, 28 minutes
Breathless stuff in the last five minutes. Scotland have rather played into Fiji’s hands - a scrum penalty might settle things a little, with Ali Price ready to feed.
Stable from both sides to start, and then Scotland are penalised! Eroni Mawi, considered by many in Fiji to be the best prop prospect to emerge in the last five years, forces Zander Fagerson to turn in.
Vilimoni Botitu gives his hooker a five-metre lineout throw with a perfectly placed kick.
Scotland 7-12 Fiji, 28 minutes
A real broken feel to proceedings all of a sudden. Vilimoni Botitu somewhat surprisingly eschews what appears to be an overlap to turn Adam Hastings with a clever diagonal kick, but he’ll have a go now, with Zander Fagerson isolated in space.
Botitu puts his foot down and tries to put away Waisea Nayacalevu...but the pass slips through the hands and goes forward into touch.
Scotland 7-12 Fiji, 26 minutes
Off go Fiji again! Break up the right, break up the left, Vinaya Habosi nearly bursting through Adam Hastings.
Viliame Mata just about holds on to an offload. Can Fiji make the position count again? No! An errant pass and Grant Gilchrist has it. Scotland just about survive.
TRY! Scotland 7-12 FIJI (Ratu Leone Rotuisolia, 24 minutes)
Another try and Fiji lead! The lineout again looks a mess but ends up with the desired outcome as the Fijian midfield make dents. Viliame Mata brushes away two defenders, and there is another advantage coming as Levani Botia burrows between two defenders.
Botia goes closer still, and Ratu Leone Rotuisolia wriggles his way over for a debut score.
A change of kicker to Vilimoni Botitu - who nails the touchline conversion.
And Scotland drop to 14 men - Stuart Hogg is sent to the sin bin for persistent infringes. Fiji firmly on top.
Scotland 7-5 Fiji, 22 minutes
Nic Berry’s arm is out again. Two more infringements by Scotland, including a third or fourth offside, and that necessitates a chat between the Australian referee and Jamie Ritchie, who trudges back to advise his team to buck their ideas up. Fiji back into advanced territory.
Scotland 7-5 Fiji, 20 minutes
And another error from Scotland - Stuart Hogg gets slightly isolated in the carry and Chris Harris’ clearout is rather dangerous, tilting and toppling a Fijian jackler on to his head.
Somewhat surprisingly, there is no further look to see if there is need for greater sanction - and Fiji miss touch with the penalty.
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