Scots wary of Fijians

Accuracy and defence are the areas Scotland coach Gregor Townsend is going to focus on before their Test clash against the Fiji Airways Flying Fijians at a sold out Murrayfield Stadium on Sunday (Fiji time). A disappointed Townsend said these were areas exploited in their 21-10 loss to Wales in Cardiff on Saturday.

“We need to be better defensively,” Townsend told BBC Sports.

“To slip off tackles and give them tries when they didn’t have to do much work that was disappointing.”

Former Scotland halfback Andy Nicol also told BBC Sports that they need to be more clinical against the Fijians.

“Both Welsh tries came from them putting it wide and asking questions of the defence. Scotland were going so narrow and so direct, that it was easy for the Wales defence just to smother Scotland in attack.

“So they’ve got to get more width against the Fijians next week, and get more clinical,” he said. Scotland returned to Murrayfield to prepare for the first of three Tests, starting against Fiji, who Townsend rates as “the best team in the world off turnover ball”. “We have to be accurate, and learn from things today - things we did well that we have to repeat, things that didn’t go well that we have to figure out how to get better at,” Townsend added.

In their Test clash in Suva last year, the Flying Fijians beat Scotland 27-22.

MATAWALU: CRACKING CONTEST

Glasgow Warriors halfback Nikola Matawalu said fans are to be treated to a spectacular show of rugby.

“Obviously I’m going to back and cheer for Fiji,” says Matawalu, who reckons the Murrayfield crowd could be treated to a cracking contest, and one the Fijians will be taking very seriously indeed.

“I think it’s going to be a quick game, both teams playing with a high tempo, and whoever is the fittest to play that for 80 minutes will win the match.

“This is a strong Fiji squad. When the coach (John McKee) selected the side, he wanted the strongest and best team and players available.

“There are Fijian players who are performing well, in France and in England, who are playing with and against some of the best players in the world at club level in these countries.”

Matawalu who is on stand-by in case of injuries to Henry Seniloli or Frank Lomani scored three tries for Warriors in the 29-20 win over Ospreys in a PRO14 clash last Friday night

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Photo: J Boots Fiji Airways Flying Fijians reps in Toulouse France, on November 3,2018. They are preparing to play Scotland early Sunday morning (Fiji time) in Edinburgh (left-right) Mesulame Vugakoto, Eroni Mawi, Alivereti Veitokani, Mosese Voka, Vereniki Goneva, Frank Lomani, Albert Tuisue, Fijian supporter, Henry Seniloli, Veremalua Vugakoto, Joeli Veitayaki.