Fiji ambush Scotland to end Townsend’s clean sweep hopes
Scotland coach Gregor Townsend was bitterly disappointed after seeing his dream of an unbeaten tour to launch his term in charge blown apart by the vibrant running and tackling of Fiji – with his protege at Glasgow Warriors Leone Nakarawa his torturer-in-chief.
The Scots won the try count by three to two but their discipline was poor and they were ripped apart by Nakarawa’s brilliant handling and five penalties from fly-half Ben Volavola. It meant Townsend’s men were unable to follow their defeat of Italy and stunning victory over Australia for a clean sweep. Townsend said: “We did not play as well as we have done on tour but credit to Fiji. They played some outstanding rugby, particularly in the second half and were tough to handle.
“For us to win Test matches we have to play really well, but we missed too many tackles and Fiji came alive when they broke those tackles. Also we have to look after the ball in our attack; too many balls were lost in contact with the wet ball. I’m really disappointed.”
Townsend had plucked Nakawara from the Fijian sevens line-up while he was at Glasgow and turned him into one of the world’s great locks. This is how he repaid him. “He is probably the best second row in the world, certainly the best offloading second row.
“At times we defended him really well and managed to close him down but at other times he kept his energy and offloading ability and he created a fantastic try.”
Fiji coach John McKee celebrated one of the best results in recent years.
“The team is advancing,” he said. “We have very talented rugby players and for me the big thing is to see those guys who are top players in Europe coming back to play for Fiji.”
Scotland’s handling in the steady drizzle let them down. Fiji’s problem was their discipline, with lock Tevita Cavubati sent to the sin bin for pulling his counterpart Jonny Gray down in the line-out. They later lost prop Peni Ravai for collapsing a maul.
Scotland took full advantage. They set up a line-out maul and Ross Ford, on the day he broke the Scottish caps record by winning his 110th, claimed his third try of the summer tour.
The islanders ramped up the pressure, with Nakarawa flicking the ball clear from a maul on the Scots 22. Volavola’s cross kick was perfectly placed for Patrick Osborne to claim on the wing and he found Peceli Yato to take the scoring pass. Fiji added a penalty, with Volavola doing the honours.
Ruaridh Jackson ran in his first Test try, but Volavola put Fiji back in front with a penalty, before Nakarawa broke through and offloaded to replacement scrum-half Henry Seniloli for a brilliant try that pushed the lead out to 10 points after Volavola’s conversion.
Scotland fought back with Fraser Brown grounding at the back of a driving maul, but again mistakes cost them as they handed the ball back to Fiji after the restart.
Scores 3-0 Volavola pen; 3-5 Ford try; 3-7 Jackson con; 6-7 Volavola pen; 11-7 Peceli Yato try; 14-7 Volavola pen; 14-12 Jackson try; 14-14 Jackson con; 17-14 Volavola pen; 17-17 Jackson pen; 22-17 Seniloli try; 24-17 Volavola con; 27-17 Volavola pen; 27-22 Brown try. Fiji K Murimurivalu; J Tuisova, A Vulivuli, J Vatubua, P Osborne; B Volavola, S Vularika; P Ravai, Koto Vuli, K Tawake, T Cavubati, L Nakarawa, D Waqaniburotu, P Yato, A Qera (capt). Replacements T Tuapati, J Veitayaki, M Ducivaki, S Nabou, N Dawai, H Seniloli, J Stewart, B Masilevu. Scotland R Jackson; D Hoyland, N Grigg, D Taylor, T Visser; P Horne, H Pyrgos; A Allan, R Ford, WP Nel, T Swinson, J Gray, J Barclay (capt), J Hardie, J Strauss. Replacements F Brown, G Reid, Z Fagerson, B Toolis, H Watson, A Price, G Tonks. Referee Pascal Gauzere (France).