BRAIN POWER
GREIG LAIDLAW believes the brains of Scotland will snuff out the brawn of Fiji.
The sides go into autumn Test battle at BT Murrayfield today with veteran campaigner Laidlaw returning as skipper.
And the scrum-half is convinced his side can claim revenge following their defeat in Suva the last time the nations clashed 18 months ago.
Laidlaw said: “If we are smart enough we can get a big handle on the game.
“I and the other leaders in the team must know where and when to do certain things.
“I think we have more experience in and around key positions. Our combinations and the spine of the team have been together for a couple of years now and we need to use that experience and familiarity with one another.”
Laidlaw’s No.1 aim will be to frustrate the Fijians then make them exhausted. He said: “The way to demoralise them is to not let them have the ball.
“They love running about with the ball and showing their skill sets. We must keep on making them tackle, tackle and tackle again.
“It will be all about making them work all the time. When we attack we have to look after the ball.
“And when we kick we have BY DAVID KELSO to do it smartly and make sure we have a connected chase, because in broken play, they are the best team in the world.
“We must limit their opportunities.”
The Scots will aim to execute their plan against Fiji but Laidlaw knows their opponents will cause problems if they are given too much freedom.
The skipper said: “They’re going to be a challenge, there’s no denying that. They’ve got some tremendous attacking threats throughout the field.
“But so do we and that’s why we’re really looking forward to playing in front of a packed Murrayfield.
“We’ve won eight of our last nine Tests here and we are determined to extend that record. The expectation is there and that’s brilliant.
“I remember a few years back when the stadium didn’t sell out for games against sides like Fiji.
“But now it does and that’s because of the expectation that’s currently there for the national team.
“That comes from the way the team have been playing. So it falls on us as a collective to perform. We have 100 per cent confidence in each other.
“We also know it won’t be easy and we will need to play for 80 minutes and stick to our guns.”
Laidlaw insists he is as hungry to play for his country as he was as a youngster.
He said: “I’ve always backed myself as a player. I’ve never hidden away from competition – I love the fact there is so much competition for places in the Scotland team.
“It is such a special feeling to walk in to the changing room and see your Scotland jersey hanging there.
“That’s what I’m fighting for week in and week out because the feeling is hard to beat. I don’t want to give that up. It comes back to my performance time and again.
“I just need to keep performing as a leader and a player. If I do that I’ll back myself to be selected.
“As far as the captaincy is concerned I’ve said time and again it’s a huge honour for me. But it’s something I never take for granted.
“I’m just looking forward to being out there this weekend and doing my job as a scrum half. I’ll also lead the boys to the best of my ability.”
GREIG LAIDLAW