Electric winger Jiuta Wainiqolo scored a brilliant solo try in sweltering Suva on Saturday as Fiji claimed their first win against Scotland in eight years.
The hosts scored four tries to clinch a 29-14 win against a Scotland team that lost winger Darcy Graham to a red card. It marked Fiji’s third win over the Scots – all having been achieved in Suva – while Scotland have won the other eight Tests between the two, including last November’s 57-17 triumph in Edinburgh,
Scotland fielded a starting team featuring 14 changes from the side that opened their tour with a 29-26 defeat of the Maori All Blacks in Whangarei a week ago.
Fiji made just two changes from the team beaten 21-18 by Australia in the dying minutes in Newcastle.
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Scotland scored a converted try early in each half but otherwise were forced into defence for long periods against a Fiji side that mixed power and skill to good effect. The Scots, who trailed 15-7 at half time, missed 36 tackles and gave away 15 penalties, though the tourists made a bright start, creating a try in the third minute for fullback Kyle Rowe.
Their grip on the game slipped when hooker Ewan Ashman was shown a yellow card for a professional foul and experienced flanker Jamie Ritchie was forced from the field with injury.
Fiji flyhalf Caleb Muntz slotted a penalty and his team took command in the period before half time after Graham had been sent to the sin-bin for an early tackle. Captain Tevita Ikanivere gave Fiji the lead through a lineout drive try before winger Kalaveti Ravouvou capitalised on an overlap to cross in the right corner.
Scotland responded after the interval through a try by centre Tom Jordan. But a brilliant solo try from Wainiqolo, who had set up an audacious try against the Wallabies last week, was followed by a penalty try, after Graham saw a second yellow card (and then red) for racing off his own line too quickly to intercept a pass.
Referee Ben O’Keeffe deemed the wing had prevented a probable Fijian try.
Scotland complete their three-match Pacific tour when they play Samoa in Auckland on Friday.
© Agence France-Presse
Photo: Scott Gardiner/Getty Images
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