Naiqama Leads Fiji to Finals in Fiery Clash with Scotland
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Fiji eventually got the better of a much-improved Scotland 30-14 in their final Group B game, to secure a showdown with New Zealand in next week's quarterfinals.
It was a scrappy performance from The Bati, who enjoyed 60 percent of the possession but for the most part failed to put it to good use, making 16 errors to Scotland's 10.
The Bravehearts had two players spend time in the sin bin, while Bulldogs-bound forward Viliame Kikau also had 10 minutes off the field for his role in a skirmish.
Fiji scored three converted tries in the opening stanza, but leaked a pair of tries which meant they led just 18-8 at the break.
Two of the greatest dummies you'll see set up Kikau
In the end Fiji's two converted tries in the second half was enough to see off the spirited Scottish effort, and while the performance leaves plenty to work on for The Bati, they are through to face the Kiwis in the knockout stage.
Match: Fiji v Scotland
Round 3 -
home Team
Fiji
away Team
Scotland
Venue: Kingston Park, Newcastle
Match Snapshot
- Fiji's second win of the tournament secured passage through to the quarterfinals, while Scotland's World Cup is over.
- Viliame Kikau and Lachlan Walmsley were both sent to the bin in the 66th minute for their part in an on-field flare up, which came after Scotland lock Luke Bain spent 10 minutes off the field a minute into the second half following a high shot.
- Fiji forward Korbin Sims may have a case to answer at the Judiciary after being penalised for a lifting tackle in the dying stages.
- Forwards got over for Fiji's first two tries, with Taniela Sadrugu crossing on a powerful run before Kikau added the second.
- Walmsley picked off a wayward Fijian pass to run 90 metres and put Scotland back within eight on 20 minutes.
- Henry Raiwalui's try five minutes out from the break stretched The Bati's lead to 18-4, following Brandon Wakeham's third conversion of the day.
- Maika Sivo got the scoring going in the second half, but Scotland hit back soon after through Bayley Liu, who started the set with an intercept before finishing it with a try.
- Sims shot over from close range for the try effectively killed the game off 14 minutes from time.
- Scotland lost winger Matty Russell in the early stages with a hamstring injury.
Play of the Game
Camped on their own line under immense pressure, Scotland needed something and got it in the shape of a well-timed defensive read from Lachlan Walmsley. From there nobody was catching him, with the winger racing 90 metres for a try which at the time reduced his side's deficit to eight points.
What They Said
"The boys deserve all the praise. It was stop-start, stop-start. We played really well the first 10-20 minutes and then got away from our own plan. But the boys worked it out in the second half." - Fiji interim coach Wise Kativerata.
"They gave it a good shot, didn't they? I think ultimately a few injuries caught up with us and we had to make quite a few changes. But I'm proud of my boys... they had a massive dig. I don't think we could have done anything more tonight."- Scotland coach Nathan Graham.
What's Next
Fiji are all but through to the knockout phase and look set to face the Kiwis in the quarterfinals for the second World Cup in a row, having made history by eliminating the Kiwis in the same game back in 2017. For Scotland the tournament is over, with the Bravehearts saving their best performance for last.
