Preview: Scotland v Fiji
A new era in Scottish rugby begins at Murrayfield when the home nation takes on the hard-running, hard-tackling Fijians on Saturday.
A new era in Scottish rugby begins at Murrayfield when the home nation takes on the hard-running, hard-tackling Fijians on Saturday.
As the Scotland national anthem goes: “O flower of Scotland. When will we see your like again?”. That question will be answered when Scotland kick-off their new season under a new coach, a new captain and, hopefully, a new approach to the game which has been on the decline at a rapid rate over the past decade.
After yet another poor Six Nations tournament, Scotland failed for a third straight season to achieve their own stipulated minimum requirement of two championship victories.
Scotland have finished in the bottom two of the Six Nations five times in the last six years, which is the same record as Italy. Their 26-12 Calcutta Cup defeat by England in the final game of this season's competition was Scotland's 12th loss in their last 16 matches.
The man tasked as Scotland's saviour is former England coach Andy Robinson who enters his first Test with his newly adopted team this weekend. Robinson is a good enough coach, but only time will tell if he is a miracle worker.
Against Fiji, Scotland can open their Test season account in a positive frame of mind knowing that they enter this clash as favourites, having got the better of the Islanders three out of the four times they have faced each other.
However, that's not to say that the Sevens legends of the game haven't given the Scots a run for their money in the fifteen-man competition. In fact, Fiji's one and only victory over Scotland eleven years ago was as emphatic as it was unexpected – a seven tries to two humiliation even though Scotland were missing several touring Lions – and marked their first victory against a Six Nations (back then Five Nations) country.
Last time the two teams met Scotland won narrowly 22-20 at the 2003 Rugby World Cup in Australia (remember that Rupeni Caucau try?). Since then, Fiji have matured into an established world top ten side. They have also had a successful summer, beating Tonga, Samoa and Japan, and they come into the match full of confidence.
Fiji are spiced with players who are among the world's best at beating an opponent, one-on-one. And when they are not running at you at full tilt with the ball, they are mowing down opponents without it.
Occasionally that translates into viciously high or late tackles, but the message is slowly getting through to the players that they're big and strong enough to dent opponents' rib cages and confidence without resorting to the illegal stuff.
But that's not to say we can't expect a pile of battered bodies over the eighty as the kings of big hits enter the Scotland capital – far from it. Smashing into others without regard for their own sinews is simply a way of life in Pacific Islands rugby.
Scotland (tenth) are also below Fiji (ninth) on the IRB world rankings, so should pay their visitors the utmost respect or pay the price if the don't.
And to prove that Robinson means business, the Scotland coach has made ten changes in personnel from the team beaten by England in the Scots' last Test at Twickenham in March. Looking to match fire with fire, Robinson has fielded a side that's full of power; that has the pace but also has the skill level to break down the Fijians.
Ones to watch:
For Scotland: Scotland captain Chris Cusiter has enjoyed and endured the rollercoaster highs and lows of professional rugby in the last few years. But this weekend, when the scrum-half wins his 45th cap, will be a high of Ben Nevis proportions – the first time he has led his country in a Test match.
For Fiji: While Fiji have selected some new faces for their tour, a good number of players will be known to the British public given that they ply their trade at Premiership clubs. Bath's Nicky Little is one,who has amassed nearly 650 points for his country and will win his 64th cap on Saturday. If Scotland put a foot wrong, Little's big boot will punish them for it.
Head to head: There will be no love lost when Fiji flanker Akapusi Qera comes up against Gloucester club-mate Alasdair Strokosch in the back row in what should be a mouth-watering hit-out. Qera's game-breaking qualities, monstrous tackling power and eye for the tryline will have Strokosch watching him like a hawk. Strokosch's energy, work-rate and physicality have added greatly to Scotland's forward arsenal. He was mentioned as a possible for the 2009 British and Irish Lions but was sidelined by injury at the tail end of the 2008-9 season which effectively ruled him out of contention.
Prediction: It will be tough, it will be physical and hopefully it will be entertaining! Only a convincing win will do if the Scots want to give the Wallabies something to think about next weekend. Scotland to win by 14 points.
Previous results:
2003: Scotland beat Fiji 22-20 in Syndey
2002: Scotland beat Fiji 36-22 in Edinburgh
1998: Fiji beat Scotland 51-26 in Suva
1989: Scotland beat Fiji 38-17 in Edinburgh
The teams:
Scotland: 15 Rory Lamont, 14 Sean Lamont, 13 Alex Grove, 12 Graeme Morrison, 11 Simon Danielli, 10 Phil Godman, 9 Chris Cusiter (c), 8 Johnnie Beattie, 7 John Barclay, 6 Alasdair Strokosch, 5 Alastair Kellock, 4 Nathan Hines, 3 Moray Low, 2 Ross Ford, 1 Allan Jacobsen.
Replacements: 16 Dougie Hall, 17 Kyle Traynor, 18 Jason White, 19 Richie Vernon, 20 Mike Blair, 21 Chris Paterson, 22 Nick De Luca.
Fiji: 15 Josh Matavesi, 14 Vereneki Goneva, 13 Gabirieli Lovobalavu, 12 Seremaia Bai (c), 11 Napolioni Nalaga, 10 Nicky Little, 9 Moses Rauluni, 8 Asaeli Boko, 7 Akapusi Qera, 6 Josefa Domolailai, 5 Ifereimi Rawaqa, 4 Wame Lewaravu, 3 Deacon Manu, 2 Vili Veikoso, 1 Alefoso Yalayalatabua.
Replacements: 16 Graham Dewes, 17 Sereli Ledua, 18 Leone Nakarawa, 19 Samu Bola, 20 Waisale Vatuvoka, 21 Jonetani Ratu, 22 Nasoni Roko.
Date: Saturday, November 14
Venue: Murrayfield
Time: 14:30 (14:30 GMT)
Referee: Chris White (England)
Assistants: Carlo Damasco (Italy), Simon McDowell (Ireland)
TMO: Guillio De Santis (Italy)