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20 November, 2002
Scotland A down Fiji's midweek team
Fiji's younger players put on a creditable display against Scotland A on Wednesday night at Bridgehaugh in Stirling, but went down 45-29 to an experienced Scottish team buoyed by their senior side's victory over the Springboks on the weekend.
The Scots recovered from a slow start to run in six tries to Fiji's three.
Fiji Fly-half Joseph Narruhn converted three penalty chances early in the game to give Fiji a 9-3 lead before Scotland A hit back with three quick tries.
After being starved of possession, the Scots scored the first time they produced a short phase of continuity after 21 minutes. Andy Hall won lineout ball on the left, Kevin Utterson’s thrust induced a ruck, and Andy Rennick sprinted through. Calvin Howarth converted, and the hosts led for the first time 10-9.
Utterson was also involved in the next two Scottish tries, firstly his chipped kick into the corner forced a five-metre scrum, from which flanker Andrew Mower plunged over on 28 minutes. Three quick-fire rucks then created the opportunity for Howarth to exploit the blind side for an Utterson try in 36 minutes.
Before the interval, Narruhn kicked his fourth penalty goal to make it 20-12 in Scotland A's favour.
And three minutes after the breather, flanker Seta Tawake sprinted over from a close-range scrum to make it 20-17.
The Scots rode their luck with their fourth try when Howarth missed a pass only to see the ball ricochet off his leg and over the line where he pounced to score.
Ahead 33-17, the Fijians’ exuberance saw them put the pressure back on the home side, and it was only a loose, backhanded pass by Waisale Serevi that allowed Simon Webster to break out to create the position for the fifth try to Gordon Simpson. Duncan Hodge converted for 40-17 after an hour.
Fiji had the better of the last quarter. Sisa Koyamaibole touched down for Fiji's second try, before Jon Steel replied in kind for Scotland A. But the last move of the day saw fullback Atonio Nariva slice through at pace from halfway before a delicate chip-and-chase to score.
Scotland A coach Hugh Campbell told the Press Association: "It took us so long to get into our stride because we couldn't get the ball for the first 20 minutes."
"Once we managed to get our phase-play and continuity going we strung together some pretty good moves and scored a few excellent tries."
He also commended the Fiji team for their efforts.
"As we expected, Fiji had some exciting runners and they posed us problems on the counter-attack. Unlike the Romanians a fortnight earlier, the Fijians came to play rugby and that made it an entertaining match."
Sources: Scottish Rugby Union, Press Association
Scotland A 45 Fiji 29
Bridgehaugh, Stirling
Kick-off: 7.30pm
Referee: Roy Maybank (England)
Touch judges: Dave Pearson (England), Wayne Barnes (England)
SCOTLAND A: 15 Glenn Metcalfe (captain), 14 Jon Steel, 13 Andrew Henderson, 12 Kevin Utterson, 11 Simon Webster, 10 Calvin Howarth (Duncan Hodge 55), 9 Mike Blair (Chris Cusiter 66), 8 Andrew Mower, 7 Gordon Simpson, 6 Andrew Rennick (Matt Taylor 69), 5 Nathan Ross (Guy Perrett 69), 4 Andrew Hall, 3 Gavin Kerr (Craig Smith 55), 2 Dougie Hall, 1 Allan Jacobsen (Kerr 75).
Tries: Rennick, Mower, Utterson, Howarth, Steel, Simpson
Conversions: Howarth (2), Hodge
Penalty goals: Howarth (2), Hodge.
FIJI: 15 Atonio Nariva, 14 Fero Lasagavibau, 13 Epeli Ruivadra, 12 Warren Hughes (Seremeia Bai 55), 11 Isaac Mow, 10 Joseph Narruhn, 9 Sami Rabaka (Waisale Serevi 44), 8 Sisa Koyamaibole, 7 Kitione Salawa, 6 Seta Tawake, 5 Emori Katalau, 4 Kele Leawere, 3 Paula Biu (Bill Cavubati 64), 2 Bill Gadolo, 1 Isaia Rasila – captain (Jojo Soqoiwasa).
Tries: Tawake, Koyamaibole, Nariva
Conversions: Narruhn
Penalty goals: Narruhn (4)
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