Visser double sinks Fiji

Scotland's Dutch-born winger Tim Visser scored two tries on debut as the tourists beat Fiji 37-25 on Saturday.

Visser's second try in the 77th minute clinched Scotland's win after Fiji had come from 27-11 down in the 45th minute to trail by only two points, 27-25, with 15 minutes remaining.

Fly-half Greig Laidlaw scored a try, kicked four conversions and three penalties to keep Scotland in front, ensuring they avoided a repeat of their 51-26 loss to Fiji in Suva in 1998.

Scotland overcame hot and humid conditions at Lautoka's Churchill Park and a display of typical backline brilliance from Fiji to post a second win on their southern hemisphere tour after beating Australia 9-6.

In six meetings between the teams, Scotland has won on five occasions and Fiji only once.

Scotland was able to control the match through strong set-piece play and an accurate kicking game guided by Laidlaw.  Fiji showed vulnerability under the high ball and was pressured at scrums, conceding a penalty try from a scrum collapse in the 23rd minute.

The penalty try and tries to Visser and Laidlaw allowed Scotland to take a 24-11 lead to half-time and the tourists expanded that to 27-11 with a Laidlaw penalty in the 45th minute.

Fiji rushed back into the match through the middle of the second half with tries to Waisea Nayacalevu in the 48th minute and Metuisela Talebula in the 65th.  Fly-half Jonetani Raululu converted Talebua's try on debut to cut the lead to 27-25 as the hosts looked like overwhelming the Scots.

Laidlaw eked out the lead to 30-25 by kicking his fourth penalty, then the fast and powerful Visser touched down for the second time to ensure Scotland escaped with a win.

Scotland next plays Samoa in Apia while Fiji faces Tonga next Saturday in the final match of the Pacific Nations Cup.

The scorers:

For Fiji:
Tries:  Domolailai, Nayacalevu, Talebula
Cons:  Ralulu 2
Pens:  Ralulu 2

For Scotland:
Tries:  Laidlaw, Visser 2, Penalty try
Cons:  Laidlaw 4
Pens:  Laidlaw 3

Fiji:  15 Isimeli Koniferedi, 14 Waisea Nayacalevu, 13 Wereniki Goneva, 12 Aloisio Buto, 11 Watisoni Votu, 10 Jonetai Ralulu, 9 Nikola Matawalu, 8 Netani Talei, 7 Malakai Ravulo, 6 Iliese Ratuva, 5 Leone Nakarawa, 4 Apisai Naikatini, 3 Setefano Somoca, 2 Viliame Veikoso, 1 Jeremaia Yanuyanutawa.
Replacements:  16 Tuatpati Talemaitoga, 17 Waisea Daveta/Graham Dewes, 18 Josefa Domolailai, 19 Kelepi Ketedromo, 20 Nemia Kenatale, 21 Kameli Ratuvou, 22 Metuisela Talebula.

Scotland:  15 Stuart Hogg, 14 Max Evans, 13 Nick De Luca, 12 Matt Scott, 11 Tim Visser, 10 Greig Laidlaw, 9 Mike Blair, 8 John Barclay, 7 Ross Rennie, 6 Alasdair Strokosch, 5 Richie Gray, 4 Alastair Kellock, 3 Euan Murray, 2 Ross Ford (c), 1 Ryan Grant.
Replacements:  16 Scott Lawson, 17 Geoff Cross, 18 Tom Ryder, 19 Richie Vernon, 20 Chris Cusiter, 21 Duncan Weir, 22 Sean Lamont.

Referee:  Jaco Peyper (South Africa)