Volavola the hero as Fiji stun Scotland

Fiji continued with their fine recent form when they claimed a hard-fought 27-22 victory over Scotland in Suva on Saturday.

Ben Volavola was his side's hero as he finished with a 17-point haul, thanks to five penalties and a conversion, although Scotland outscored the Pacific islanders by three tries to two.

The result is a momentous one for Fiji as it is only the second time in their history that they have beaten Scotland with their last triumph registered in 1998.

In a confrontational encounter, in which Fiji had two players sent to the sin bin and Scotland one, the home side led 11-7 at half-time thanks to a Peceli Yato try and two Volavola penalties with Scotland's points registered via a converted Ross Ford try.

The opening half was an error-strewn affair and the hosts suffered a blow in the 19th minute when Tevita Cavubati was yellow carded after repeated defensive infringements by the home side, but shortly afterwards Scotland were also reduced to 14 men when Josh Strauss was sent to the sin bin for an illegal tackle.

Fiji eventually opened the scoring in the 26th minute courtesy of a Volavola penalty before Kalivati Tawake was also yellow carded for illegally halting a Scotland maul close to his try-line.

Scotland soon benifited from their numerical advantage when Ford went over for a try from a rolling maul — a fitting reward for the veteran hooker who eclipsed the record for Scotland appearances in this match.

Ruaridh Jackson added the extras before Volavola reduced the deficit with a penalty in the 37th minute and shortly afterwards Yato crossed for their opening try after Patrick Osborne did well in the build-up.

Volavola extended his side's lead when he landed his third penalty in the 48th minute but Scotland drew level five minutes later when Jackson went over for a try which he also converted.

Volavola and Jackson traded penalties which meant the sides were deadlocked at 17-17 by the hour-mark but a Henry Seniloli try two minutes later pushed the hosts ahead again.

Five minutes later, Volavola added his fifth penalty which meant Fiji now held a 10-point lead and although Scotland reduced the deficit when Frsaser Brown scored their third try in the 73rd minute, the home side kept them at bay in the dying moments thanks to a resilient defensive effort.

The scorers:

For Fiji:
Tries:  Yato, Seniloli
Cons:  Volavola
Pens:  Volavola 5
Yellow Cards:  Cavubati, Tawake

For Scotland:
Tries:  Ford, Jackson, Brown
Cons:  Jackson 2
Pen:  Jackson
Yellow Card:  Strauss

Fiji:  15 Kini Murimurivalu, 14 Josua Tuisova, 13 Albert Vulivuli, 12 Jale Vatubua, 11 Patrick Osborne, 10 Ben Volavola, 9 Serupepeli Vularika, 8 Akapusi Qera (c), 7 Peceli Yato, 6 Dominiko Waqaniburotu, 5 Leone Nakarawa, 4 Tevita Cavubati, 3 Kalivati Tawake, 2 Sunia Koto, 1 Peni Ravai
Replacements:  16 Tuapati Talemaitoga, 17 Joeli Veitayaki, 18 Mosese Ducivaki, 19 Sikeli Nabou, 20 Naulia Dawai, 21 Henry Seniloli, 22 John Stewart, 23 Benito Masilevu

Scotland:  15 Ruaridh Jackson, 14 Damien Hoyland, 13 Nick Grigg, 12 Duncan Taylor, 11 Tim Visser, 10 Peter Horne, 9 Henry Pyrgos, 8 Josh Strauss, 7 John Hardie, 6 John Barclay (c), 5 Jonny Gray, 4 Tim Swinson, 3 Willem Nel, 2 Ross Ford, 1 Alex Allan
Replacements:  16 Fraser Brown, 17 Gordon Reid, 18 Zander Fagerson, 19 Ben Toolis, 20 Hamish Watson, 21 Ryan Wilson, 22 Ali Price, 23 Greig Tonks

Referee:  Pascal Gauzère (France)
Assistant Referees:  Will Houston (Australia), Graham Cooper (Australia)