Scotland’s World Cup Hopes Hit After Painful Defeat to Ruthless Fiji
It’s hard to put into words just how costly Scotland’s latest rugby outing in Suva turned out to be. Facing a ferociously fired-up Fijian side in their own backyard is no small task, but what unfolded was more than just a tough away game — it was a serious blow to Scotland’s World Cup ambitions and world ranking.
It actually started with promise. Just three minutes in, Darcy Graham made an early impact, slipping a perfect pass through to Kyle Rowe, who dotted down to give the Scots a dream start. Fergus Burke’s conversion made it 7-0, and for a moment, you could believe this might go Scotland’s way. But that moment didn’t last.
From there, it was all downhill. Penalty after penalty, poor discipline, and a wave of Fijian pressure began to undo Scotland’s early work. Ewan Ashman was the first to see yellow, giving Fiji momentum. Caleb Muntz calmly slotted a penalty, and that kicked off what would become a relentless Fijian response.
The turning point came just before halftime. First, Fiji captain Tevita Ikanivere bulldozed through a line-out to score, and just minutes later, Kalaveti Ravouvou raced over for another try. Suddenly, Fiji had a 15-7 lead at the break, and the Scots were visibly rattled.
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Coming out for the second half, Scotland managed to hit back. Tom Jordan crossed the line after some slick movement, and Burke’s boot again added the extras. They were back within a point. But that was the last score they’d manage.
Jiuta Wainiqolo, with a moment of individual brilliance, danced through Scottish defenders to restore Fiji’s dominance. Then came the final nail in the coffin — Darcy Graham, already on a yellow, tried to intercept deep inside his own 22. Offside. He was the last man. Penalty try to Fiji, second yellow to Graham, and red. Game over.
Fiji didn’t just win — they earned every point. Physical, disciplined, and ruthless in capitalising on every Scottish mistake, they outscored the visitors four tries to two, ending the match 29-14.
Scotland’s head coach Gregor Townsend didn’t hide his frustration. “We gave away 14 penalties and three yellow cards. That’s just not us. When you’re playing most of the game with 14 men, you can’t expect to beat a team like Fiji, especially not in Suva,” he admitted.
Now, the consequences are clear. With world rankings points lost, Scotland may slip out of the top six just months before the 2027 World Cup draw. That means a tougher group, a steeper mountain to climb, and no margin for similar errors down the line.
For Fiji, this wasn’t just a win. It was a statement — that they’re not just entertainers, but serious contenders. For Scotland, it’s back to the drawing board, with painful lessons learned the hard way.
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