Scotland 59 Fiji 15: Five things we learned as hosts win in style

Fiji got off to a flying start, with back-row Asinate Serevi, the daughter of the legendary men’s sevens player Waisale Serevi, leading from the front.

Scotland weathered that storm and then, after a good forward drive post-lineout, the referee awarded a seven-point penalty try and Fiji tighthead prop Anasimeci Korovata was yellow-carded.

That was in the 12th minute and, versus 14, five minutes later centre Lisa Thomson barged over for a try. Stand-off Meryl Smith converted and it 14-0.

A lovely pass from Smith then put full-back Chloe Rollie in for her 23rd international try which was converted for 21-0.

A loose ball in midfield was pounced on my Fiji on the half-hour mark and winger Adita Milinia ran in for an unconverted score.

Scotland scored try number four, hooker Lana Skeldon scoring after a strong lineout drive and Smith converting to make it 28-5.

Back-row Sulita Waisega scored for Fiji to make it 28-10 at the break.

Scotland needed a fast start to the second half and it came, skipper Rachel Malcolm going over for try number five and Smith converting.

That was in the 43rd minute and three minutes later winger Francesca McGhie scored try number six after good work from loosehead prop Anne Young and centre Emma Orr.

Merewairita Neivosa was then yellow carded for Fiji and sub Lucia Scott, just on the pitch, scored her first Scotland try to make it 47-10.

Just before the hour mark winger Rhona Lloyd ran in her 24th international try from 85 metres and Smith’s extras made it 54-10.

Late on Thomson scored her second try before a late score for Fiji by sub Vika Matarugu with Smith named player of the match.

Here are five things we learned at Hive Stadium…

Scotland took advantage of an early sin bin and were clinical

Fiji, as expected, came out flying early on, but Scotland managed that well.

They were then awarded a penalty try and Fiji had a player yellow carded and the two further tries during the next 10 minutes show the improving clinical nature of this side.

They moved the big Fijian team around the park and showed patience and maturity to see centre Lisa Thomson and full-back Chloe Rollie going over to make it 21-0 after 20 minutes.

A quick start to the second period was needed and it came

The last 10 minutes of the first half was a bit ragged, Fiji scoring two tries to Scotland’s one so it was key that the home side got off to a fast start in the second period.

Like against Wales in the last game, they did just that and two tries from captain Rachel Malcolm and winger Francesca McGhie within six minutes of the restart did just that.

That made it 42-10 and showed that this Scotland have quite a ruthless streak.

Anne Young and Elliann Clarke can be pleased with their first starts

The propping duo have been around the set-up for a while now, but their previous caps had all come as replacements.

Head coach Bryan Easson put his faith in them to wear shirts number one and three respectively here and against a strong pack they held their own for the 52 minutes they were on.

They now have 12 and 13 caps respectively and the round of applause when they came off showed how well they had done.

Chloe Rollie and Rhona Lloyd are top-class finishers

If you have watched Scotland over the last six or seven years you will already know that, but as they get more experienced they seem to be getting even better attacking-wise.

Full-back Chloe Rollie has scored three tries in the last two weeks and now has 23 tries at this level to her name in 68 caps while winger Rhona Lloyd now has 24 tries in 52 caps, nearly a one-in-two record, and they are playing with confidence just now.

Hopefully, they can take that with them to South Africa for the WXV 2 title defence

Scotland must take real credit for 10 wins in 13 Tests

Last April, off the back of a thumping loss in France in the Guinness Women’s Six Nations, Scotland had lost 12 Tests in a row.

Just a few days later they defeated Italy at the Hive and things have just gone from there.

Further wins have come against Ireland, Spain, South Africa, USA, Japan, Wales, Italy again, Wales again and now Fiji.

Defeats have come to England, France and Ireland in that period, but this run has been superb and one of the best in Scottish women’s rugby history and should be congratulated.

The future is bright…

Scotland: Chloe Rollie; Rhona Lloyd, Emma Orr  (Helen Nelson 52), Lisa Thomson, Francesca McGhie (Lucia Scott 46); Meryl Smith, Caity Mattinson (Leia Brebner-Holden  60); Anne Young (Lisa Cockburn 52), Lana Skeldon (Elis Martin 52), Elliann Clarke (Christine Belisle 52), Louise McMillan (Eva Donaldson 60), Sarah Bonar, Rachel Malcolm (C), Rachel McLachlan, Jade Konkel (Evie Gallagher 46).

Tries: Penalty try seven points (12), Thomson (17, 78), Rollie (20), Skeldon (35), Malcolm (43), McGhie (46), Scott (54), Lloyd (59)

Conversions: Smith 6 (17, 20, 35, 43, 46, 59)

Fiji: Luisa Tisolo (Repeka Tove 50); Merewairita Neivosa, Talei Wilson, Litiana Lawedrau (Ivamere Nabura 50), Adita Milinia; Jeniffer Ravutia (Alisi Galo 65), Evivi Senikarivi (Kolora Lomani,62); Bitila Tawake (Loraini Senivutu 63), Keleni Marawa, Anasimeci Korovata (Tiana Robanakadavu 63), Mereoni Nakesa (Aviame Veidreyaki 65), Asinate Serevi, Nunia Daunimoala, Sulita Waisega (Vika Matarugu 12-22 and 60), Karalaini Naisewa (C).

Tries: Milinia (30), Waisega (39), Matarugu (79)

Yellow cards: Korovata (12), Neivosa (52)

Referee: Maria Latos (Germany)

Player of the Match: Meryl Smith (Scotland)