Saffa scores as Scotland survive Fiji fright

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Duhan van der Merwe crossed the whitewash as Scotland saw off Fiji at Murrayfield on Saturday in unconvincing fashion for their first win of the end-of-year internationals.

George Turner’s try gave Scotland an early lead but the visitors, coached by former Scotland boss Vern Cotter, hit back with two of their own before the hosts managed to lead 14-12 at the interval.

Tries either side of half time from Adam Hastings and Van der Merwe gave Scotland breathing space before replacement Ben White crossed late on.

The 28-12 victory came after Scotland started their autumn Tests with a 16-15 loss to Australia at home last week.

But a double-figure penalty count against Fiji was a worrying sign for Scotland coach Gregor Townsend ahead of a visit from the All Blacks a week on Sunday, with the Scots yet to beat the All Blacks in 31 matches spanning 117 years.

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Fiji suffered an early setback on Saturday when debutant Ratu Rotuisolia was sin-binned. Scotland made their advantage count when Turner pushed his way over from a rolling maul.

Fiji’s Setareki Tuicuvu missed a routine penalty only to atone minutes later when he crowned a flowing attack out on the right with a try before failing with the conversion.

The Pacific Islanders, however, were playing with confidence and Rotuisolia, back on after his yellow card, put them ahead with a well-taken try. To make matters worse for Scotland, Stuart Hogg was sin-binned as he paid the price for repeated offending by the hosts.

Vilimoni Botitu, taking over kicking duties, added the conversion and Fiji led 12-7.

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Scotland, however, avoided conceding any more points while down to 14 men, and in the last play of the first half scrumhalf Ali Price released Hastings, who then elegantly broke free to score a try he converted to put the Dark Blues two points ahead at the break.

Scotland extended their lead when wing Van der Merwe held a looping pass from Chris Harris before beating two Fijians for a try.

Replacement back Kinghorn, who missed a last-gasp penalty that would have won the Australia match, landed a tough conversion from out on the left.

Fiji’s Vinaya Habosi was sin-binned in the 61st minute for a high tackle on Scotland replacement Rory Sutherland and Livai Natave also saw yellow after Cameron Redpath was denied a 73rd-minute try following a knock-on.

Moments later, however, Scotland had a fourth try when White gathered from the back of the scrum and darted over. Wing Darcy Graham was yellow-carded in the last minute but by then the hosts had made the game safe.

© Agence France-Presse

Photo: @Scotlandteam/Twitter

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Devin Hermanus