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Fiji player ratings vs Scotland | Autumn Nations Series 2024

Fiji players react following the Autumn Nations Series International rugby union test match between Scotland and Fiji at Murrayfield Stadium in Edinburgh on November 2, 2024. (Photo by ANDY BUCHANAN / AFP)

Fiji player ratings: Fiji paid the price for a sluggish start and ill-discipline as they fell to a record 57-17 defeat to Scotland at Scottish Gas Murrayfield in their opening match of the Autumn Nations Series.

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Both sides were bereft of their England and France-based players as the match fell outside the international window, but Fiji suffered more damage to their squad with the likes of Semi Radradra, Josua Tuisova, Jiuta Wainiqolo and Waisea Nayacalevu all absent.

This, however, did provide an opportunity for fringe players to step up, but most failed to do so.

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Plenty of firepower will be back for Fiji next week when they take on Wales in Cardiff, so the question will be whether their outsiders did anything to displace their returning stars.

Here’s how the Fiji players rated:

Match Summary

1
Penalty Goals
0
8
Tries
3
7
Conversions
1
0
Drop Goals
0
126
Carries
141
12
Line Breaks
5
10
Turnovers Lost
11
6
Turnovers Won
5

15. Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula – 4
Horrendous interception pass thrown for Huw Jones’ try- from his own half when Fiji were down to 14 with the recipient facing the wrong way. He at least responded with a try of his own later in the first half, showing his strength to barge his way over. Wayward goalkicking to boot to complete a mixed performance.

14. Vuate Karawalevu – 3
Came very close to a try straight from a Fiji kick-off, but was denied in the corner. Quiet otherwise.

13. Apisalome Vota – 5
Yellow carded for an infringement at a ruck, although he was paying the price for his side’s poor discipline. Produced a crucial tap tackle early on in the second 40 to prevent Duhan van der Merwe from running in for a try. Put in a decent defensive shift. 

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12. Inia Tabuavou – 4
Loose pass early on as Fiji could not get a foothold in the game. Looked dangerous when he got ball in hand, which became more frequent as the game progressed. Will rue his missed tackle for Darcy Graham’s hat-trick try as Scotland had clawed their way back into the match, and wasn’t given much time after that.

11. Ponipate Loganimasi – 5
Caught out of position for the crossfield kick to Graham, although the Fijian backline was depleted at the time. Lovely step and offload to set up Ravula’s try. Came off his wing well throughout the match.

10. Caleb Muntz – 4
Fiji and Muntz looked uncomfortable early on in the match, but he settled down and had his side playing nice rugby, although they unfortunately started from a 0-26 deficit.

9. Frank Lomani – 6
Yellow carded for an intentional knock-on early on just moments after a nice cover tackle. Despite his side finding themselves under huge amounts of pressure in the first half, he kept the tempo up as Fiji rebounded with points of their own.

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1. Haereiti Hetet – 5
Caught out by the new laws as he gave away a penalty almost immediately after Fiji had scored and looked to be building some momentum. Tackled relentlessly, but was part of a front-row that did not have a great evening in the scrum.

2. Tevita Ikanivere – 6
Led from the front when his side were under the pump in the first half with plenty of carries. Rewarded with a cheeky try after the break, flummoxing Graham with a dummy.

3. Samuela Tawake – 4
Conceded an early scrum penalty which eventually resulted in Scotland’s first try of the match. Had a tough time at scrum time, which was part of Fiji’s undoing in an ill-disciplined affair.

4. Isoa Nasilasila – 4
Failed to claim a lineout when Fiji had a good platform to score in the first half. Huge hit on Kyle Rowe that left the full-back gasping for air.

5. Ratu Leone Rotuisolia – 5
Got through plenty of defensive work, topping Fiji’s tackle count with 13 before leaving the field after 50 minutes.

6. Ratu Meli Derenalagi – 4
Bundled over for Fiji’s second try which was unsurprisingly the highlight of his game. Solid, albeit not a particularly eye-catching display.

7. Kitione Salawa – 5
Double figures for both carries and tackles is a commendable return, and two turnovers to add to a well-rounded game. Although he was outplayed by opposite man Rory Darge.

8. Elia Canakaivata – 6
Carried hard and frequently, topping the carry charts for the match with 16. Got his hands dirty in other areas of the game as well.

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Replacements
16. Mesulame Dolokoto – 3
Slipped off a tackle on Graham minutes after coming on as the Scot darted over for his fourth.

17. Livai Natave – 4
Solid tackles once he had come on for the final 20 minutes. Like his predecessors, struggled in the scrum.

18. Jone Koroiduadua – 3
Suffered the same fate all Fijian props did.

19. Mesake Vocevoce – 5
Six carries in half an hour when Fiji didn’t have much ball isn’t to be sniffed at.

20. Vilive Miramira – 5
Five tackles from 10 minutes at the end.

21. Simi Kuruvoli – 4
Quiet cameo from the bench.

22. Kemueli Valetini – 4
Came on for his debut when Scotland were breezing to a win, but got his hands on the ball in a short period and made an additional six tackles.

23. Waqa Nalaga – 4
Also on debut, it’s harsh to judge any outside back on a 20-minute cameo against a side scoring tries for fun.

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S
Spew_81 1 hour ago
'He wants players to be able to play four positions': Former All Black critiques Robertson's strategy

I’m not making it up regarding to Hansen’s intentions for the 10 jersey for the All Blacks in regards to McKenzie.


Lima Sopoaga retired in 2020.


McKenzie started in the third All Blacks vs France test in Dunedin in 2018. Hansen started McKenzie at 10 and put Mo’unga on the bench: Damian McKenzie's 24 point game! + Rieko Ioane hat trick: All Blacks vs France 2018 » allblacks.com.


Or see this article just before the match: Damian McKenzie takes hold of All Blacks No 10 jersey while Richie Mo’unga looms large | Stuff.


Damian is coming along nicely," Hansen told All Blacks TV. "He has shown he can play genuine test rugby as a fullback and the other night he put in a good stint at first-five for us.”


Hansen was giving Mo’unga a raw deal at the same time:


Hansen has indicated that Mo'unga will get a decent amount of game time, despite missing out on a starting spot. "Richie will get his shot off the bench,” said Hansen. "He has a strong ability to drive the team when he has been given an opportunity, so we are extremely confident he can do the job."


Mo’unga only got a real look in when McKenzie got badly injured and couldn’t make RWC 2019.


Hansen wanted B Barrett at 10 and saw McKenzie as the next option with Mo’unga in third place, in case of injury.

65 Go to comments
J
JW 2 hours ago
'He wants players to be able to play four positions': Former All Black critiques Robertson's strategy

Yeah I agree Hansen loved Beaudy way too much. Don’t see what that has to do with your statement of Dmac though.


I think you’re doing that thing where you make stuff up to fit the current picture you’re trying to paint.

But Hansen clearly wanted McKenzie at 15 (probably to take over at 10 later, like B Barrett did). So Cruden was on the outer.

Dmac had never been used as a starting 10 at any level by the point Lima had retired. Mo’unga took over, not Dmac.


Cruden was given the 10 jersey post 2015. He got injured in his second game, lost his jersey after that, but was still second to Barrett. Yes, many thought he should have been given it back (and that he should have got it back straight qaway), but Dmac wasn’t even in the picture at this point so you’re completly off track with those statements you’ve made.


That was the only occasion Dmac played 10, he was always at 15 in that period you mention.

After Cruden as dropped, Mo’unga was the only ‘knock out game’ test 10 New Zealand had. I guess Hansen sold them the idea that McKenzie was the way forward at 10, while Foster thought he could make B Barrett into ‘knock out game’ test 10? Who knows the thought process that went on.


Good job they cleaned the Board out.

Cruden was the first five version of Ethan Blackadder, he was not dropped, he couldn’t regain his place after injury and he said that his injuries were a big factor in leaving.


Hansen had nothing to do with McKenzie at 10.


That you comment about the board in this discussion is enlightening Spew!


Nothing you’ve replied with contradicts when I said about the inaccuracy of those highlighted statements. Bias is sending you waaay off track.


The facet I could agree on (not that you’ve really made the point) would be that by delaying bringing Mo’unga into the side, and instead continuing with Lima (or Barrett if you want to make Lima 1 and Richie 2), he cut short Richies prep for RWC 2019. It would indeed be a lot of pressure to handle being given the 10 jersey a few months out from a WC.


And ofc the old clicks penchants for dual playmakers and thinking Barrett can be a 10 (you’re preaching to the choir, just with bad basis of facts).

65 Go to comments
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