Fiji player ratings vs Scotland | Autumn Nations Series

Fiji player ratings: Vern Cotter’s side had a little more time to prepare for the first Test of their Autumn Nation Series against Scotland, with a decent camp in France last week.

With that said, the selection was some way off a full-strength side. They did enough to silence the Murrayfield crowd in the first half and in truth, they were their worst enemies for the most. Discipline and unforced errors held them back more than the Scottish defence and Gregor Townsend’s men stuck to the script as the Fijians fell away.

Here’s how we rated the players:

1. Eroni Mawi – 7
On the evidence of the first half, Zander Fagerson will be glad to see the back of Mawi, who got the better of scrummaging contest in the first 40. Scotland adjusted after halftime and dominated the setpiece in the second 40.

2. Sam Matavesi – 6
Coughed up a couple of lineouts –  an odd 36th decision to go short ball in their 22 late in the second half standing out. Those blots aside, the Saints’ hooker stayed in the fight and didn’t give an inch in close quarters.

3. Manasa Saulo – 6
Looked every bit of his 132kg. Fitness aside, it was a solid shift from Saulo, who played a big role in gaining an early upper hand come scrum time.

4. Temo Mayanavanua – 5
At the coal face all day but was outshone by the debutant to his left, who was the belle of the ball today.

5. Ratu Leone Rotuisolia – 8
One of four debutants in the 23, Rotuisolia’s debut initially lasted just 80 seconds before he was directed to leave the field on account of a yellow card from referee Nic Berry. It didn’t appear to faze him mind – the big lock bagging a 5-pointer after impressively barging over in the 23rd minute. Crushed Adam Hastings too, who was forced off with what looked like a rib injury. A force to be reckoned with.

6. Albert Tuisue – 8
Never shy of contact, the London Irish loose forward set the tone by smashing Grant Gilchrist out the road off a lengthy run-up. Left a path of destruction around him everywhere he went.

7. Levani Botia – 7.5
The La Rochelle hybrid served up a huge hit on the hulking Duhan van der Merwe, who was left floor and gasping for breath. Provided vital go-forward in what was an industrious outing for the veteran.

8. Viliame Mata – 6
No stranger to Murrayfield, nor to most of the Scottish side, ‘Big Bill’ commanded a lot of pre-game columns inches but other than a few useful carries, this was more workmanlike than spectacular.

9. Frank Lomani – 6
A mixed bag from Lomani, whose decision-making let him down at times. Choosing to join the ruck in 31st minute on the Scotland line inside of shovelling the ball out, ultimately led to a costly turnover.

10. Vilimoni Botitu – 5
A lot of pressure was placed on the inexperienced 24-year-old’s shoulders coming into Test. While he looked convincing with ball in hand, his kicking just wasn’t up to scratch here. A steep learning curve for the youngster.

11. Vinaya Habosi – 7
Wasn’t found wanting for physicality, as Darcy Graham found out following a 16th-minute highball reception. Was athletic in the air, tackled hard and was a general menace. Deserved a red for a needless swinging arm to the jaw of Rory Sutherland and was lucky to be shown yellow.

Yellow for Fiji #SCOvFIj pic.twitter.com/c3jtg4L8nE

— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) November 5, 2022

12. Kalaveti Ravouvou – 5
Some duff defence from Ravouvou directly led to Adam Hasting’s try just before halftime. Played well below his abilities.

13. Waisea Nayacalevu [C] – 5.5 
Another oddly quiet first half for the Fijian skipper. It was followed by another relatively modest shift in the second, although a couple of decent defensive inputs stood out.

14. Setareki Tuicuvu – 6.5
A shanked penalty in front of the posts was far from the ideal start for Tuicuvu, but he more than made up for it by barging past Stuart Hogg about 60 seconds later.

15. Kini Murimurivalu – 4
Fiji had a nightmare day with the boot and Murimurivalu missing touch with a penalty in the 20th minute was much very much in that vein. Repeated sloppy handling afflicted the Leicester Tiger here in what was a day to forget.

REPLACEMENTS – 5: Prop Livai Natave made it two yellows for Fijian debutants, but none of the bench could do much to wrestle the momentum away from Scotland as they cantered home.