Scotland sneak through after Fiji battering

10.00pm UPDATE - By JULIAN LINDEN


SCOTLAND 22 FIJI 20


SYDNEY - Prop Tom Smith scored a try three minutes from time to give Scotland a 22-20 win over brave Fiji and a place in the World Cup quarterfinals against either Australia or Ireland.

Fiji looked in control after Rupeni Caucaunibuca, just back from a two-match ban, scored two spectacular first-half tries.

But the Scots clawed their way back with five penalties from first five-eighths Chris Paterson before Smith plunged over from a rolling maul in the dying minutes.

Although Scotland still would have advanced to the last eight behind pool B winners France with a draw, Paterson calmly slotted over the conversion to give them a two-point win.

Defeat would have meant the Scots failing to reach the quarters for the first time in a World Cup.

"That was very close," Scotland captain Bryan Redpath.

"That man Caucau just killed us. They were exceptional. He is one of the best wingers out there, no question."

Caucaunibuca produced one of the most destructive performances by a winger since Jonah Lomu steamrolled England at the 1995 World Cup to breathe new life into a tournament bedevilled by predictable lop-sided results.

Playing his first match since returning to the side after a two-match ban for punching French flanker Olivier Magne, Caucaunibuca brought the Sydney Football Stadium crowd to their feet.

He scored the first try after 13 minutes when he got the ball about 30 metres from the Scottish line.

First five-eighths Nicky Little had looped around the backline before the winger beat three defenders in a rampaging run to the left corner.

Little converted from the sideline to put Fiji 7-0 in front and the Pacific Islanders were unlucky not to score again when Aisea Tilevu scooped up a spilled Scottish pass and sprinted 60 metres before Glenn Metcalfe bundled him into the corner post.

Fiji almost scored again when Metcalfe was slow to react to a missed drop goal attempt from Seru Rabeni and only a wicked bounce prevented Caucaunibuca from scoring.

Starved of possession, Scotland survived the early onslaught and pulled back to 7-6 with two penalties from makeshift first five-eighths Paterson before Caucaunibuca struck again.

Electing to run the ball inside their own quarter, Fiji swung the ball wide and he swatted off two defenders in an 80-metre dash to the line in one of the best tries of the tournament.

The Scots dominated possession in the second half as the Fijian forwards began to tire but squandered any chance they had of scoring a try through sloppy handling in the backs.

Paterson booted three unanswered penalties, however, to put the Scots 15-14 ahead for the first time midway through the second half only for Little to put the Fijians back in front with a 40-metre penalty.

Fiji almost sealed the match when lock Ifereimi Rawaqa broke through only for Metcalfe to pull off another try-saving tackle but Little kicked another penalty to give his side a five-point lead with less than six minutes remaining.

Fiji were reduced to 14 men when Api Naevo was yellow-carded moments later for an infringement at the ruck and Scotland took full advantage by winning the lineout and driving the maul over for Smith to score the match winner.

Halftime: 6-14

Teams:

Scotland: 15-Glenn Metcalfe (22-Ben Hinshelwood 73); 14-Simon Danielli (21-James McLaren 40), 13-Gregor Townsend, 12-Andrew Henderson, 11-Kenny Logan; 10-Chris Paterson, 9-Bryan Redpath (captain); 8-Cameron Mather, 7-Simon Taylor, 6-Ross Beattie (18-Jason White 45), 5-Stuart Grimes, 4-Nathan Hines, 3-Bruce Douglas, 2-Gordon Bulloch, 1-Tom Smith

Fiji: 15-Norman Ligairi; 14-Aisea Tuilevu, 13-Epeli Ruivadra, 12-Seru Rabeni (22-Vilimoni Delasau 77), 11-Rupeni Caucaunibuca; 10-Nicky Little, 9-Mosese Rauluni (20-Jacob Rauluni 66); 8-Alifereti Doviverata (captain), 7-Koli Sewabu (19-Kitione Salawa 68), 6-Vula Maimuri (18-Sisa Koyamaibole 49), 5-Api Naevo, 4-Ifereimi Rawaqa, 3-Joeli Veitayaki, 2-Greg Smith (16-Naca Seru 32), 1-Isaia Rasila.

Referee: Tony Spreadbury (England)


- REUTERS

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