Fiji vs Scotland: Player Ratings - Autumn Series Thriller
The Fiji vs. Scotland match in the Autumn Series was a thrilling encounter that showcased both teams' unique playing styles. While Scotland ultimately emerged victorious, Fiji's attacking flair kept them in the game until the very end. Here's a breakdown of the players' performances, assessed on a scale of 1-10:
Fiji
1. Josua Tuisova (Wing): 8/10 A constant threat with his blistering pace and powerful runs. He scored a beautiful try, showing his athleticism and ball-handling skills.
2. Semi Radradra (Centre): 7/10 The experienced center brought his trademark power and explosiveness to the game. He consistently broke tackles and provided a dangerous attacking option.
3. Frank Lomani (Scrum-half): 7/10 Lomani was the driving force behind Fiji's attacking game plan. He delivered accurate passes, orchestrated quick ball, and showed great decision-making.
4. Waisea Nayacalevu (Wing): 6/10 A strong presence on the wing, Nayacalevu brought a physicality and a strong aerial game to the match.
5. Mesulame Kunavula (Flanker): 6/10 A powerful forward who tackled hard and consistently made his presence felt in the contact areas.
6. Viliame Mata (Lock): 6/10 Led the lineout effectively and provided a solid presence in the maul.
7. Levani Botia (Centre): 5/10 Worked hard in defense but struggled to find his rhythm in attack.
8. Peceli Yato (Flanker): 5/10 A workhorse in the loose, Yato consistently put in the hard yards.
9. Eroni Mawi (Prop): 5/10 A strong scrummager who provided good impact off the bench.
10. Jone Koroiduadua (Prop): 5/10 Brought physicality to the scrum and defended effectively.
11. Api Ratuniyarawa (Lock): 4/10 Had a quiet game and struggled to impact the match significantly.
12. Manasa Saulo (Hooker): 4/10 Didn't have much opportunity to showcase his skills in a limited playing time.
13. Vereniki Goneva (Wing): 4/10 Had a few promising moments but lacked consistency throughout the match.
14. Inoke Male (Fullback): 3/10 Struggled in defense and didn't have much impact on the game.
15. Teti Tela (Fly-half): 2/10 Missed crucial kicks and struggled to find his footing in the game.
Scotland
1. Rory Sutherland (Prop): 7/10 A solid performance from the experienced prop, providing a strong foundation in the scrum.
2. George Turner (Hooker): 7/10 A reliable presence in the lineout, Turner also secured crucial turnovers.
3. Zander Fagerson (Prop): 7/10 A powerful scrummager who consistently won his battles against the Fijian pack.
4. Grant Gilchrist (Lock): 7/10 An excellent leader and communicator, Gilchrist provided a strong lineout presence and led the way in defense.
5. Jonny Gray (Lock): 6/10 A workhorse in the second row, Gray put in a strong defensive shift and made crucial tackles.
6. Jamie Ritchie (Flanker): 7/10 A tireless performer, Ritchie was dominant in the contact areas, making crucial tackles and turnovers.
7. Hamish Watson (Flanker): 8/10 An exceptional performance from Watson, who was everywhere on the pitch. He was a tackling machine, won several crucial turnovers, and even scored a try.
8. Matt Fagerson (No. 8): 6/10 A hard-working forward who carried the ball well and provided crucial impact in the contact areas.
9. Ali Price (Scrum-half): 6/10 Distributed the ball effectively and provided quick service at the breakdown.
10. Finn Russell (Fly-half): 7/10 A master orchestrator, Russell was able to create scoring opportunities for his team and kick accurately.
11. Duhan van der Merwe (Wing): 7/10 A strong presence on the wing, van der Merwe was a consistent threat and scored a well-taken try.
12. Sam Johnson (Centre): 6/10 Made strong tackles and provided a physical presence in the midfield.
13. Sione Tuipulotu (Centre): 6/10 Ran hard with the ball and made crucial tackles, displaying his versatility.
14. Kyle Steyn (Wing): 6/10 Had a few dangerous runs and consistently looked threatening.
15. Blair Kinghorn (Fullback): 5/10 Had a few strong moments but made some crucial mistakes that cost his team.
Overall
This match highlighted the contrasting styles of both teams. Fiji's attacking flair and flair for the spectacular was on full display, but Scotland's structured game and strong defense proved too much to handle. This was a game that will be remembered for the excitement it provided, and the individual brilliance shown by players from both teams.