Forget Fiji, the biggest challenge for Scotland’s players this afternoon, when they play the Pacific Island nation at Murrayfield, is to show that they can live with expectation.
In his first game as head coach, Andy Robinson has laid down the standards he is demanding and has made it clear that he will not accept players falling short. On paper, it is a dangerous match for his side. Fiji, at No 9, are a place ahead of Scotland in the international rankings and were in the lead until the 77th minute the previous time the teams met, during the 2003 World Cup.
Despite that, Scotland go into the match as firm favourites because Fiji are not at full strength and their lack of preparation time was shown when they missed their flight to Edinburgh last weekend and ended up hiring cars and driving through the night to set up camp in the Scottish capital. In contrast, the Scotland players have known their team for a fortnight. They have had ten days to get ready for this match and understand that Robinson expects them to win.
“For us, it is about controlling the things we can control,” Robinson said. “We have to be smart in the way we play, have a high workrate, be clever in our decision-making and accurate in our execution. Then I firmly believe we will win.”
Scotland: R Lamont; S Lamont, A Grove, G Morrison, S Danielli; P Godman, C Cusiter (captain); A Jacobsen, R Ford, M Low, N Hines, A Kellock, A Strokosch, J Beattie, J Barclay. Replacements: D Hall, K Traynor, J White, R Vernon, M Blair, C Paterson, N De Luca. Fiji: J Matavesi; V Goneva, G Lovobalavu, S Bai (captain), N Nalaga; N Little, M Rauluni; A Boko, A Qera, J Domolailai, I Rawaqa, W Lewaravu, D Manu, V Veikoso, A Yalayalatabua. Replacements: G Dewes, S Ledua, L Nakarawa, S Bola, W Vatuvoka.
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Referee: C White (England).
Television: Live on BBC One from 2pm (kick-off 2.30pm).