Pool Matches - Week 3: Fiji v Scotland preview
Fiji look to the knockout stage as Scotland try to end on a high
Fiji are looking to assert their place as the other quarter-finalists in Group B when they go head to head with Scotland at the Kingston Park in Newcastle.
The Bati have had to overcome it all since arriving in the UK. They lost coach Joe Rabele to an illness just days after touching down and have also had to deal with a plethora of injuries during warm-up matches and training. Despite this, Fiji are solidly placed to advance into the quarter finals. They didn't let anyone down in their match against Australia, although the score-line flattered them in the final washup. Before brushing aside Italy by 56 points in their second group match in a dominating display at the same venue as this match with Scotland.
Interim coach Wise Kativerata made the bold decision to move Api Koroisau to 5/8. That decision paid off in spectacular fashion as the future Tiger was putting on a clinic down the left hand side with Viliame Kikau and Maika Sivo both crossing for a brace of their own. Another bright spot in this World Cup for the Bati is the emergence of young Siua Wong as a damaging edge back-rower, look for him to cause Kane Linnett problems all afternoon.
Scotland have had a disappointing World Cup, there's no other way to put it unfortunately. On paper, it was scheduled to be a tough tournament for the Brave Hearts. However, it's gone all wrong for the boys from Scotland. A poor performance first up against an undermanned Italy line-up was the catalyst for how this tournament was going to go. While they tried their hearts out against Australia, a side with that much talent was always going to run away with it to the tune of 84-0.
Coach Nathan Graham has to take some level of responsibility for the first defeat to Italy, but there's absolutely nothing he could've done to avoid the farce that was last start against Australia. This match is a great opportunity for the Scottish side to put some heart back into the jersey and to represent their country with pride.
Last meeting: Scotland remarkably won the last meeting of these two sides at the 2008 RLWC, defeating the Bati by 18-16 at Central Coast Stadium in Gosford.
Who to watch: Following a strong start to the World Cup, Tui Kamikamica will be looking to continue his good run of recent form. Kamikamica has run for 100m in both clashes thus far in this World Cup and has only missed one tackle throughout this tournament. Tui often attracts multiple defenders to a tackle and with his ability to get a quick play the ball and stun the opposition, it could be a long day turned night for the Scottish side.
It's hard to find a specific player to look at, so we're going to look at the future. Logan Bayliss-Brow is a development player with the Brisbane Broncos and has been trying his heart out in this tournament thus far. Bayliss-Brow was strong against Italy, but last week he was a little quiet only running for 25 meters and making the same number of tackles. While the possession count and velocity of the Australian defence can excuse the running meters. Look for the young Bronco and Brave Heart to win his battle with Tui Kamikamica in this clash.
The favourite: Unsurprisingly, the Fiji Bati are strong favourites to win this clash between these two nations.
My tip: Scotland just lack the experience at international level. Fiji have it in droves and it should be enough to see them win this clash in Newcastle. Scotland were starved of possession last start against Australia, but when they did have it against Italy, the attack was rushed and the halves showed no composure. Fiji by 24.
