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Scotland v Fiji Odds

RUGBY LEAGUE WORLD CUP – SCOTLAND v FIJI BETTING – 5th November
Fiji qualified for the 2008 World Cup finals as runners-up in the Pacific group. Despite losing their opening qualifying fixture 30-28 in Sydney in September 2006, wins over Tonga by an identical score and a 40-4 defeat of the Cook Islands ensured their place in Australia. They will be favourites to overcome Scotland. However, Fiji must first face France in their opening Group B fixture on 1st November. Fiji, who will start favourites for that match, must overcome the French, 36-18 conquerors of Scotland, in order to have any hope of progressing from the group.

Latest Scotland v Fiji Odds

TV Coverage

The Scotland v Fiji match will be covered live by Sky Sports 1.

Scotland Reaction

Despite several contentious refereeing decisions going against his team, Scottish coach Steve McCormack refused to use these to excuse his side’s 36-18 loss to France. The Scots had two “tries” by Wakefield second row Duncan MacGillivray and Widnes half back John Duffy disallowed by video referee Phil Cooley. However, McCormack did express his disappointment with the circumstances which lead to Catalans Dragons’ centre John Wilson’s try. Duncan MacGillivray was knocked unconscious in a collision, and despite being surrounded by trainers and physios, New Zealand referee Leon Williamson refused to stop the game. Even the French players were calling for him to call a halt to proceedings. Three tackles later, Wilson went over for France’s fourth score. McCormack said that he considered that there were further contributory to the Scottish defeat, which need to be addressed promptly. He said, “We had our chance at the back end of the game to get some good field position when there was six points in it. We didn’t do that, and only had ourselves to blame for that.” French coach John Monie praised the Scottish side, saying that they were a strong side that competed well. He highlighted the fact that the Scots made only a single handling error in the second half.

Fiji Team News

Given that only some 500 Fijians play Rugby League, coach Joe Dakuitoga has done well to name a squad which should be competitive with France and Scotland in Group B. Dakuitoga’s World Cup squad promises to play engaging rugby, typical of Fijian teams. The emphasis is on panache in a line-up that includes the versatile Jarryd Hayne of Parramatta Eels, who is effective at full back, centre and on the wing. NRL colleague, Canterbury Bulldogs’ centre Daryl Millard adds further flamboyance to the squad. Fearless Newcastle Knights’ full back Waisale Naiqama and Bradford Bulls’ star winger Semi Tadulala are excellent additions from the Super League. The Fijian national side seldom disappoints. Despite a less than prolific record of wins, they have a reputation for inventive Rugby League. Overall, the Fijian side may be lacking in experience at the top level, but this will, almost certainly, be offset by overwhelming enthusiasm and a commitment to entertainment.

Dependent on how the Fijians fare against France, the Scotland tie, which they should win comfortably, will decide whether they progress to the quarter-finals, as Group B winners. France’s final scoreline against Scotland may flatter the French somewhat, but coach John Monie expects his side to improve after their win. He said, “We trained so much better than we played in the first half, and we were a little bit like England against the Papuans in that it wasn’t as good as we’d like.”

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