Rugby: Ross Ford calls for discipline against Fiji

Published on 15/06/2012 12:00

Scotland captain Ross Ford has challenged his team to keep their discipline and structure in order to deliver a victory against a “dangerous” Fiji outfit tomorrow.

Ford claimed his first win as skipper when the Scots inflicted a shock defeat on Australia on June 5 thanks to Greig Laidlaw’s last-gasp winning kick.

Now the tourists will turn their attention to the match in Lautoka (kick-off 3am GMT) and Ford believes they must not be sucked into playing a Fijian-style game if they are to build on that surprise win in Newcastle.

He said: “We are going into this game still hoping to play good rugby, but aiming to play with a structure that we are comfortable in. We have got to make it uncomfortable for them and force them to play from deep, make them do all the work.

“We are playing a structured game and have to keep hold of the ball as much as we can.

“That is the best way for us to approach the game, keep the ball and keep the scoreboard ticking over, forcing them to play from deep, backing our defence, just not giving them a chance.”

For Ford, his maiden victory as captain brought some relief but he is now concentrating solely on Fiji.

“Conditions in Newcastle did not lend themselves to a great open game against Australia so I hope they are a lot better against Fiji so that we can get a far better performance and everybody gets to show their wares.

“We have got a talented backline and with some fresh faces coming in it will be good to see how, given the opportunity to do what they do best, they get on. Beating Australia was really great, and we did have time to enjoy it, but within two days, the focus had turned to the game against Fiji and how dangerous that can be.

“When you look at some of the clips of the Pacific Cup they have been playing in and some of the tries they have scored, they have been outstanding.

“They have been brilliant and they have some really talented players in the squad. They are a very dangerous side.”

The Fijians named their team yesterday, showing nine changes from the side that lost 29-26 to Samoa last weekend but only three changes from the one that beat Japan the week before in the opening round of the Pacific Nations Cup.

They have gone for size with a mighty back row and Jeremaia Yanuyanutawa, the Brumbies prop, ready to show the Islanders’ reputation for shirking the set piece is wide of the mark.

There is another new fly half in Jonetani Ralulu, but the men to watch are Watisoni Votu and Waisea Nayacalevu, the two wings.