Scots beat Fiji to reach World Cup quarter-finals

Scotland (17) 29

Tries: McGhie 2, Lloyd 2, Orr Cons: Nelson 2

Fiji (5) 15

Tries: Senivutu, Komaitai, Naisewa

Scotland booked a place in the quarter-finals of the Women's Rugby World Cup for the first time since 2002 with victory over gritty Fiji in Salford.

Francesca McGhie continued her storming start to the tournament with the opening try inside two minutes to set Scotland on their way.

Rhona Lloyd's double, either side of Loraini Senivutu's score for Fiji, saw the Scots go in 17-5 up at the break.

Manuqalo Komaitai's try made things interesting, but McGhie's second score and a stunner from Emma Orr saw Scotland home despite Karalaini Naisewa's late consolation for Fiji.

The Scots now move on to a Pool B decider against Canada in Exeter next weekend.

After her stunning hat-trick against Wales on matchday one, McGhie was at it again, winning the race to the ball after a clever kick into space from Orr to go over for the score.

Fiji prop Vika Matarugu was shown a yellow card for a high shot on Elliann Clarke and the Scots made their advantage pay from a simple scrum move to put Lloyd over in the corner.

At 10-0 things looked under control, but a penetrating run from Fiji back-row Nunia Daunimoala carved Scotland open and the ball was eventually worked to prop Senivutu to score.

Fijian tails were up until Orr pounced on a loose ball to turn defence into attack. The ball was whipped wide to Lloyd who showed great pace to outstrip the defence to score.

At 17-5 up, the Scots were in decent shape but Fiji came roaring out the traps after the break.

A wonderful flowing move ended with Komaitai going in under the sticks. Suddenly it was game on, though bizarrely the conversion directly under the posts was charged down and Scotland still led by seven.

The response was excellent and a big surge from the forward pack laid the platform for McGhie to cross for her second try of the afternoon and fifth of the tournament.

Fiji went down to 14 again as Bitila Tawake was shown a yellow card for a high tackle on Elis Martin, a decision which was later upgraded to a 20-minute red card.

The Scots then got clear daylight on the scoreboard when Orr set off from deep and slalomed through the Fiji defence to score a stunning individual try and make it 29-10.

McGhie showed there is more to her game than tries when she made an extraordinary cover tackle to deny Kelerayani Luvu a certain try.

Fiji did manage a consolation try late on through Naisewa, but by then Scotland's job was done.

Line-ups

Scotland: Rollie; Lloyd, Orr, Thomson, McGhie; Nelson, Brebner-Holden; Bartlett, Martin, Clarke, Wassell, Bonar, Malcolm, McLachlan, Gallagher.

Replacements: Wright, Young, Cockburn, Ferrie, Donaldson, Stewart, Mattinson, Blacklock.

Fiji: Vueti; Nakoci, Ditavutu, Neihamu, Stolz; Kinita, Railumu; Senivutu, Tawake, Matarugu, Coates, Nakesa, Daunimoala, Fisher, Komaitai.

Replacements: Marawa, Naisewa, Robanakadavu, Yee, Waisega, Lomani, Luvu, Nailolo.

Referee: Lauren Jenner (NZ).