Scotland trounced by Fiji

Scotland coach Jim Telfer surveyed the shattered remains of his team after a humiliating first-ever Test defeat by Fiji and admitted: "We can only get better."

Fiji swept the Scots aside in Suva, scoring seven tries to two, to inflict an embarrassing 51-26 scoreline on Telfer's side.

While the Pacific islanders have always been a top sevens side, until now they have always struggled at the 15-a-side game.

Scotland just could not cope with the pace of left wing Fero Lasagavibau, who ran in three tries, nor the creative promptings of Leicester half-back Waisale Serevi.

"We played very flat behind the scrum and never once tested the full-back under the high ball. We will have to think of ways of varying our game," Telfer said.

Telfer blamed withdrawals from the squad on England's leading clubs who he said were protecting their own interests at the expense of the international game. Stars such as Newcastle trio Doddie Weir, Alan Tait and Gary Armstrong pulled out of the tour.

Scotland captain Rob Wainwright called the defeat "a demoralising match" - and little wonder as Fiji exploited a succession of unforced errors to secure their first win over a Five Nations country.

Scotland had led 9-3 after seven minutes from three Derrick Lee penalty goals to one by Fiji outhalf Niki Little.

But a try by the lightning-quick Lasagavibau gave the Fijians the confidence they needed to play their natural running game.

Scotland were rocked again just two minutes into the second half when the Fijians worked a lineout move that ended with flanker Apisai Naevo scoring in the corner, Little adding the conversion.

But Scotland showed their fighting spirit by replying with a try by right-wing Hugh Gilmour in his Test debut.

Fiji, with Serevi coming on as a sub, then took over. The sevens star made an immediate contribution by creating and converting a try for full-back Waqa and then adding a penalty.

Fiji finished with a sevens-style try scored by giant loosehead prop Joeli Vetayaki.