Fiji produced a fine performance on the final day of the IRB U21 World Championship to come from behind to beat Scotland 21-19 in torrential conditions and finish ninth overall.
Even in the difficult conditions Scotland will rue losing a match that they controlled for long periods but Fiji took their chances well.
The Fijians started all guns blazing, their powerful loose forwards taking it to the Scots but Ian Paxton's men reacted well and opened the scoring through Greig Laidlaw’s try from an attacking scrum. David Blair's conversion made the score 7-0.
Fiji's backs then showed why they have been one of the talking points of this championship, attacking with purpose and pace to bring the best out of the Scottish defence until it was finally breached by Nawalu on 22 minutes as the thunder and lightening began.
Scotland seemed sparked into action by the change in the weather, though, and a try from Iain Kennedy and a further effort from Colin Goudie put them comfortably in the lead at 19-7 at half time.
On the resumption Fiji again came out firing but Scotland held firm as the rain began lashing down. The Scots looked comfortable and mounted a regulation attack on 55 minutes but Lovobalavu intercepted to score under the posts and in a flash the balance of the game changed.
With the Thiers pitch deteriorating under the heavy downpour, Fiji sensed their chance and seized the initiative. Tikoirotuma intercepted another wayward Scottish pass and set off on a mazy run to score and Fiji then capped a fine fight back with their fourth try to take the lead.
Scotland finished the game on the offensive but Fiji held on for a famous win, and ninth place.
Quotes
Scotland manager John Jeffrey: We are desperately disappointed as we had it under control at 19-7. They didn’t win it, we lost it. Throughout the competition, we’ve put in a lot of effort and hard work for no reward. You have to take your chances at international level and close out games. At half-time, we were 14-0 up against Australia, 9-0 up against England and beating Fiji 19-7, yet we lost all three games. Mentally we have to be tougher.
Ian Paxton, Scotland coach: They won but we beat ourselves really; the punishment for that is the result.
Waqua Etuate, Fiji coach: I'm the happiest man in the world! We missed out on lots of chances in the first half but were excellent in the second. The storm seemed to set us free.
Jone Qovu Nailiko, Fiji captain: I'm delighted that this team could get this result against Scotland, who were very good players.