Ben Fisher said Scotland simply did not compete well enough after their disappointing 48-0 World Cup loss to Tonga.
Mateo reckons three-day turnaround was a factor
Scotland's stand-in captain Ben Fisher was the first to admit they simply did not compete well enough after their World Cup campaign ended with a disappointing 48-0 loss to Tonga.
The Bravehearts conceded eight tries in Rockhampton, the match coming only three days after they scored an unexpected 18-16 victory against Fiji.
"We missed tackles, the non-completion rate was terrible and you can't do that against a class outfit like Tonga with all the superstars in their side," the Hull KR player told
Fox Sports.
"This is rugby league, if you turn over cheap possession you get your pants pulled down."
Sydney-born Fisher, who led the team in Danny Brough's absence, said he was highly impressed by the Tongan display.
"Even watching a side like Tonga, playing against them it's a bit better to learn from them," he continued.
"You see the way they work together, the offloads, how they push and things like that.
"It's just something that we'll have to for next time take a leaf out of their book."
Nevertheless, although the tournament ended on a definite a sour note, Fisher added that Scotland will take with them fond memories of their breakthrough World Cup win earlier this week.
"Yeah it was (special), a first win for Scotland in a World Cup so we're happy about that," he said.
"The boys, to their credit, are a good bunch of blokes, everyone put their heart out there today and tried really hard. We were just unlucky today."
One-sided
Feleti Mateo was named man of the match for Tonga after scoring the game's opening try and also having a hand in several others.
The Parramatta star said after the match he thought the short turnaround Scotland had between matches contributed to the one-sided nature of the game.
"We knew the heat was a big factor in the game and we knew that they played not too long ago," Mateo said.
"We thought if we stuck it out the first 20 we could get them in the back half of the first half and hopefully take it home in the second half."
The 24-year-old also paid tribute to a Tongan backline which scored seven of the eight tries in the game, including a brace for winger Cooper Vuna.
"To use those backs you've just got to go forward and hold onto the ball, as any team has to. We're just lucky enough to have exciting backs like them," Mateo added.
