Scotland v Fiji: Teams
Scotland coach Steve McCormack has made eight changes for the crunch clash with Fiji.
Last Updated: 04/11/08 8:44am
Scotland coach Steve McCormack has made eight changes for the crunch World Cup Pool Two clash with Fiji at Gosford on Wednesday.
The Scots know they must win the game by a 28-point margin if they are to make it through to the knockout stages of the competition.
Having lost their opening fixture 36-18 to France, McCormack has decided to radically alter his side, although two changes were forced.
Widnes loose forward Lee Paterson has returned home after being ruled out of the tournament with a knee injury.
Virus
Wakefield forward Duncan MacGillivray, who was knocked out in the defeat to the French but cleared to play, has been laid low by a stomach virus.
Iain Morrison was also struggling with the same problem but the Widnes player has been passed fit to start in the second row alongside Chris Armit, who is promoted from the bench.
There are also starting places for Oliver Wilkes and Mick Nanyn while Brisbane-based Wade Liddell starts on the wing.
Oldham utility player Gareth Morton and Hull KR hooker Ben Fisher will play their first matches of the World Cup
"We've got a quality squad and some of the players who have trained well deserve their chance," said McCormack.
Favourites
Fiji go into the contest as the favourites to go through to the semi-final qualifier against the winners of Pool Three, which is likely to be Samoa.
They turned the formbook upside down in their opening group game, hammering France 42-6 in Wollongong.
The hero of the emphatic win was winger Akuila Uate, who grabbed a hat-trick. He once again starts on the opposite flank to Bradford Bulls' Semi Tadulala.
Former Harlequins player Nick Bradley-Qalilawa could get a place amongst the subs with coach Joe Dakuitoga still yet to confirm who will be on the bench.
Scotland: M Robertson (Manly); W Liddell (Brisbane Easts), M Nanyn (Oldham), K Henderson (Wakefield), J Steel (Hull KR); J Duffy (Widnes), D Brough (Wakefield, capt); O Wilkes (Wakefield), B Fisher (Hull KR), S Logan (Canberra), I Morrison (Widnes), C Armit (Canterbury Bulldogs), I Henderson (New Zealand Warriors)
Replacements: P Jackson (Huddersfield), N Lowe (Keighley), G Morton (Oldham), A Henderson (Castleford).
Fiji: J Hayne, S Tadulala, W Naiqama (capt), D Millard, A Uate; A Noilea, A Groom; I Divavesi, W Sukanaveita, I Vonomateiratu; A Sims, O Sadrau, J Bukuya.
Replacements: J Storer, N Bradley-Qalilawa, M Tuiloa, S Tora, S Koroi, J Wesele, J Macilai, J Ravueta, K Nauqe (five to be omitted).