THE Flying Fijians can hold their heads high despite bowing to an experienced Scotland outfit 37-25 in a pulsating encounter at Lautoka's Churchill Park yesterday.
Despite losing some of their own lineout throws, the national side managed to contain the bigger and mobile Scotland forwards in the scrums and during the rucks and mauls.
Inspired by the introduction of the new war dance Na bole, the Inoke Male-coached team played their hearts out to match the Six Nations rugby powerhouse in all facets of the game.
But a lapse of concentration in the last 10 minutes allowed the visitors to increase their lead after their narrow 27-23 lead in the 65th minute of play.
Captain Netani Talei, one of the standout players in the national team, said the South Seas Islanders played their hearts out against an experienced team.
Talei said, had the boys maintained the consistency in the last 10 minutes, it would have been a different story.
The Edinburg flanker said the boys needed to play the full 80-minutes if they wanted to upset Tier One rugby nations.
"I take my hat off to the boys, we played really well and we have improved from last week's performance. I thank them for their efforts even though we fell short," Talei said.
Coach Male said: "The boys gave away three scoring opportunities as they were drifted away in the last 10 minutes, giving Scotland the game."
"We performed much better compared to last week and our scrums are getting better game by game."
Fiji scored three tries to Josefa Domolailai, Waisea Nayacalevu and super sub Metuisela Talebula, with Ralulu kicking 10 points.
Talei's Edinburgh team mate and former flat mate, Tim Viser scored two tries for Scotland, while fly-half Greig Laidlaw scored 22 points with a try, conversions and penalties, adding to the penalty try late in the first spell.
Scotland led 24-11 at the break.