Defence will be crucial for the Vodafone Fijian Bati side when they face Scotland in their final Group B clash of the Rugby League World Cup in Newcastle, England, tomorrow morning.

In their last encounter the Scots had upset the Bati 18-16 at the 2008 World Cup and 15 years later they face each other in the same scenario at Kingston Park.

Consistency in effective tackles, completion rate, possession and running metres will be vital for the Bati. Against Italy, the Bati ran wild scoring 10 tries and landing all the conversions for a 100 per cent record. According to the NRL (National Rugby League) match stats the Bati defence was the difference in the match.

The Bati’s effective tackle rate had a 91.24 per cent succession rate as they made 229 tackles. They passed the ball 223 times, received 421 with 22 offloads and 10 dummy passes. From good defence they ran the ball 229 times gaining 2316 metres having 817 post contact metres with 10 line breaks and 65 tackle breaks. Their possession strike rate was 61 per cent keeping the ball more with 76 per cent completion rate.

The Fijians kicked the ball 17 times in the game and gained 416 kicking metres with five bombs and four grubbers. During the match they conceded five penalties and 10 errors in the game. Interim Bati head coach Wise Kativerata said:

“I’m impressed with our defence because it wins very important games,” he said.

“We will build on our defence against Scotland and most importantly for the quarter-final. Moving forward we have to continue keeping the ball and have possession in order to score tries. If we can defend our goal line and yardage well we should give Scotland a good game.”

Scotland head coach Nathan Graham said: “We’ve always gone out with the intent to enjoy this tournament. A lot of our players are working during the day, for those guys this is a massive thing to be involved in.

“Fiji is another big ask for us but we’ll do a body count– we’ve had some sickness in the camp – and hopefully we’ll be good to go.”

The match kicks off at 4am.

Bati line-up:

Backs: 1.Sunia Turuva, 2. Maika Sivo, 4. Kevin Naiqama, 19. Semi Valemei, 24. Vuate Karawalevu, 9. Apisai Koroisau, 7. Brandon Wakeham.

Forwards: 8. Joseph Vakacereivalu, 14. Penioni Tagituimua, 17. King Vuniyayawa, Viliame Kikau, 22. Siua Wong, 3. Korbin Sims.

Interchange: 11. Taniela Sadrugu, 15. Tevita Toloi, 16. Lamar-Manuel- Liolevave, 20. Henry Raiwalui

Story By: simione.haravanua@fijisun.com.fj