Ford: Ready for a tough challenge

Ford claimed his first victory as skipper when the Scots inflicted a shock defeat on Australia last week thanks to Greig Laidlaw's last-gasp winning kick.

Now the tourists will turn their attention to the match in Lautoka on Saturday and Ford believes they must not be sucked into playing a Fijian-style game if they are to build on that surprise win in Newcastle.

He said: "We are going into this game still hoping to play good rugby, but aiming to play with a structure that we are comfortable in.

"We have got to make it uncomfortable for them and force them to play from deep, make them do all the work.

"We are playing a structured game and have to keep hold of the ball as much as we can.

"That is the best way for us to approach the game, keep the ball and keep the scoreboard ticking over, forcing them to play from deep, backing our defence, just not giving them a chance."

For Ford, his maiden victory as captain brought some relief but he is now concentrating solely on Fiji.

"Conditions in Newcastle [where the Australia game was played] did not lend themselves to a great open game against Australia so I hope they are a lot better against Fiji so that we can get a far better performance and everybody gets to show their wares.

"We have got a talented backline and with some fresh faces coming in it will be good to see how, given the opportunity to do what they do best, they get on.

"Beating Australia was really great, and we did have time to enjoy it, but within two days, the focus had turned to the game against Fiji and how dangerous that can be.

"When you look at some of the clips of the Pacific Cup they have been playing in and some of the tries they have scored, they have been outstanding.

"They have been brilliant and they have some really talented players in the squad, they offload when you wouldn't think it was on, so you have to be very wary of that. They are a very dangerous side if they are given the ball and the space to use it."

The Fijians named their team yesterday, showing nine changes from the side that lost 29-26 to Samoa last weekend but only three changes from the one that beat Japan the week before in the opening round of the Pacific Nations Cup.

They have gone for size with a mighty back row and Jeremaia Yanuyanutawa, the Brumbies prop, ready to show the Islanders' reputation for shirking the set piece is wide of the mark.

There is another new fly half in Jonetani Ralulu, but the men to watch are Watisoni Votu and Waisea Nayacalevu, the two wings.

However, Ford believes Tim Visser can give the Fijians a taste of their own medicine when the Edinburgh winger makes his long-awaited debut on Saturday.

The Dutch-born 25-year-old became eligible for his adopted country on Tuesday after qualifying on the grounds of three years' residency and he was immediately drafted into the squad.

Ford said: "Tim has been outstanding all season, he has got fantastic feet and is very strong.

"He just seems to be able to make things happen from nothing, some of the tries he has scored are almost Fijian-esque.

"I am looking forward to seeing him get the ball in his hands early on and give it a crack to get his confidence going.

"I will be really excited to see him take the field for us."

Ford added: "It is good knowing that he is there, but parts of the Six Nations showed that we can score tries, and can put teams under pressure.

"Viss is just coming in and hopefully will be able to finish the chances we are creating and be able to get the scoreboard ticking over with tries."