BBC correspondent Alan Lorimer: Scotland's backs will have to rethink their game plan (0'39")

An error-strewn performance made it easy for the quick-heeled islanders, who proved conclusively that they are back on rugby's world stage.

Scotland captain Rob Wainwright called the defeat "a demoralising match" - and little wonder as Fiji exploited a succession of unforced errors by the Scots.

Ian Jardine tries to find a way through Meli Tamanitoakula

For Scotland, who are on an eight-match tour down under, the task now is to get the show back on the road after their setback. They take on the Wallabies in Australia on June 13 and 20.

Scottish coach Jim Telfer said: "Turnovers and ball retention in certain positions were very poor. Moreover, we played very flat behind the scrum and never once tested the full-back under the high ball.

"We will have to think of ways of varying our game."

Scotland led 9-3 after seven minutes from three Derrick Lee penalty goals to one by Fiji stand-off Niki Little.

But a try by the lightning quick Fiji left-wing Fero Lasagavibau gave the Fijians the confidence they needed to play their natural running game.

Lee's fourth penalty goal stretched the Scotland lead, but just before the interval Fiji struck again as full-back Jonetani Waqa floated through a gap to lay on a try for right-wing Aisea Tuilevu.

Fighting spirit

Scotland were rocked again just two minutes into the second half when the Fijians worked a line-out move that ended with flanker Apisai Naevo scoring in the corner, Little adding the conversion.

But Scotland showed their fighting spirit by replying with a try by right-wing Hugh Gilmour in his Test debut from a set-piece move that twice involved number eight Eric Peters.

Lee converted, but then Fiji, with Waisale Serevi coming on as a sub, took over, the sevens star making an immediate contribution by creating and converting a try for full-back Waqa and then adding a penalty.

Hopeless situation

Two tries by Lasagavibau, both converted by Serevi, completed a hat-trick for the lightning quick New Zealand-based wing.

But to their credit Scotland responded to a hopeless situation with a close-range try by hooker Gordon Bulloch, Lee adding the conversion.

Even so, Fiji, celebrating their first win over Scotland, finished with a sevens-style try scored by giant loosehead prop Joeli Vetayaki, Serevi converting to bring the scoreline embarrassingly beyond the half-century.

The teams last met in Scotland in 1993 when the home team won 21-10.