EDINBURGH (AFP) - New Scotland chiefs Andy Robinson and Chris Cusiter launched their reign by leap-frogging Fiji in the world pecking order with 23-10 win on Saturday.

Coach Robinson produced the ideal game-plan at Murrayfield to out-think and out-play the tough South Seas islanders.

Captain Cusiter came up with a stunning performance at scrum-half to inspire his troops.

Now they will set their sights on carrying on the momentum when they square up to Australia in what is bound to be a much more gruelling test next weekend.

Scotland had the bulk of possession and territory during the opening sparring session, but they were unable turn pressure into instant points.

New cap Alex Grove made an encouraging start helping to build phases and testing the Fijian defence with a clever grubber kick.

He prompted a huge clear from the crowd with a crunching tackle on lock Ifereimi Rawaqa.

There were also strong statements of intent from Rory Lamont and Simon Danielli as the Scots looked intent on keeping the ball alive whenever possible.

Having weathered the storm, Fiji raced into attack to earn a scrum inside the danger zone.

However, a slight knock on handed the initiative back to the hosts, who scrambled the ball clear via a free kick.

And they were handed an opportunity to break the deadlock midway through the half when Cusiter was huckled by two offside markers.

Phil Godman made light of the swirling breeze to fire over the 45-metre angled penalty.

A lob by Cusiter created panic among the Fijian back-ranks, who committed another offside offence.

It was a much easier kick for Godman, but this time his luck was out as the ball crashed back from the upright.

Sean Lamont then entered the spotlight with a fierce but fair challenge on Napolioni Nlaga, who has been top try scorer in the French Championship for the past two seasons.

Then came the moment the home supporters were waiting for.

Cusiter made a telling break into the 22-area before being blocked, however Johnnie Beattie was perfectly positioned to latch on to the offload.

And in spite of having three markers in attendance, he had enough momentum to slide over for the try.

Godman added the conversion to provide his side with a platform.

Scotland stepped up the pace further and Rory Lamont was hauled down just a pace short of the target.

Three minutes later, Godman stretched the advantage to 13 points with his second penalty success from close quarters.

The Edinburgh stand-off repeated the dose from longer range to inflict more misery on a Fijian outfit that was looking increasingly ragged.

But any thoughts of them being dead and buried were wrecked when they clawed back a touchdown on the stroke of the interval.

Mosese Rauluni's gamble in running a penalty paid off as winger Vereniki Goneva sneaked in at the corner - Nicky Little slotting the wide-angled conversion.

Scotland restarted with renewed vigour and enjoyed two slices of luck to get their victory quest back on track.

First, Little miscued a penalty before centre Graeme Morrison pounced for the second try, leaving the Fijians justifiably aggrieved.

Rory Lamont's flick-on to Morrison was clearly forward, however English referee Chris White waved play on leaving Godman with a formality of a conversion.

Little took his team's tally into double figures with a penalty for a high tackle by Al Strokosch.