Fortunately, the scuffles were quickly calmed and rather than suggesting disharmony within the camp, Redpath actually believes they are a sure sign Scotland are on track to get the win they need at Aussie Stadium that would advance them into the last eight.

“There were a few little battles but as long as people are sensible and there are no injuries, I don’t think it is a bad thing,” said Redpath.

“It shows the players care, which is what you want. The session as a whole was very intense and Jim had got the forwards wound up too. We want to prove we are not as bad as some people are making out and what happened on Wednesday was a good sign.”

The Scottish squad went through their paces for the final time without flanker Ross Beattie, who is suffering from a stomach virus.

Jon Petrie is standing by to take over, although Beattie is expected to recover for a match which could signal the end of some illustrious Scottish careers.

Telfer, head coach Ian McGeechan, Redpath and long-serving winger Kenny Logan are all due to stand down when the World Cup is over and bowing out of the competition without reaching the knockout stage for the first time is not the way they want to go.

“It has crossed my mind it could be my last game but I have not thought about it too much because I am determined it won’t be,” said Redpath, who had to have three stitches inserted into his toe earlier in the week after stubbing it trying to clamber onto his hotel bed to answer his mobile phone.

“You can’t afford to dwell on negatives, otherwise you will not perform. I am confident if we can play to our capabilities, we will win the game.

“We know Fiji are an unpredictable side who will try to attack us at every opportunity. That means we can’t offer them possession in broken field situations and we can’t afford to concede turnover ball. If we achieve those two aims we will have gone a long way to getting the result we want.”

Redpath leads a revamped Scottish back line which includes Chris Paterson at fly-half for the first time in his international career.

Gregor Townsend will slot in at outside centre while Simon Danielli is given the chance to improve on his record of four tries in four Tests after being recalled to the wing.

Much has been made of Paterson’s move to stand-off, a selection touted almost from the day he made his international debut four years ago.

The 25-year-old occupied the position with distinction during his club days at Gala but his 38-Test career has been spent exclusively at full-back and on the wing. Even with Edinburgh, Paterson has only played once at stand-off in the last three years and doubts persist over his defence against a Fijian side notorious for their counter-attacking skills.

Redpath is unconcerned about his new partner though, insisting Paterson had already made his presence felt in training this week.

“Chris is big enough to look after himself,” said the 32-year-old Sale scrum-half. He is very vocal on the pitch and has already told a few senior players to shut up and listen to him.

“You want your fly-half to boss people around and he has shown he wants to do it. If he gets into trouble he knows there will be players around him to help out and I have no worries at all.”