Fiji created history on Sunday as they claimed their first-ever victory over Wales in Cardiff and, in doing so, they also handed their opponents their 10th successive international defeat.
As predicted in our preview, this was a tightly contested affair with the game’s outcome in the balance for long periods but Fiji were deserved winners in the end as they eventually sealed a 24-19 victory.
Despite losing the services of backline star Semi Radradra, who was red carded for foul play in the opening half, Fiji held the upper hand for most of the match and Caleb Muntz was their hero as he finished with a 19-point haul courtesy of a try, a conversion and four penalties while Josua Tuisova also dotted down.
For Wales, Blair Murray and Ellis Bevan scored tries while they were also awarded a penalty try and Gareth Anscombe added a conversion.
The opening exchanges were evenly contested but Wales held an edge during that period and opened the scoring in the eighth minute when Test debutant Murray rounded off out wide, after Ben Thomas and Cameron Winnett laid the groundwork with slick handling in the build-up.
Despite that five-pointer, the visitors were competitive and five minutes later Muntz succeeded with his first penalty after Wales captain Dewi Lake infringed at a ruck.
In the 15th minute, Wales crossed the whitewash again when Winnett dotted down but the score was disallowed when television replays revealed a dangerous clean out from Tommy Reffell on Radrada in the build-up and the Wales flanker was also yellow carded for his offence.
Midway through the half, Wales were awarded a penalty try when Elia Canakaivata was blown up for illegally entering a driving maul from the hosts close to his try-line and preventing a try from being scored. Like Reffell, the visitors’ number eight was also forced to spend 10 minutes in the sin bin for his indiscretion.
Things went from bad to worse for the Pacific Islanders shortly afterwards when Radradra also received his marching orders for a dangerous hit on Winnett. Radradra’s challenge was reviewed by the TMO Bunker and it was upgraded eventually to a 20-minute red card.
Despite being reduced to 13 men, Fiji did not panic and in the 24th minute Muntz left his stamp on this match when he crossed for an outstanding five-pointer.
This, after the Fiji fly-half gathered the ball just outside Wales’ 10-metre line and showed his class as he beat five defenders with deft footwork before crossing the whitewash.
Fiji continued to dominate as the half progressed and just before half-time referee Luc Ramos awarded a penalty try to them after Wales collapsed a rolling maul from their opponents close to their try-line.
The visitors’ joy was short-lived, however, as the score was ruled out due to an indiscretion from Fiji’s forwards before, meaning the home side held a slender 14-10 lead.
SGÔR TERFYNOL
🏴19-24🇫🇯
#AutumnNationsSeries | #WALvFIJ pic.twitter.com/tQKLl5Fru0― Welsh Rugby Union 🏴 (@WelshRugbyUnion) November 10, 2024
Fiji were fastest out of the blocks after the interval and Muntz narrowed the gap to one point in the 44th minute thanks to a successful penalty and five minutes later he added another three-pointer off the kicking tee which gave his side the lead for the first time in the match.
On the hour-mark, Fiji took control of proceedings when Tuisova crashed over for their second try after powering through two defenders in the build-up and Muntz added the extras which gave his side a 21-14 lead.
Wales desperately needed a response and that came in the 65th minute when Bevan crossed for a well-taken try out wide after the ball went through several pairs of hands in the build-up.
Sam Costelow was off target with the resulting conversion attempt and that meant the visitors were holding a 21-19 lead with time running out on the clock.
Although Wales were piling on the pressure, Fiji continued to launch attacks and in the 75th minute Muntz slotted his fourth penalty which clinched a famous victory for the visitors.
The teams
Wales: 15 Cameron Winnett, 14 Mason Grady, 13 Max Llewellyn, 12 Ben Thomas, 11 Blair Murray, 10 Gareth Anscombe, 9 Tomos Williams, 8 Aaron Wainwright, 7 Tommy Reffell, 6 Taine Plumtree, 5 Adam Beard, 4 Will Rowlands, 3 Archie Griffin, 2 Dewi Lake (c), 1 Gareth Thomas
Replacements: 16 Ryan Elias, 17 Nicky Smith, 18 Keiron Assiratti, 19 Christ Tshiunza, 20 James Botham, 21 Jac Morgan, 22 Ellis Bevan, 23 Sam Costelow
Fiji: 15 Vuate Karawalevu, 14 Jiuta Wainiqolo, 13 Waisea Nayacalevu (cc), 12 Josua Tuisova, 11 Semi Radradra, 10 Caleb Muntz, 9 Frank Lomani, 8 Elia Canakaivata, 7 Kitione Salawa, 6 Ratu Meli Derenalagi, 5 Temo Mayanavanua, 4 Isoa Nasilasila, 3 Samuela Tawake, 2 Tevita Ikanivere (cc), 1 Eroni Mawi
Replacements: 16 Sam Matavesi, 17 Haereiti Hetet, 18 Jone Koroiduadua, 19 Mesake Vocevoce, 20 Albert Tuisue, 21 Simi Kuruvoli, 22 Isaiah Ravula, 23 Sireli Maqala
Referee: Luc Ramos (FFR)
Assistant Referees: Pierre Brousset (FFR), Hollie Davidson (SRU)
TMO: Eric Gauzins (FFR)
No comments:
Post a Comment