By Ben Jaycock, Assistant Editor
Wales…………………………….32
Tries: Adams 7, North 29, Rees-Zammit 48, Dee 66
Conversions: Biggar 30, 49, 67
Penalties: Biggar 2, 24
Fiji…………………………………26
Tries: Nayacalevu 13, Tagitagivalu 17, Tuisova 73, Doge 78
Conversions: Lomani 15, 18; Tela 73
Wales survived a late Fijian fightback to secure an important bonus point victory in an entertaining affair at Stade Jacques Chaban-Delmas.
Warren Gatland’s side scored four tries as they held on amid a dramatic conclusion with the Fijians threatening to snatch victory.
After looking out of sight following tries from Josh Adams, George North, Louis Rees-Zammit and Elliot Dee, Wales almost blew a 32-14 lead late on.
Late scores from Josua Tuisova and Mesake Doge left Welsh fans on the edge before Semi Radradra dropped the ball in the last play of the game to wrap up the contest for Wales.
Victory handed Wales a boost in their bid for quarter-final qualification after Australia defeated Georgia in the Pool C opening match on Saturday.
Head coach Gatland said: “Delighted with the win but frustrated with the last 15 minutes. We’ll need a thorough review to have a look at that but we just made some dumb decisions on certain things in terms of discipline and penalties when we were in control of the game.
“That’s the disappointing aspect but delighted about the win. We are that are still building so there will be a lot of learnings from today and I think we’ll get better as the tournament goes on.
“We’ve spoken about the issues that happened in the Six Nations. The time that we had together as a squad has been invaluable in terms of preparation. That’s been a real plus.”
The wonderful eight-try spectacle evoked memories of when Fiji defeated Wales 38-34 in Nantes in 2007, but this time the men in red were the ones celebrating at the end with fly-half Dan Biggar named man of the match after kicking 12 points.
Wales made an outstanding start, taking an 8-0 lead in as many minutes through a Biggar penalty and Adams try.
Biggar, playing in his final World Cup before retiring from Test rugby, kicked a long-range penalty before Wales carved open the Fiji defence.
North’s powerful midfield surge was taken on by scrum-half Gareth Davies before possession quickly went wide and Adams – top try-scorer at the 2019 World Cup in Japan – finished in style.
Fiji responded strongly, though, and Waisea Nayacalevu scored a 13th-minute try that Frank Lomani converted.
It was a breathless contest in stamina-sapping heat, and Wales fell behind just four minutes later after Radradra broke clear and his pass to Lekima Tagitagivalu gave him an easy run-in.
Lomani’s conversion took Fiji 14-8 ahead, ringing alarm bells for Wales, before Biggar cut the gap by landing a second penalty.
And Wales regained the lead after relentless pressure reaped its reward as Nick Tompkins sent North over between the posts, with Biggar’s conversion securing an 18-14 advantage midway through the second quarter.
Sharp work by Tompkins unlocked Fiji’s defence, and skipper and flanker Jac Morgan provided the assist by kicking into space and Rees-Zammit finished off, with Biggar’s conversion making it 25-14.
Fiji camped deep inside Wales’ 22 entering the final quarter, and it took sustained last-ditch defending to keep them out.
But the game looked to have drifted away from Fiji when Tagitagivalu was yellow-carded and Wales scored before he had barely left the pitch.
The forwards drove a short-range lineout, and Dee claimed a touchdown that Biggar converted.
However, Wales then lost replacement prop Corey Domachowski to the sin-bin for a technical infringement and Fiji had the final say through tries from Tuisova and Doge, but Gatland’s men held on.
WALES: L Williams, Rees-Zammit, North, Tompkins, Adams (Dyer 59), Biggar (Costelow 67), Davies (T Williams 38-41, 52); Thomas (Domachowski 63), Elias (Dee 53), Francis (Lewis 63), Rowlands, Beard (Jenkins 59), Wainwright (Thomas 70-79), Morgan (c), Faletau (Reffell 59)
FIJI: Droasese (Maqala 75), Ravutaumada, Nayacalevu (c), Radradra, Habosi (Tuisova 53), Tela, Lomani (Kuruvoli 53); Mawi (Ravai 57), Matavesi (Ikanivere 67), Tagi (Doge 67), Nasilasila, Cirikidaveta (Mayanavanua 70), Tuisue (Botia 59), Tagitagivalu, Mata
Referee: Matthew Carley (England)
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