Fiji claim historic win over Wales in eventful Cardiff battle

Wales slumped to a tenth straight defeat as Fiji produced a 24-19 comeback victory on the Principality Stadium.

In a high-octane affair in Cardiff, which included penalty tries, sin bins, crimson playing cards, and disallowed scores, Warren Gatland’s facet succumbed to a record-equalling loss that matches their winless streak from 2002 and 2003.

The hosts have been forward on eight minutes in a dream begin, as Blair Murray touched down on his debut to get the scoring underway.

Cameron Winnett got here from nowhere to attain what he thought was a second, however the TMO chalked it off as Tommy Reffell’s clear-out was deemed unlawful, a lot in order that the flanker was despatched to the sin-bin.

Elia Canakaivata was then adjudged to have collapsed a driving maul deliberately, incomes Wales a penalty attempt to himself a yellow card. And issues went from dangerous to worse for the guests as their star winger, Semi Radradra, was sin-binned and subsequently despatched off for a harmful problem on Winnett, which was upgraded to a crimson card.

Caleb Muntz broke away for a strive on 25 minutes, demonstrating an excellent burst of tempo to deliver the guests inside 4 only a minute earlier than Radradra’s sin-bin was turned to a crimson. And, with six minutes to play of the primary half, the Fijians had a penalty strive of their very own disallowed after a collapsing of the maul was overruled by an obstruction. At that time, Gatland’s facet appeared to be in good condition to finish their dropping run.

The second half was equally full of drama. Fiji have been again to a full complement as Prime 14 high scorer Sireli Maqala got here off the bench to switch the dismissed Radradra.

Josua Tuisova prolonged the lead as he powered over on the hour, however Ellis Bevan made an on the spot influence off the bench to arrange a grand-stand end, diving over to maintain the hosts aggressive.

Fiji full-back Vuate Karawalevu noticed his rating chalked off for a ahead cross by Muntz, who earned his reprieve instantly after knocking over a last three factors to seal a well-known victory in Cardiff.

Warren Gatland stated earlier than his facet’s first Autumn Worldwide that he noticed one thing in his youthful squad that left him unconcerned a couple of record-equalling tenth defeat.

Nevertheless, careless errors and defensive frailties when it mattered value Wales towards a star-studded vacationer facet, who have been refreshed from their drubbing by Scotland with their European-based gamers.

Fiji, ranked tenth on this planet, avenged their slim 32-26 World Cup defeat in model, with Muntz displaying his class at stand-off, Tuisova demonstrating his star high quality at 12, and Tevita Ikanivere main from the entrance of the pack.

That was all achieved with out their maverick broad man Radradra, dismissed for a harmful problem. However he was hardly missed, as a substitute changed by Maqala, whose expertise and tempo stretched the Welsh defence and allowed the Fijians to proceed their ahead momentum.

The fly-half sewed every part collectively for the guests, single-handedly dragging them again into competition within the first half, and backing up his skilled dealing with with correct kicking off the tee.

He held his nerve when it mattered, and had the standard to make amends for his ahead cross late on, knocking over an important final three factors to register a well-known win for Mick Byrne’s crew.

Wales: Winnett 7, Grady 5, Llewellyn 6, B Thomas 6, Murray 7, Anscombe 7, T Williams 6, G Thomas 6, Lake 6, Griffin 6, Rowlands 6, Beard 6, Plumtree 6, Reffell 5, Wainwright 6. Replacements: Elias 6, Smith 6, Assiratti 6, Tshizuna 6, Botham 6, Morgan 6, Bevan 7, Costelow 6, =

Fiji: Karawalevu 7, Wainqolo 6, Nayacalevu 6, Tuisova 8, Radradra 6, Muntz 9, Lomani 7, Mawi 7, Ikanivere 7, Nasilasila 6, Mayanavanua 6, Derenalagi 6, Salawa 6, Canakaivata 6. Replacements: Matavesi 6, Hetet 6, Koroiduadua 6, Vocevoce 6, Tuisue 6, Kuruvoli 6, Ravula 6, Maqala 6.

5′: TRY! WALES 5-0 FIJI (MURRAY) What a strive that’s, and it is the debutant, Blair Murray, who’s obtained it! A wonderful transfer down the backline from the house facet. Llewellyn and Thomas present fantastically comfortable fingers to launch Murray, who bombs down the flank to dot down within the nook!

20′: PENALTY TRY! WALES 14-3 FIJI The strive is awarded, and Elia Canakaivata is shipped to the bin for a deliberate collapsing of the maul, straight onto Dewi Lake, the ball-carrier, slightly than clearing out Griffin.

25′: TRY! WALES 14-10 FIJI (MUNTZ) What a break from Muntz! The stand-off produces a wonderful step inside and an impressive flip of tempo to burn away from the Welsh defence, holding a powerful left arm to slip over the whitewash and produce the guests inside 4, as he provides the extras himself.

26′: RED CARD, FIJI (RADRADRA) Nevertheless, that is the place the excellent news ends for the guests! Radradra’s sin bin has been upgraded to a crimson for that harmful problem on Winnett earlier! They are going to have the ability to exchange him within the second half, nonetheless, as Tommy Reffell takes again to the sector.

60′: TRY! WALES 14-23 FIJI (TUISOVA) Fiji lengthen their lead, and it is Josua Tuisova who’s obtained it! Fast ball abilities from Fiji both facet, as Nayacalevu breaks down the left facet and nearly reaches the road, however he is denied within the first section. Tuisova picks up the items, nonetheless, and he speeds by way of Llewellyn, holding off the problem, to slip over the road! Muntz misses the extras.

67′: TRY! WALES 19-21 FIJI (BEVAN) What an influence, Ellis Bevan! That would nicely be his first contact of the ball, and it stems from Jac Morgan’s carry, earlier than the backline switch it properly to the substitute stand-off, who bursts into the empty house and over the road! Costelow misses the conversion, and the Welsh stay two shy.

The victory is Fiji’s first ever on Welsh soil.