Wales edge past Fiji in thriller

Wales survived a Fijian onslaught to escape with 23-13 victory at the Millenium Stadium on Thursday in front of more than 70,000 thoroughly entertained fans. Fiji had more than enough possession to put points on the board, but missed opportunities and resolute Welsh defense earned the home side the win. The result puts serious pressure on England to emerge from Pool A, but with no bonus point for Wales the door is left ever so slightly ajar.

The match got off to a flying start as George North broke through and nearly scored, but a desperate Fijian defense won the ball and Vereniki Goneva was nearly away himself, only to spill the ball forwards. Wales fired back, and a cheeky dummy from Gareth Davies saw the scrumhalf dive over for the first score.

Fiji came back using the strength of their forwards to earn a penalty goal for Ben Volavola, but a second chance was pushed wide and allowed Dan Biggar to erase the score with one of his own. While the Fijian backs were starting to find holes, they failed to protect the ball, and Wales again found themselves knocking on the door, with hooker Scott Baldwin on hand to pick up the ball and reach across the line.

A second Volavola penalty inched Fiji forward, but Wales looked certain to score as a penalty against Fiji put them in prime location for a lineout drive. The maul crept forward but Netani Talei blasted through the middle to engulf Sam Warburton and prevent the try before the break.

With the Welsh forwards tiring and their scrum in shambles, it was Fiji who scored next, but this time from a characteristic long-range breakout from the backs. Goneva took the final pass and broke away to score a huge try, with the conversion bringing his team right back into the match.

Biggar earned some respite with his fourth successful kick of the game, but Fiji continued to pour on the pressure. Line breaks from Asaeli Tikoirotuma and Leone Nakarawa threatened the Welsh line, but the finishing pass never came. Instead it was Wales who kicked for field position, and though Fiji looked to have won a turnover from a scrappy scrum, the referee decided that it was done illegally, and Bigger took the points as the whole of Wales breathed a collective sigh of relief.

Wales tried to score tries in the dying but there was no more scoring achieved by either side. Wales end their pool play against Australia on October 10 in a match that will have huge implications moving forward, while Fiji will be playing for pride against Uruguay on Tuesday in Milton Keynes.

WALES
Tries – G. Davies (7), S. Baldwin (32)
Cons – D. Biggar (7, 33)
Pens – D. Biggar (20, 54, 69)

FIJI
Tries – V. Goneva (48)
Cons – B. Volavola (49)
Pens – B. Volavola (14, 38)

WALES
1 G. Jenkins (A. Jarvis 67) 2 S. Baldwin (K. Owens 55) 3 T. Francis (S. Lee 50) 4 B. Davies (L. Charteris 14-27, 64) 5 A. Jones 6 D. Lydiate (J. Tipuric 69) 7 S. Warburton (capt.) 8 T. Faletau 9 G. Davies 10 D. Biggar (R. Priestland 72) 11 G. North 12 J. Roberts 13 T. Morgan 14 A. Cuthbert (L. Williams 20-27) 15 M. Morgan (J. Hook 70)

FIJI
1 C. Ma’afu (P. Ravai 77) 2 S. Koto (V. Veikoso 75) 3 M. Saulo (L. Atalifo 77) 4 T. Cavubati (N. Soqeta 69) 5 L. Nakarawa 6 D. Waqaniburotu (M. Ravulo 69) 7 A. Qera (capt.) 8 N. Talei 9 N. Kenatale (H. Seniloli 70) 10 B. Volavola 11 A. Tikoirotuma 12 L. Botia (K. Murimurivalu 75) 13 V. Goneva (J. Matavesi 70) 14 T. Nagusa 15 M. Talebula