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Wales edge Fiji in all-time Rugby World Cup classic
By Finn Morton
Wales have sent a message to their Rugby World Cup rivals as they kicked off their campaign with a tough 32-26 win over Fiji in Bordeaux.
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Fiji had a chance to win it at the death, too, but history will remember Wales as the victors of this all-time classic World Cup clash.
Coach Warren Gatland recently told reporters that Wales was “in a good place” going into the sports showpiece event, but many fans continued to doubt the perceived fallen giant.
Now ranked 10th in the world after a disastrous run of three wins from 13 Tests, the Welsh players needed to give their supporters something positive to believe in.
An almighty sea of red flooded Stade de Bordeaux with thousands of Welsh supporters hoping for yet another Warren Gatland masterclass at a World Cup.
Wales weren’t expected to win. Fiji entered the World Cup on the back of a famous win over England at Twickenham last month, and were tipped by many to even top the group.
But Wales let their rugby do the talking.
The crowd let out a deafening cheer as Fiji playmaker Tei Tela got the Test underway at 9.02pm. After so much talk, hype and speculation, the players had their moment.
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It was Wales who struck first, though, with flyhalf Dan Biggar nailing his first penalty attempt of the night in just the second minute.
Leading 3-nil, Wales piled on more points soon after with wing Josh Adams crossing in the corner.
Much to the delight of the majority in attendance, veteran centre George North sliced through Fiji’s defence in the lead-up to the score. Wales had plenty of front-foot ball and looked solid as they spread the ball wide for the outside back to score.
Wales were in control and they looked very comfortable in pole position.
But the game was flipped on its head in almost an instant. Telea stepped up and nailed a penalty to cut down Wales’ lead, but the best of the Flying Fijians was yet to come.
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Out of nowhere, centre Waisea Nayacalevu scored a brilliant try after collecting the ball on the bounce. But that effort, as incredible as it was, was outdone soon after.
Fiji went back-to-back in quick succession – and it all started with the man of the moment, Waisea Nayacalevu. The try-scorer linked up with midfielder partner Semi Radradra, who in turn threw an offload to flanker Lekima Tagitagivalu.
Following the successful conversion, almost suddenly, Fiji were ahead 14-8. The Test had taken a sharp turn in an exciting direction.
Even with their slow start, Fiji somewhat dominated the opening quarter of the Test with 63% of possession and a 74% advantage in the territory battle – but they only led by six.
Wales made Fiji pay for their failure to make the most of their attacking pressure with George North crossing under the sticks after about 30 minutes as the lead changed again.
Towards the end of the half, chants of “Fiji, Fiji, Fiji” echoed throughout the stadium as the Pacific Island nation edged closer and closer to Wales’ try line. But they came up short.
Later in the half, with about a minute before the break, Fiji were in an eerily similar position inside the Welsh 22. But once again, they couldn’t turn their pressure into points.
Crisis averted for Wales as they took a slender 18-14 lead into the half-time break.
The opening exchanges of the second term were always going to be crucial. Both teams were in the fight, but only one of them could emerge victorious.
It was there for the taking, and Gatland’s Wales were good enough to take it.
Tries to wing Louis Rees-Zammit and replacement Elliot Dee saw Wales take control with a commanding 32-14 lead with less than 15 minutes to play.
Fiji had the last laugh, but time waits for no one.
Tries to Josua Tuisova and Peni Ravai gave the Flying Fijians a glimmer of hope, but Wales did enough to hold on for a crucial win.
Semi Radradra had a chance to score after the bell, too, but the world-class outside centre dropped the ball cold with the try-line in sight. It wasn’t to be for Fiji.
"Wales have sent a message to their Rugby World Cup rivals"
The only message I received was "we are old and frail and can't follow the speed of a world cup without being on the verge of hypoxia".
As long as the they could use the numerous breaks in the game (water break, TMO, false injuries, whatever) they could get a bit of rest allowing them to catch their breath. Pathetic.
Fiji lost the damn match ya dud; Wales “took” nothing. Two tries wiped off the board for Fiji and a walk in at the end dropped (the conversion would have been tricky to be sure). Unbelievable to then write something about goldamn Welsh guts and glory, come off it.
The welsh simply can’t physically front up so for the most part they lie writhing on the ground trying to get an egg sucking penalty. Such cowardice.
Wales and Fiji have done Australia a big favour bashing each other in to submission. Some of the runs by the fijian forwards were scary brutal. You had to wince.
Rwc is stink. Fiji try prevented by illegal tackle. Result: Wales put in. One infringement equals a yellow card for Fiji. Wales receive helpful warnings. .Absolutely stinky.
A well-known trend: referee always judges in favor of T1 against t2. It should be stopped.
Horrible Refereeing, just ignored countless head on head collisions, the 'warnings' to welsh players and then immediate binning of a fijian is what most people will bring up but letting Gareth Davies pretend to be knocked out by a seatbelt tackle and not immediately sending him off the field is just wrong on so many fronts. Biggar proving yet again he is an abusive control freak, if somebody shouted at me like that I would refuse to play with them again if I could restrain myself from hitting them, shockingly unprofessional and not the first time he's done it.
Yellow card to the Fijian player showed how inconsistent the refereeing decisions were. Both teams played well but that was a shocker given the number of Welsh offenses "warned".