Wales survive late fightback to defeat Fiji

AFP

Wales fended off a frenzied Fijian assault to emerge 32-26 victors of their opening World Cup conflict in Bordeaux, giving themselves each likelihood of advancing to the quarter-finals.

Victory within the raucous, freewheeling contest affords a beleaguered Welsh squad redemption after dropping six of eight internationals in 2023, whereas Fiji’s hopes of advancing already look dented for all their current progress.

Victory was nearly stolen on the finish by the Pacific islanders who have been preventing again from an 18-point deficit and will have accomplished an unlikely comeback earlier than Fiji’s star centre Semi Radradra, knocked on with the tryline in sight.

Both groups scored 4 tries in a recreation filled with line breaks, thrilling working and bruising clashes that had the gang on the sting of their seats, particularly on the finish as Fiji fought again from 32-14 down.

“We always seem to make it hard for ourselves, but what we make up for with effort and courage and determination is just huge for this team,” flyhalf Dan Biggar mentioned after marshalling the Welsh resistance.

A profitable begin for @Welshrugbyunion 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿#RWC2023 | #WALvFIJ pic.twitter.com/ByIKuZjxJi

— Rugby World Cup (@rugbyworldcup) September 10, 2023

Josh Adams, George North, Louis Rees-Zammit and Elliot Dee crossed over for Wales with Dan Biggar including two penalties and three conversions whereas Waisea Nayacalevu, Lekima Tagitagivalu, Josua Tuisova and Mesake Doge have been Fiji’s strive scorers.

Wales tried to create house for runners, with drilled sample play and lengthy passes, whereas Fiji merely tried to line up remoted defenders all night time earlier than side-stepping or smashing them.

Both sides’ centre pairings have been distinguished in a bruising first half. Wales despatched North carving via the center from a lineout play earlier than recycling left to place Adams away within the nook for his or her first strive.

It was North once more for Wales’ second rating, working a thundering direct line via the center to gather a Nick Tompkins offload and go over.

But if Wales’ centres have been on hearth, Fiji’s have been simply nearly as good for the 2 first-half scores that got here between the Welsh tries.

Fiji coach Simon Raiwalui had urged his facet earlier than the sport to “Play like Fijians” and his staff took him at his phrase.

Outside centre Nayacalevu, England’s tormentor-in-chief in Fiji’s August 26 win at Twickenham, struck for the fourth recreation in a row right here with horrifying ease, blasting via an tried Biggar sort out and working clear.

His centre companion Radradra then made a crunching break from a Nayacalevu offload, earlier than chopping inside and offloading himself for flanker Tagitagivalu to attain. However, Wales wouldn’t wilt underneath the strain.

Adams exemplified their resilience with a thundering hit on Fiji’s winger Selesitino Ravutaumada within the fiftieth minute that left him flat on the deck and the Welsh bench roaring in defiance.

Wales then pulled away within the second half via scores from Rees-Zammit and substitute hooker Dee, and had appeared to wrest management of the conflict, earlier than a Fiji comeback despatched the stadium into delirium.

With the rating poised at 32-26 in favour of the Welsh and the clock within the crimson, impartial fan-favourites Fiji launched waves of rolling assaults as they sought victory.

But Radrada’s spill out vast within the clammy late night time warmth signalled it was to not be for Fiji, who should as soon as once more rue missed alternatives for all their scintillating play.

Wales subsequent play Portugal on September 16 in Nice, whereas Fiji play Australia the following day in Saint-Etienne.