Review: Wales vs Fiji
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Review: Wales vs Fiji
Fiji travelled to the Millennium stadium looking for a win against a Welsh side buoyed by the weekend’s historic victory over England. Wales looked like a side in search of a bonus point from the get go, with George North making an early burst to the Fijian line.
This early pressure eventually told, allowing man of the match Gareth Davies squeeze over from close range. Fiji grew in to the contest, and courtesy of a couple of big scrum penalties managed to get back in the game through the boot of young Ben Volavola.
The game quickly turned into a frantic back and forth clash between two sides willing to throw the ball around, but a good finish from close range by Scott Baldwin allowed Wales some breathing space at the break, 17-6 the half time score.
The second half began in much the same vain as the first, with breathless action from the off. This time it was Fiji who started the better of the two sides, and a blistering break from Tikorotuma set up a fantastic score for Niki Goneva in the corner. That made the score 17-13 with over half an hour to play, and the Welsh players were visibly nervy as Fiji relentlessly attacked with numbers. The Welsh somehow held out on a number of occasions, before another two late penalty goals saw them home 23-13.
In the end, Wales will be happy with their win. However, failing to secure the bonus point may cost them as the group progresses. Gatland will need to look at his scrum after his pack were bullied off the ball all afternoon. Regardless, his depleted Welsh outfit put on a terrific exhibition against a scrappy, abrasive Fijian side.
