Wales opened their Rugby World Cup 2023 campaign with a nail-biting 32-26 bonus-point win over Pool C opponents Fiji in front of 41,274 mostly Welsh supporters at Stade de Bordeaux.
Wales' Dan Biggar opened the scoring with an early converted penalty after just three minutes of play in the first half. Wales continued their brutal attack on Fiji and Josh Adams scored a try in the corner minutes after the penalty goal. Wales led 08-00 after just eight minutes of play in the first half.
Fiji got their hands on some ball and captain Waisea Nayacalevu followed by Lekima Tagitagivalu, burst through several tackles to score Fiji's first two tries to take a 14-08 lead after seventeen minutes of play.
Wales' Dan Biggar converted another penalty, which was quickly followed by a George North try and ten minutes to play in the first half. Wales retook the lead with 18-14 which was the halftime score.
Wales continued their fine form and when Louis Rees-Zammit scored in the corner, after mastering a kick-pass, to score Wales' third try, Wales led 25-14 with thirty minutes left to play in the second half.
Wales survived an extended period of wave after wave of attacks by Fiji, however, Elliot Dee scored Wales' bonus-point try following brilliant work by Dan Biggar from within his own half. With fifteen minutes still to play Wales led 32-14 and were well on their way to their sixth win-in-a-row against Fiji.
However, Fiji refused to lie down and Josua Tuisova's try sparked a late onslaught, Peni Ravai having a score ruled out for a double movement before Mesake Doge crossed with two minutes left, and only a Semi Radradra knock-on in the dying seconds allowed Wales to cling on.
Scorers:
Wales: Tries: Josh Adams, George North, Louis Rees-Zammit, Elliot Dee. Conversions: Dan Biggar (3). Penalties: Dan Biggar (2)
Fiji: Tries: Waisea Nayacalevu, Lekima Tagitagivalu, Mesake Doge, Josua Tuisova. Conversions: Frank Lomani (3).
Teams:
Wales: 1 Gareth Thomas, 2 Ryan Elias, 3 Tomas Francis, 4 Will Rowlands, 5 Adam Beard, 6 Aaron Wainwright, 7 Jac Morgan (c), 8 Taulupe Faletau, 9 Gareth Davies, 10 Dan Biggar, 11 Josh Adams, 12 Nick Tompkins, 13 George North, 14 Louis Rees-Zammit, 15 Liam Williams. Replacements 16 Elliot Dee, 17 Corey Domachowski, 18 Dillon Lewis, 19 Dafydd Jenkins, 20 Tommy Reffell, 21 Tomos Williams, 22 Sam Costelow, 23 Rio Dyer.
Fiji: 1 Eroni Mawi, 2 Samuel Matavesi, 3 Luke Tagi, 4 Isoa Nasilasila, 5 Te Ahiwaru Cirikidaveta, 6 Albert Tuisue, 7 Lekima Tagitagivalu, 8 Viliame Mata, 9 Frank Lomani, 10 Teti Tela, 11 Vinaya Habosi, 12 Semi Radradra, 13 Waisea Nayacalevu (c), 14 Selesitino Ravutaumada, 15 Ilaisa Droasese. Replacements: 16 Tevita Ikanivere, 17 Peni Ravai, 18 Mesake Doge, 19 Temo Mayanavanua, 20 Levani Botia, 21 Simione Kuruvoli, 22 Josua Tuisova, 23 Sireli Maqala.
