{"id":290249,"date":"2023-09-10T22:20:49","date_gmt":"2023-09-10T22:20:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/tellmysport.com\/?p=290249"},"modified":"2023-09-10T22:20:49","modified_gmt":"2023-09-10T22:20:49","slug":"wales-32-26-fiji-gatlands-side-manage-to-hold-on-to-win-thriller","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/tellmysport.com\/rugby-union\/wales-32-26-fiji-gatlands-side-manage-to-hold-on-to-win-thriller\/","title":{"rendered":"Wales 32-26 Fiji: Gatland's side manage to hold on to win thriller"},"content":{"rendered":"
In 2016, Wales\u2019 football team started their impressive journey to the semi-finals of that year\u2019s European Championship at the Stade de Bordeaux with Gareth Bale scoring.<\/p>\n
A 2-1 win over Slovakia laid the platform for one of the country\u2019s most unlikely sporting successes.<\/p>\n
Seven years later, Wales\u2019 rugby side and their supporters will leave here with similarly fond memories. But only just.<\/p>\n
This victory over an entertaining Fiji side would have caused heart palpitations for anyone with even a passing interest in Welsh rugby. For Warren Gatland, it must have been sheer relief.<\/p>\n
What a game this was. It had promised much. And it delivered. Wales\u2019 World Cup campaign is off to a winning start and that is absolutely huge for their confidence and momentum.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Wales commenced their World Cup campaign with an impressive victory against Fiji<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Louis Rees-Zammit, who made an important contribution, celebrates at full time<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Wales’ Nick Tompkins applauds the fans after his team’s victory over Fiji was confirmed<\/p>\n
Gatland\u2019s side deserve huge credit for roughing this out against the wonderful Fijians.<\/p>\n
They got five points too.<\/p>\n
Wales somehow went to the break 18-14 ahead after a relentless first 40, but their lack of brute force and inability to slow Fiji\u2019s ball down was a serious concern.<\/p>\n
For large periods Wales\u2019 travelling fans and those at home would have feared a repeat of the infamous 2007 World Cup defeat by Fiji \u2013 one which also took place in France.<\/p>\n
Gatland said his team would do \u2018something special\u2019 at this World Cup and the William Webb Ellis Cup was on show to both sides before kick-off as means of motivation.<\/p>\n
Gatland and Co had the Prince of Wales in their corner here, just a day after his wife Kate Middleton had supported England to victory over Argentina in Marseille.<\/p>\n
But this success was all their own work. Boy did it take some doing.<\/p>\n
Unlike four years ago \u2013 when their then attack coach Rob Howley was sent home from the World Cup in Japan on the eve of the first game \u2013 Wales went into this tournament on the back of a seamless build-up. After months of off-field misery and contractual and financial uncertainty, Gatland\u2019s men had hoped they had navigated the choppy waters.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Dan Biggar scores a penalty during the first half of Wales’ victory in Bordeaux<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Fiji’s\u00a0Waisea Nayacalevu dives to score a try during the first half of an enthralling encounter<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Wales’ George North is tackled by Fiji’s\u00a0Luke Tagiduring in an intense battle\u00a0<\/p>\n
Scorers<\/span><\/p>\n Wales<\/span><\/p>\n Tries: <\/span>Adams 7, North 29, Rees-Zammit 48, Dee 66Cons: Biggar 29, 49, 67Pens: Biggar 2, 24<\/p>\n Fiji\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Tries:<\/span> Nayacalevu 13, Tagitagivalu 17, Tuisova 73, Doge 78Cons: Lomani 15, 18, Tele 73<\/p>\n Wales: <\/span>L Williams; Rees-Zammit, North, Tompkins, Adams (Dyer 59); Biggar (Costelow 68), Davies (T Williams 38-41 and 52); Thomas (Domachowski 63), Elias (Dee 53), Francis (Lewis 63), Rowlands, Beard (Jenkins 59), Wainwright (Thomas 70), Morgan (capt), Faletau (Reffell 59)<\/p>\n Fiji:<\/span> Droasese (Maqala 75); Ravutaumada, Nayacalevu (capt), Radrada, Habosi (Tuisova 52); Tela, Lomani (Kuruvoli 52); Mawi (Ravai 57), Matavesi (Ikanivere 67), Tagi (Doge 67), Nasilasila, Ahiwaru Cirikidaveta (Mayanavanua 71), Tuisue (Botia 59), Tagitagivalu, Mata<\/p>\n Referee: <\/span>Matthew Carley (England)<\/p>\n Star man:<\/span> Nick Tompkins (Wales)<\/p>\n Attendance:<\/span> 41,274<\/p>\n Then, Fiji loomed ominously on the horizon.<\/p>\n Fresh from defeating England at Twickenham last month, the Pacific Islanders arrived in sweltering Bordeaux full of confidence but without their first-choice fly-half Caleb Muntz.<\/p>\n A knee injury ruled Fiji\u2019s talented young playmaker out of this tournament. Teti Tela \u2013 who is not in Muntz\u2019s class \u2013 started instead. It meant advantage Wales before a ball was touched.<\/p>\n Tela\u2019s initial attempt to kick-off was slightly delayed by a television busybody, much to the frustration of a sea of red inside the stadium. Wales\u2019 start was impressive.<\/p>\n In humid conditions, Adam Beard took the kick-off. Will Rowlands won a breakdown penalty. Dan Biggar nailed the kick.<\/p>\n Wales repelled early Fiji pressure. George North made a clear line break. From the field position, the ball went left and Liam Williams\u2019 excellent pass sent Josh Adams to the line.<\/p>\n Williams punched the air. Biggar couldn\u2019t convert.<\/p>\n Tela\u2019s attempt to put Fiji on the board after Wales overplayed in their own half was appalling, but he was bailed out by his barnstorming captain Waisea Nayacalevu.<\/p>\n The Fiji centre powered his way to the line. Fiji soon had a second.<\/p>\n \u2018Fiji, Fiji,\u2019 rang out after the Pacific Islanders scored straight from first phase, Semi Radradra among those to run amok amid some poor Welsh defence. Lekima<\/p>\n applied the finishing touch. Frank Lomani added both kicks having clearly seen enough of Tela.<\/p>\n Wales needed to score next and they did, Biggar nailing a kick. The fly-half then twice opted for the corner instead of three points and got his rewards as North scored under the posts.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Despite excellent effort, Fiji’s players were left disappointed at the end of the game<\/p>\n It was harum-scarum stuff and probably too open for Wales\u2019 liking. Fiji tacklers melted red shirts on a regular basis. Eroni Mawi had what would have been a third Fiji try ruled out as he dived for the line. Gareth Davies was then tackled high and forced off for a head injury assessment as Wales escaped without conceding further.<\/p>\n Biggar\u2019s extraordinary scalding of North and Nick Tompkins for not kicking the ball out with the clock dead summed up the edgy nature of Wales\u2019 state of mind.<\/p>\n Davies was back on for the start of the second half. Wales simply had to find a way of slowing down Fiji\u2019s dominant carriers and speed of ball at the breakdown.<\/p>\n Biggar couldn\u2019t extend their lead, missing a penalty. Then came a crucial moment. Tompkins \u2014 who had arguably his best game for Wales \u2014 was standing up to be counted.<\/p>\n Adams danced down the wing. And then out of nowhere, rookie captain Jac Morgan picked up and cross-kicked to Louis Rees-Zammit. The result was predictable.<\/p>\n Adams followed up his brilliant attacking work with a monster defensive hit and jackal. Biggar was struggling, but he battled on gamely.<\/p>\n Wales introduced breakdown specialist Tommy Reffell for Taulupe Faletau just before the hour and Aaron Wainwright switched to No 8. Fiji\u2019s jackal threat Levani Botia also appeared.<\/p>\n Both sides unloaded their bench. It had to be done. The ferocity and pace of the game was simply frightening. For those of a neutral persuasion it was a joy to watch.<\/p>\n Wales conceded a string of penalties on their own line. They escaped with a warning from Matthew Carley when a yellow card felt inevitable and somehow earned a goal-line drop out.<\/p>\n Carley then decided to annoy Fiji\u2019s fans even more.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Fiji’s Ilaisa Droasese (C) is tackled by Wales’\u00a0 Nick Tompkins (R) and George North (L)<\/p>\n After failing to show Wales a card, he promptly handed one to Tagitagivalu and Elliot Dee was immediately driven over for Gatland\u2019s side\u2019s bonus-point try.<\/p>\n Carley\u2019s decision to sin bin Tagitagivalu was beyond harsh.<\/p>\n Biggar converted and then limped off to be replaced by Sam Costelow before Wales prop Corey Domachowski\u2019s yellow evened up the numbers.<\/p>\n Josua Tuisova grabbed Fiji\u2019s third as Wales came under heavy pressure late on.<\/p>\n Peni Ravai did ensure Fiji left with a four-try bonus point. But Wales just about hung on with North pressed into an emergency flanker role and if Radradra had not spilled the ball at the death with the line gaping, Fiji would have won.<\/p>\n