Wales vs Fiji LIVE: Rugby result, final score and reaction from 2021 Autumn internationals
Follow live reaction from Cardiff after Wales held off a brave Fiji performance to claim their first win in the Autumn Nations Series
Wales have held off a brave effort from 14-man Fiji to bounce back from consecutive defeats and secure their first victory of the Autumn Nations Series.
After visitors Fiji made an impressive start at the Principality Stadium by taking the lead through captain Waisea Nayacalevu, the match was seemingly set to turn when winger Eroni Sau was sent off for a swinging elbow on Alex Cuthbert.
But despite two further yellow cards, either side of half time, Fiji were able to retake the lead when Nayacalevu added his second in a sensational team score, after Wales had briefly hit back through Keiran Hardy and Ryan Elias.
And it wasn’t until late in the match that Wales were able to breathe comfortably, with Louis Rees-Zammit producing an electric finish after chasing down his own kick and player-of-the-match Liam Williams adding a sixth try when the clock was in the red.
Follow below for all the reaction from the Autumn Nations Series match:
Wales 14-16 Fiji
50 mins: Wales’ play is getting very ragged. Fiji are forcing all sorts of penalties and turnovers and Wales are struggling to build any momentum in their attacks.
Wales 14-16 Fiji
48 mins: It all gets a bit messy from Wales as they look to build the phases. Young spills the ball as Matavesi forces the turnover, before Volavola clears for touch downfield.
Wales 14-16 Fiji
46 mins: Fiji win it back following the lineout and clear to halfway, before Biggar’s kick towards Cuthbert on the opposite flank dribbles out.
Wales think they’ve stolen it back from the lineout but the referee brings it back for a Fiji penalty at the lineout.
Tuisue is back on as Fiji return to 14.
Wales 14-16 Fiji
45 mins: Biggar goes for the crossfield kick again, looking to exploit the gaps in the Fiji defence, but Rees-Zammit is denied by a crucial tackle from Volavola.
It comes back for an earlier offside, and Biggar goes back to the corner.
Wales 14-16 Fiji (Volavola pen 43’)
Despite playing with 13 men, Fiji have retaken the lead! Ben Volavola hits a brilliant kick from 40 yards, to reward Fiji for their positive start to this half.
KICK-OFF! Wales 14-13 Fiji
Fiji get us back underway at the Principality, and make an early turnover deep inside the Wales half.
Wales recover the ball before clearing, but Fiji are able to advance the ball back into the Wales half and Beard gives away a penalty.
Half time: Wales 14-13 Fiji
Here come the teams ahead of the start of the second half.
The first seven minutes or so will be huge for Wales, given their two-man advantage.
Fiji can’t get Albert Tuisue back onto the field soon enough.
HALF TIME! Wales 14-13 Fiji
An eventful 40 minutes at the Principality is brought to a close. The overall picture is looking much healthier for Wales following Eroni Sau’s red card, while Fiji will have another six minutes or so to play with 13 men following Albert Tuisue’s yellow.
Up until that point, it was looking like an uncomfortable afternoon for Wales, following Waisea Nayacalevu’s early try. Ryan Elias pulled one back for Wales but Fiji were the dominant side until going down to 14.
NO TRY! Wales 14-13 Fiji
It was Rees-Zammit, much earlier in the move, who palmed the ball back into play. But the TMO shows that the ball had crossed the touchline and Rees-Zammit stepped out of play too as he tried to keep it alive.
It’s ruled out.
TRY! Wales 19-13 Fiji (REES-ZAMMIT 40’)
Wales further exploit the gaping holes in the Fiji defence as Biggar pings a peach of a pass out wide to Rees-Zammit, who runs in to score.
The try is being checked, however, as it looks like the ball had gone out of play earlier in the move.
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