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 7-10 Fiji
21 mins: Fiji gain some good momentum in a Wales scrum, before Biggar kicks a ball straight out of play to give Fiji a lineout just outside the Welsh 22.
Fiji keep the ball and Lomani is able to gain a couple of yards with a shimmy, before Fiji earn the penalty for a Wales infringement in the breakdown.
Wales 7-10 Fiji
18 mins: Fiji keep the ball following a quick lineout and suddenly they have space down the right following a break. It ends in the hooker Matavesi attempting a chip and chase down the right touchline, but Williams gets across to call the mark and sweep up in the corner.
Wales 7-10 Fiji
17 mins: Wales turn the ball over again inside the Fiji half and Rees-Zammit briefly had a chance for a chip and chase down the left touchline. His kick was blocked before Fiji recover possession in the corner. Liam Williams emerges from the pile of bodies clutching his shoulder, but he looks to be alright.
Wales 7-10 Fiji
15 mins: Wales win the ball back from the lineout and quickly looked to work it from left to right. Tompkins tried to flip a pass wide to the winger Cuthbert, but it was too low and Fiji were able to recover.
Wales 7-10 Fiji
13 mins: Fiji’s move grinds to a halt on the halfway line, before Lomani’s box kick fails to make any ground. Williams makes a positive carry before Biggar pings a kick into touch inside the Fiji 22.
TRY! Wales 7-10 Fiji (ELIAS 11’)
And there it is! Wales dial up the same play, but this time it’s five metres closer to the line. Fiji don’t contest the lineout and are quickly overwhelmed by the maul, as Ryan Elias bides his time before crossing the line.
Biggar adds two more points with the conversion.
Wales 0-10 Fiji
9 mins: Wales hit straight back and earn two quick penalties with ball in hand, as Biggar kicks for the corner.
Wales keep the ball from the lineout and that sparks the rolling maul. Fiji can’t withstand the pressure and it leads to another penalty, as Biggar again kicks for the corner.
Wales 0-10 Fiji (Volavola pen 8’)
Ben Volavola adds his second successful kick as he sends the penalty through the posts from 40 yards.
It’s a dream start for Fiji!
Wales 0-7 Fiji
The try is converted and things go from back to worse as Wales then concede a penalty at the halfway line, after good work from Fiji on the defensive side of the ball in the breakdown.
WillGriff John is down and is set to be replaced.
TRY! Wales 0-5 Fiji (Nayacalevu 5’)
What a start from Fiji! The try comes from the penalty, which was kicked into the corner. From the lineout, Fiji worked it well and a sharp move down the left resulted in Vilimae Mata popping an offload to the captain, Waisea Nayacalevu, to cross.
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