Wales vs Fiji LIVE rugby: Caleb Muntz inspires visitors into historic win in Cardiff
Wales 19-24 Fiji: The visitors came from behind to win for first time at Principality Stadium
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Your support makes all the difference.Wales suffered their 10th defeat in a row in a historic result as Fiji came from behind to win for the first time in Cardiff.
Warren Gatland’s team started the game strongly with their driving maul particularly useful in the opening stages as Fiji looked too weak to hold them. Blair Murray went over for the first try and Dewi Lake, from another maul, picked up a penalty try to send the hosts 14-3 in front with a Caleb Muntz penalty the only score for Fiji.
As yellow cards, and a red for Semi Radradra, halted the momentum in the first half Muntz decided to turn up the heat. He darted through a gap in the Wales defence to score and send the Fijians into the break just four points behind. After the restart the fly-half kick two penalties to put Fiji ahead before the powerful Josua Tuisova increased the lead.
Ellis Bevan came off the bench to score his first try at the Principality Stadium but another penalty kic kform Muntz put Fiji too far ahead with time running out. Wales couldn’t get in during a thrilling closing minute and Fiji claimed a famous win.
Relive the action from the Principality Stadium in our live blog below:
Fiji team news
Fiji make a raft of changes with their Europe-based players available after an inexperienced side were heavily beaten in last week’s out-of-window clash with Scotland. Waisea Nayacalevu is back as is named as co-captain as he looks to regain his form after a slightly slow start to the season at Sale, while Jiuta Wainiqolo has been flying in the Top 14 for Toulon. Eroni Mawi and Temo Mayanavanua should provide tight five strength.
Fiji XV: 1 Eroni Mawi, 2 Tevita Ikanivere (co-capt.), 3 Samu Tawake; 4 Isoa Nasilasila, 5 Temo Mayanavanua; 6 Meli Derenalagi, 7 Kitione Salawa, 8 Elia Canakaivata; 9 Frank Lomani, 10 Caleb Muntz; 11 Semi Radradra, 12 Josua Tuisova, 13 Waisea Nayacalevu (co-capt.), 14 Jiuta Wainiqolo; 15 Vuate Karawalevu.
Replacements: 16 Sam Matavesi, 17 Haereiti Hetet, 18 Jone Koroiduadua, 19 Mesake Vocevoce, 20 Albert Tuisue; 21 Simi Kuruvoli, 22 Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula, 23 Sireli Maqala.
Wales team news
Warren Gatland hands a debut to wing Blair Murray, who was born and raised in New Zealand but qualifies via his Welsh mother. Max Llewellyn, in impressive form at Gloucester, makes his second start in the centres while club colleagues Tomos Williams and Gareth Anscombe provide experience in the halves. Tommy Reffell is preferred on the openside to Jac Morgan, who has been carrying a knock but is able to take up his place on a bench that includes five other forwards.
Wales XV: 1 Gareth Thomas, 2 Dewi Lake (capt.), 3 Archie Griffin; 4 Will Rowlands, 5 Adam Beard; 6 Taine Plumtree, 7 Tommy Reffell, 8 Aaron Wainwright; 9 Tomos Williams, 10 Gareth Anscombe; 11 Blair Murray, 12 Ben Thomas, 13 Max Llewellyn, 14 Mason Grady; 15 Cameron Winnett.
Replacements: 16 Ryan Elias, 17 Nicky Smith, 18 Keiron Assiratti, 19 Christ Tshiunza, 20 James Botham, 21 Jac Morgan; 22 Ellis Bevan, 23 Sam Costelow.
Wales vs Fiji talking points: Gareth Anscombe deserves a break
Few players in world rugby during recent seasons have suffered more on the injury front than Wales fly-half Gareth Anscombe.
A major knee issue ended his 2019 World Cup hopes before the tournament started, and meant two years out of the game, then a groin problem suffered during the 2023 World Cup signalled another 13 months away from the international arena, which also resulted in Japanese club Suntory Sungoliath cancelling his registration with them.
Refreshed and revitalised by a move to Gallagher Premiership club Gloucester this season, the 33-year-old is ready to go again and Wales have welcomed him back with open arms.
Wales vs Fiji talking points: Experience key for Wales
Retirements and injuries post-2023 World Cup were major factors behind new-look Wales squads that had an inexperienced feel to them.
Head coach Warren Gatland’s 35-strong autumn group contains 17 players with single-figure caps, but a number of key performers – players like Gareth Anscombe, Tomos Williams, Will Rowlands and Adam Beard – are back after missing the summer tour to Australia, and their collective contribution could prove significant in helping Wales find a way to get over the finishing line.
Dewi Lake: It is time for Wales to start building momentum after losing run
Dewi Lake has urged Wales to “turn over a new leaf” when they begin their Autumn Nations Series campaign against Fiji.
The Wales captain leads a team desperate to avoid suffering a record-equalling 10th successive Test defeat that would match an all-time low of 2002 and 2003.
It is approaching 400 days since Wales last posted a Test triumph – a 43-19 World Cup pool-stage victory over Georgia – since then they have finished bottom of the Six Nations without a win and also lost to Australia (twice), South Africa and Argentina.
Dewi Lake: It is time for Wales to start building momentum after losing run
Wales have not won a Test match since the 2023 World Cup.
Gareth Anscombe says Wales will be wary of Fiji’s firepower
Gareth Anscombe has underlined the challenge facing Wales when they look to open their Autumn Nations Series campaign with victory over Fiji.
The countries clash for the first time since an epic 2023 World Cup pool game in Bordeaux that Wales won 32-26.
Wales, though, had to make a staggering 253 tackles in the match and withstand a ferocious Fiji fightback from 18 points adrift that included a last-gasp missed opportunity when unmarked centre Semi Radradra spilled possession.
Gareth Anscombe says Wales will be wary of Fiji’s firepower
Wales face tough challenge in Autumn Nations Series opener.
Mike Forshaw urges Wales to be ‘aggressors’ against Fiji
Mike Forshaw says that Wales have “got to be the aggressors” when they target ending a nine-Test losing run in their Autumn Nations Series opener against Fiji.
Wales have not won a Test match since beating 2023 World Cup opponents Georgia almost 13 months ago.
Defeat to Fiji on November 10 – Wales have won seven and drawn one of the previous Cardiff encounters between the countries – would equal their all-time worst losing run of 10 Tests set in 2002 and 2003.
Mike Forshaw urges Wales to be ‘aggressors’ against Fiji
Wales have not won a Test match since beating 2023 World Cup opponents Georgia almost 13 months ago.
Warren Gatland includes uncapped wing Blair Murray in Wales side to face Fiji
Wales boss Warren Gatland has named uncapped Scarlets wing Blair Murray in his team for today’s Autumn Nations Series opener against Fiji.
New Zealand-born Murray steps into the Test match arena after just six games for the Scarlets.
The 23-year-old, whose mother is from Tonyrefail in the Rhondda, has done enough to earn a starting place ahead of experienced Dragons wing Rio Dyer.
Warren Gatland includes uncapped wing Blair Murray in Wales side to face Fiji
Wales are targeting their first Test match win since the 2023 World Cup.
Wales vs Fiji LIVE
Welcome along to The Independent’s LIVE coverage of Wales’s opening Autumn Nations Series Test against Fiji. It’s been a year to forget so far for Warren Gatland and his callow side, a first win of 2024 still eluding them as they begin their November campaign.
Can a squad bolstered by a few senior figures return Wales to winning ways? Or will this dangerous Fijian side claim another significant victory after wins over England and Australia last year?
Kick off is at 1.40pm GMT.
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