Wales v Fiji LIVE: Rugby World Cup result and reaction as Wales cling on for victory in Bordeaux
Wales 32-26 Fiji: Wales cling on as Fiji fall short of dramatic comeback in Bordeaux
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Your support makes all the difference.Wales put aside a disappointing year of results to hang on and edge Fiji 32-26 in a thriller on Sunday to give themselves every chance of advancing to the quarter-finals at the Rugby World Cup.
It might have only been their opening game in Pool C but the contest against the Fijians was seen as key to Wales’ hopes in the tournament in France offering them redemption after losing six of eight internationals in 2023, and breathing life into a beleaguered squad. Victory was almost stolen at the end by the Pacific islanders who were seeking to fight back from an 18-point deficit and could have completed an unlikely comeback but they knocked on with the tryline at their mercy.
Both teams scored four tries in a game full of line breaks, exciting running and bruising clashes that had the crowd on the edge of their seats, especially at the end as Fiji fought back from 32-14 down. Josh Adams, George North, Louis Rees-Zammit and Elliot Dee crossed over for Wales with Dan Biggar adding two penalties and three conversions while Waisea Nayacalevu, Lekima Tagitagivalu, Josua Tuisova and Mesake Doge were Fiji’s try scorers.
Relive all the action and the reaction from the Bordeaux below. Get all the Rugby World Cup odds and the latest tips and odds here:
Wales vs Fiji talking points
The Fiji magic men
Fiji’s set-piece game has undoubtedly improved under head coach Simon Raiwalui, but it is still an ability to cut teams apart through razor-sharp running angles and raw physical power that makes them such a threat.
Players like Semi Radradra and Viliami Mata can cause havoc with ridiculous ease, and there is no doubt that Wales could have their hands full defensively.
If Gatland’s team get on the front foot early, then they can boss the game tactically, yet that is far easier said than done against opponents who will fancy their chances of progressing from a pool that also includes Australia, Georgia and Portugal.
Wales vs Fiji talking points
Memories of 2011
There is an undoubted symmetry between the Wales World Cup squad that went to New Zealand in 2011 and the current crop of players. For 22-year-old skipper Sam Warburton, read current co-captains Jac Morgan and Dewi Lake – aged 23 and 24, respectively – while the new brigade this time around includes prospects like Sam Costelow, Rio Dyer and Mason Grady.
Twelve years ago, Ken Owens was at the start of his Test career, Faletau only had three caps and North just eight. Wales reached the semi-finals in that tournament – their best World Cup performance for 24 years – bowing out to France, and the same adventure of youth accompanies them this time, combined with vast experience offered by seven players with 70 caps or more.
Wales vs Fiji talking points
Warren Gatland’s pledge
Wales boss Warren Gatland probably surprised many rugby followers when he claimed ahead of the World Cup warm-up Tests: “I am telling you this team will do something pretty special (in France). I promise you now, we will surprise some people.”
Gatland is eight Tests into his second spell as head coach – Wales have lost six of those games – while headlines earlier this year were dominated by financial issues in Welsh professional rugby and player contractual problems that almost led to a full-blown strike.
Gatland, though, thrives amid adversity, and he has arrived at his fourth World Cup as Wales boss with a rejuvenated squad fit and firing following an intense build-up. Watch this space.
Wales vs Fiji talking points
Hundred-club key for Wales
The saying goes that you cannot buy experience, and such a commodity could prove priceless for Wales in the heat of Sunday’s battle.
It will be an occasion for cool heads and calm decision-making, so it should come as no surprise if the likes of George North, Dan Biggar and Taulupe Faletau make significant contributions. The cap centurions boast 323 Wales international appearances between them, with North among an elite band to feature in four World Cups.
It is Biggar’s swansong before he retires from international rugby, and number eight Faletau is back from an injury lay-off. They could hold the keys to victory.
Wales vs Fiji talking points
Familiar World Cup foes
Wales and Fiji will look to launch their campaigns with a momentum-generating victory. Since beating Wales in 2007 – a 38-34 success that meant a pool-stage exit for their opponents – Fiji have suffered three successive World Cup defeats.
Wales triumphed 66-0 at the 2011 World Cup, and although the two latest meetings were much closer contests, Warren Gatland’s team found a way to cross the finishing line.
Fiji are fresh from humbling England at Twickenham, while Wales have won only two Tests this year, setting up an encounter that should be full of twists and turns.
After year from hell, can Wales surprise at the Rugby World Cup?
Will this Rugby World Cup end up more like 2007 or 2011 for Wales?
Sixteen years ago, in France, a shock loss to Fiji precipitated a group-stage exit and an almost identical situation in the same location could well be on the cards here. Make no mistake, Sunday’s opening clash with Fiji will likely define Wales’s entire tournament.
Yet the optimists can look to what happened 12 years ago. A young Welsh side, with low expectations, dealt with the Fijian challenge in the pools, overperformed and made it all the way to the semi-finals. In fact, but for the most controversial red card handed out to Sam Warburton in the first half of that last-four clash, they would have made a first-ever Rugby World Cup final, rather than going down 9-8 to France.
After year from hell, can Wales surprise at the Rugby World Cup?
2023 has been a disaster for Warren Gatland’s men, writes Luke Baker, but the World Cup can still be salvaged
France under more scrutiny after England v Argentina fan chaos at Rugby World Cup
Rugby World Cup organisers have apologised to fans caught up in the chaotic scenes outside the Stade Velodrome before England’s match against Argentina on Saturday night.
Thousands of ticket holders missed the start of the Pool D opener because of the limited number of entry points and turnstiles, insufficient staffing levels and extensive security checks.
The weight of numbers led to crushes outside the ground and while organisers announced there were no incidents and all 63,118 seats were eventually taken, many supporters were concerned for their safety amid the potential for the situation to escalate.
France under more scrutiny after England v Argentina fan chaos at Rugby World Cup
Organisers have apologised for scenes outside the ground in Marseille
Rugby World Cup 2023 TV schedule: Channels, times and how to watch every fixture online
The 2023 Rugby World Cup got underway on Friday 8 September as hosts France beat the mighty New Zealand in a compelling opener in Paris.
A lopsided draw means pools A and B are stacked with much of the world’s heavyweight nations and sees South Africa, Ireland and Scotland all fighting to qualify from the same group.
It also opens up a path for progress on the weaker side of the draw and means two of Wales, Australia, Fiji, England, Argentina and Japan are likely to reach the semi-finals.
Rugby World Cup 2023 on TV: Channels, times and how to watch every fixture online
ITV will show the Rugby World Cup in the UK
Wales vs Fiji prediction
Buoyed on by their impressive win over England in the warm-ups, Fiji will give Wales a stern test with momentum fluctuating between both sides before Warren Gatland’s men edge themselves ahead in the second half.
Wales 21-18 Fiji
Wales vs Fiji line-ups
Wales XV: Liam Williams; Louis Rees-Zammit, George North, Nick Tompkins, Josh Adams; Dan Biggar, Gareth Davies; Gareth Thomas, Ryan Elias, Tomas Francis, Will Rowlands, Adam Beard, Aaron Wainwright, Jac Morgan (captain), Taulupe Faletau.
Replacements: Elliot Dee, Corey Domachowski, Dillon Lewis, Dafydd Jenkins, Tommy Reffell, Tomos Williams, Sam Costelow, Rio Dyer.
Fiji XV: Ilaisa Droasese; Selestino Ravutaumada, Waisea Nayacalevu, Semi Radradra, Vinaya Habosi; Teti Tela, Frank Lomani; Eroni Mawi, Sam Matavesi, Luke Tagi; Isoa Nasilasila, Te Ahiwaru Cirikidaveta; Albert Tuisue, Lekima Tagitagivalu, Viliame Mata
Replacements: Tevita Ikanivere, Peni Ravai, Mesaki Doge, Temo Mayanavanua, Levani Botia, Simione Kuruvoli, Josua Tuisova, Sireli Maqala
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