Wales survive late Fiji fight-back to win WC opener

Wales began their 2023 Rugby World Cup campaign with a vital 32-26 victory over Fiji in an entertaining clash in Bordeaux, France on Sunday. Fiji produced a stirring late fightback and had a golden chance to score a potentially decisive try with the last play, only for Semi Radradra to

spill the ball forward with the try-line beckoning.

First-half tries from Josh Adams and George North, plus a pair of Dan Biggar penalties, saw Wales lead by four points at half time, despite Waisea Nayacalevu and Lekima Tagitagivalu scores seeing Fiji lead.

Wales scored through Louis Rees-Zammit and Elliot Dee to build a 16-point second-half lead, but Fiji fought back again with both Josua Tuisova and Mesake Doge scoring in the final eight minutes before Radradra’s costly late knock-on.

A textbook Ryan Elias breakdown penalty saw Biggar kick the first points and within moments, a superb North break got the finish it deserved. Biggar found Liam Williams, who then produced a brilliant pass out to Adams, who checked inside Selesitino Ravutaumada to score.

Biggar’s conversion slipped wide, and Fiji got on the scoreboard minutes later as Nayacalevu burst through the challenges of Biggar and Aaron Wainwright, before showing searing pace and power to run in.

Lomani converted, and four minutes later, Fiji had a second as Tagitagivalu scored a stunning try, finishing a move which included a sumptuous Nayacalevu offload to a rampaging Radradra, who ran past Wales skipper Jac Morgan as if he wasn’t there, before offloading to Tagitagivalu.

On 24 minutes, an offside penalty against Fiji allowed Biggar to bring Wales to within three points, and several phases of Welsh attack in the Fiji 22 followed a harsh penalty call against wing Vinaya Habosi.

Fiji defended their line and a subsequent lineout strongly, but, eventually, North demonstrated his good footwork and pace to skip through and score.

On 35 minutes, Fiji loosehead Eroni Mawi leapt for the line over a ruck to score. However, a lengthy TMO review followed, deducing Mawi had lost control and knocked on – though Wales hooker Elias appeared to get away with a no-arms tackle on Mawi just prior.

Wales went in at the break with an 18-14 advantage Biggar should have extended with a penalty from the opening play of the second half, but shockingly missed wide from on the 22. (C.D)

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