Held: Wales and Fiji draw
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Wales had to settle for a 16-16 draw against Fiji in Cardiff, but the islanders will consider Friday's result as another huge victory.
The talk before the game had been of restoring morale after defeats by Australia and South Africa, in preparation for the visit of New Zealand next week.
But Welsh spirits will be close to rock-bottom after this woeful display - disjoined and error-strewn, lacking in direction and purpose, Wales only avoided a defeat thanks to their dominance at the scrum.
Seremeia Bai kicked an injury-time penalty to earn Fiji a draw which was the very least their spirit and ambition deserved. Had they possessed a decent front row, they probably would have won comfortably.
Wales edged ahead after six minutes through a Dan Biggar penalty and attempted to play the tight, controlled game which Warren Gatland had demanded.
But there were too many errors to take advantage of a clear dominance at the breakdown and Wales quickly became bogged down.
Bai levelled the scores after an obstruction at the ruck and although Biggar kicked another penalty for a spear-tackle on Aled Brew which earned Bai a yellow card, Josh Matavesi levelled the scores soon afterwards.
And it was Fiji who went in ahead at the break after taking advantage of the half's only clear-cut chance.
Wales lost a lineout in their own 22 and Sisa Koyamaibole rumbled to within five metres of the line. The ball was shipped out wide and Albert Vulivuli brushed aside James Hook's attempted tackle to crash over, with the returning Bai adding he extras.
Wales changed a third of their side on 50 minutes and it paid almost immediate dividends.
They wasted a clear overlap as Lee Byrne was adjudged to have been short as he slid towards the line, but the subsequent 5m scrum eventually produced a try.
After a free-kick, repeated re-sets and two penalties, the referee's patience was exhausted and he awarded a penalty try, Stephen Jones levelling the scores.
Wales dominated from there on but had only a Jones penalty to show for it and they paid the price.
The forwards were attempting to run down the clock with repeated pick and drives in midfield, but were penalised for failing to release.
That set up a final attack for Fiji inside the Welsh 22 - virtually their only visit of the half - and after an offside around the ruck, Bai slotted over a straightforward penalty with the last kick of the match.
Man of the match: George North looked Wales' most threatening attacking force on only his second international appearance, but flanker Dan Lydiate was probably the best player on the pitch. A workaholic attitude that too few of his colleagues matched.
Moment of the match: Seremaia Bai's injury-time penalty that broke Welsh hearts as Fiji shared the spoils in Cardiff.
Villain of the match: Poor Ryan Jones. It was the Wales captain who crept offside which allowed Bai to land the penalty to salvage a draw for the Islanders.
The scorers:
For Wales:
Try: Penalty try
Con: S Jones
Pens: Biggar 2, S Jones
For Fiji:
Try: Vulivuli
Con: Baikeinuku
Pens: Baikeinuku 2, Matavesi
Wales: 15 Lee Byrne, 14 George North, 13 James Hook, 12 Andrew Bishop, 11 Aled Brew, 10 Dan Biggar, 9 Richie Rees,8 Jonathan Thomas, 7 Dan Lydiate, 6 Ryan Jones (c), 5 Deiniol Jones, 4 Ian Gough, 3 Adam Jones, 2 Huw Bennett, 1 Paul James.
Replacements:16 Richard Hibbard, 17 John Yapp, 18 Bradley Davies, 19 Toby Faletau, 20 Mike Phillips, 21 Stephen Jones, 22 Tom Shanklin.
Fiji: 15 Josh Matavesi, 14 Michael Tagicakibau, 13 Albert Vulivuli, 12 Gabriele Lovobalavu, 11 Vereniki Goneva, 10 Seremaia Baï, 9 Nemia Kenatale, 8 Sisa Koyamaibole, 7 Malakai Ravulo, 6 Semisi Saukawa, 5 Jone Qovu, 4 Ifereimi Rawaqa,3 Deacon Manu (c), 2 Viliame Veikoso, 1 Campese Ma'afu.
Replacements: 16 Tuapati Talemaitoga, 17 Graham Dewes, 18 Sekonaia Kalou, 19 Akapusi Qera , 20 Seveci Taka, 21 Ropate Ratu, 22 Taniela Rawaqa.
Referee: Jérôme Garces (France)
Comments
Fred91 says...
Fiji did well and they deserved to win this game....The commentators were like coaches and continue to criticize the Welsh players.
Here we come Italy....get ready.
Posted 20:29 21st November 2010
Prunier says...
Poor result but will be close against New zealand around 10 points but a Ab win. Wales should of asked SA to leave some of their drugs in Cardiff. Well done Fiji!!
Posted 10:53 20th November 2010
dylster says...
@ rugbyfan2010
hahaha you cant even insult me properly! "k*****ing"? um....kucking? knitting? kicking? ouch that hurts.
"The front pack does 95% of the work, keeps it tight, and then with the other 5%, the backs score a dozen tries." - thats not quite true, but i cant say id be that worried if it was...whats your point?
south pacific imports? check your geography...NZ is in the South pacific...its not in Europe. Im not even going to be drawn into the "NZ importing Islanders" debate cos if your reallt were a Rubgy ban you would know how untrue that is.
Your a joke mate. You cant even insult me properly let alone back up your pathetic comments. Can't wait to see your comment on the Wales vs NZ review. Have you got the balls to comment if your wrong? I will happily eat humble pie if Wales beat NZ....do you have the balls? :-)
Posted 09:41 20th November 2010
blackbeast says...
poor little jelouse rugbyfan wishes he was from new zealand. thats what it sounds like to me little fella. you run along now and have an ice cream and watch the master's of rugby show you and the rest of your clan how rugby is ment tobe played.
Posted 09:40 20th November 2010
wassup says...
Did the title of this post just read 'Fiji Beat Wales 16-16'?
Posted 06:55 20th November 2010
mana says...
never overlook the island nations,great display fiji,and beware england for some hard hitting rugby against samoa....
wananavu Viti!
Posted 05:51 20th November 2010
mana says...
2wks it took for fiji to put together a team that showed excellent test match quality rugby,(including loss to France)if it were'nt for visa probs,players like Seru Rabeni would hv had a good run as well..a good bench mark set for the boys in prep for nxt yrs RWC,enough time now to concentrate on getting that scrum sorted...but never the less-great game!boys
Vinaka vakalevu..
Posted 05:25 20th November 2010
Islander says...
As usual for NZ.....winning ways before the World Cup.Once the World Cup comes, they'll be out in the quater finals as usual.
Posted 01:01 20th November 2010
rugbyfan2010 says...
Hey Dylster (BTW what kinda k*****ing name is that ?). definition of boring rugby. The front pack does 95% of the work, keeps it tight, and then with the other 5%, the backs score a dozen tries. That's all blacks rugby-well some of all blacks rugby since a lot of it is south pacific imports. They wouldn't dare play open rugby against any of the 3 pacific sides or even Wales.
Agreeing with all is more boring than all blacks rugby :) All Blacks are good but overrated, though. Gotta take the game to them. A one sided affair doesn't tell much. Bookies, you're getting poor off of me :) Wales over All Blacks.
No mistake about it, Wales got a good physical challenge today. They'll be ready. Hey, some of you lads had Wales winning by 20, I thought it would be close.
Samoa over England !
Posted 00:59 20th November 2010
Islander says...
Imagine if the Fijians were given a month of preparations or at least 3 weeks....phwoaar they would of wreaked havoc on that pitch !! Now lets hope the Samoans will follow suit.Cmon Samoa ! Well done Fiji.I cant be more proud what you've achieved.Italy here comes.Only wish Tonga too was touring.
Posted 00:47 20th November 2010
jonesrp says...
Well done rugbyfan2010...I have now been laughing for 90 minutes non stop.
Posted 00:38 20th November 2010
jekemo says...
Give Fij credit 2 weeks prep is not bad, its not all about wales u no, its not about the all blacks or wallabies either, or africa
Give us some credit, just a little, some feat yeah, so comon our Samoan and Tongan brothers, we can do it, good luck tomorrow
Posted 00:32 20th November 2010
7nezking says...
Thank you planet rugby for the live text commentary. Was full on chearing my Fijian cousins. Looks like Wales will continue to struggle against the south pacific islands teams. They have now gone 5 games without a convincing victory against the Pacific island nations. This result will now certainly put huge doubts on Wales as they now can imagine not only crashing out in the pools next year but also without the automatic qualifications for 2015 ( the Welsh dont need to be reminded of Samoa).
However, all you Wales fan who watched the game, what would you say about this game? Is it more Wales fault or Fiji were really up for it? I understand that your team lineup wasn't really your best. Cheers guys.
About rugbyfan2010.....well I guess you guys have said enough lol
Posted 00:20 20th November 2010
zambokke says...
In the UK - BBC had good commentary from Davies - much better than Moore and that other oke who doesn't understand the rules. In fact neither of them understand the rules and both are blinkered and biased. Well done to Fiji, I wish that the Boks had shown such a defensive commitment. They played with a passion. Shame on Wales though LLD and a L to come. The ABs will murder you. At least you can beat Italy and maybe Scotland before the RWC and with a bit of effort you will remain in the IRB top 10. You guys must be hurting physically now after the Boks and the Fijians? North looked a little bit scared and shaken after the big hit in him. Well done to Lidiate, Hok and Hairy Prop.
Posted 00:18 20th November 2010
wilias says...
Fiji should have won that game they showed a desire to play whilst we just hoped to tire them out and open up the game AGAIN!, the only way to get the best out of our players is to make them think their place is under threat. The "we can beat anyone on our day" talk is getting really boring, until that day comes we have to accept where we are in world rugby, bordering on the bottom 10 and beating teams in the 6 nations now & again & being Englands' whipping boys before every world cup. New Zealand will give us respect but it won't even enter their heads that they'll lose & that's the difference.
Posted 23:35 19th November 2010
dylster says...
@ rugbyfan2010
your name is obviously a pi$$take.
back up your comments with examples. the ABs have arguably the best backline in the world and play fast running rugby, that most northern hempisphere teams struggle to keep up with.
Examples last 3 games:
vs Scotland...7 tries..ALL FROM BACKS
vs England...2 tries, 1 back one forward
vs Aus..........3 tries ALL FROM BACKS
getting the picture?
"cowardly"? - get a life. your obviously just trying to get a reaction...back up your comment with examples. The ABs are No1 in the world for a reason...and theres nothing "cowardly" about it.
.
Posted 23:22 19th November 2010
KiwiLad says...
Rugbyfan2010 What planet are you from and are the people happy there?
Posted 23:12 19th November 2010
sollie says...
Funny how "NZ plays the game dull and 'cowardly' and keep the ball amongst the forwards" when all the tries were sored by the backs against Scotland and one scored and the other one set up by the backs against England!!!
NZ is setting the trend with their open game, and the Northern Hemisphere teams can't keep up.England did OK against an average Australian team, but the key will be to get themselves out of the 'dull' kick and chase game they are renowned for.
All Blacks 56 Wales 12
Posted 23:08 19th November 2010
hayj05 says...
What drugs are you on rugbyfan2010? "The All Blacks like to play it dull and "cowardly" and keep the ball in the fowards." Where do you even get that from? Did you not watch the game? Wales were awful, they played right into Fiji's hands. Oh and Fiji have beaten Australia twice & drawn one but Fiji have never beaten France, England, Ireland, or South Africa. I would never count out the Welsh in Cardiff against the AB's but to suggest that Wales will win it on current form added to the fact that the havn't done so for 50 odd years is quite a laugh.
Posted 22:43 19th November 2010
coonor says...
@rugbyfan2010
I haven't watched th game yet and I can see what you mean by saying Fiji played well but if Wales wanted to be taken seriously then they have to beat teams like Fiji.
Posted 22:20 19th November 2010