Fiji player ratings v Wales: Offloading approach causes ‘major damage’ but forwards have no answer to ‘killer tactic’
Pita-Gus Sowakula celebrates his try for Fiji and, inset, the injured Semi Radradra
Following their 39-24 loss to Wales in the Nations Championship, here is how we rated Senirusi Seruvakula’s Fiji players in Cardiff.
Fiji player ratings
15 Salesi Rayasi: A lovely watch. We have come to know how clinical a player he is over the past season with Bordeaux, but he had no drawbacks in showcasing that ability in the Test arena, causing the Welsh multiple headaches with his running lines and offloading ability. We especially enjoyed one pass through his legs and also a gallop out of defence. 7
14 Selestino Ravutaumada: He eventually scored his try on 54 minutes, pouncing out wide from an overlap, but he should have been celebrating 36 minutes earlier as he had the line at his mercy before separation from the ball in his dive ruined his chance. He then dropped the clanger when trying to see a second-half Wales kick roll dead only to agonisingly have Josh Adams put a hand through his legs and score. 5
13 Semi Radradra: Looked the saddest man in Cardiff when driven away on a medical cart after his 28th-minute ankle injury sustained when he took a penalised extra roll when running the ball from inside his 22 and hitting the deck. Hands left him down near the touchline 12 minutes earlier but made his presence felt when rattling Dan Edwards after that. 5
12 Josua Tuisova: It was his carry that inflicted major damage for the opening Fijian score, and this promising start was followed by a 13th minute penalty-winning jackal and then a collision that sent Jac Morgan hurting to the floor. Had some other good moments after but not enough to transform his team into a winning side. 7
11 Jiuta Wainiqolo: Started with a bang, taking on the Welsh with two excellent early carries which set the tone for their initial pressure. Whenever he got the ball, he had no hesitation stepping his way through the traffic or offloading in the contact. Fiji offloaded 32 times to Wales’ two, but this threat level ultimately didn’t cause enough damage. 7
Fiji v Wales: Result, match details, stats, line-ups
10 Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula: Wasn’t shy in taking on carrying duties; he also showed some useful passing to get his backline moving. Added nine points off the kicking tee but ultimately didn’t have the plan to turn a solid foundation into a celebratory one. 6
9 Frank Lomani: It was curious that he was called ashore having just helped his team get back into the contest with a score after a damaging two-try concession at the start of the second half. Fiji didn’t score after his 56th-minute exit, suggesting his level of service was missed. 7
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The forwards
8 Elia Canakaivata: Scored the maul try that got Fiji over their early second-half hump, but the momentum surge his well-finished riposte caused couldn’t reel the Welsh in. 7
7 Kitione Salawa: Equitably shared the back row ball-carrying responsibility with Canakaivata, a carve-up that helped to keep Wales guessing and his team maintain hope until Ryan Elias’ try 13 minutes from time. 7
6 Pita Gus Sowakula: Just 144 seconds was all he needed in the Cardiff sun to gleefully grasp Lomani’s offload, and he was grounding over the try line and sending a kiss to the air just seconds later. Hung around for 59 minutes and was a great nuisance. 6
5 Temo Mayanavanu: The Fijian forward who has most involvement on both sides of the ball, but he needs to lead a sit-down with his pack to rethink its maul defence. Conceding three tries to the same tactic was a killer. 6
4 Isoa Nasilasila: Showed that he likes to carry, rather than being a ball-shy lock, but he was eventually ground down. 5
3 Tim Hoyt: Another whose afternoon in the Welsh sun ended prematurely in the first half on the medical cart. Had knocked on at the try line in the 19th minute, 16 minutes before his leg was injured. 5
2 Tevita Ikanivere (c): The skipper played his part for 71 minutes before giving way with his team down by eight points and in need of energy. 7
1 Eroni Mawi: It was his penalty tap that sparked the move which ended with Hoyt knocking on at the line. Hit by a couple of first-half scrum penalties, he was whisked off 16 minutes into the second half. 5
Replacements: Kalaveti Ravouvou provided the assist for the Ravutaumada, which augured well for the contribution of the bench, but it ultimately only caused frustration as sub loosehead Livai Natave knocked on nine minutes from time with Fiji threatening to nab their bonus-point try. 5