Wales v Fiji: Winners and losers as ‘pressure mounts’ on Warren Gatland after ‘sorry’ record as ‘different beast’ stars in famous victory

A famous Fiji victory as they ran out 24-19 victors at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff and following their Autumn Nations Series success we select our winners and losers.

It was a stunning performance by the Fijians who were the better side on the day and handed Wales their 10th straight defeat as Warren Gatland’s men remain winless in Test rugby in 2024.

Following Fiji’s famous victory over Wales, here are our winners and losers.

Winners

Blair Murray

Seven minutes. That’s how long it took rookie back Blair Murray to cross for his first try in international rugby. It’s was a glorious moment for the 23-year-old New Zealand-born star who has played just six times for the Scarlets in the URC before earning his debut.

It’s no easy task defending the brilliant Fijian backs but Murray rose to the challenge and managed to cause the visitors all kinds of issues with the ball in hand.

It hasn’t been a great year for Wales by any stretch of the imagination but Murray was a shining light today and a player who has a bright future in the red jersey.

Tommy Reffell

It was not a stunning showing from Tommy Reffell but it was a strong one after he avoided a red card after he collided with Semi Radradra’s head.

The 25-year-old popped up with a pilfer and made a tidy 10 tackles and four carries in a performance that could see him retain the starting role against Australia next week that is if he doesn’t get cited before then.

Reffell was very, very fortunate not to be given his marching orders.

Caleb Muntz

Last week, Caleb Muntz was comfortably outplayed by his opposing number ten – Adam Hastings – but today was a perfect example of what a good platform can make.

Muntz looked a different beast with the Fijians boosted by the European-based stars and boy did he make the most of it. His solo try was simply outrageous while he was tactically excellent as well. On several occasions, his teammates looked to overplay their hand but the fly-half maintained his cool and controlled proceedings through his boot and nous.

Fiji sorely missed the 25-year-old at the World Cup last year and today he issued a stark reminder of that and steered his side to victory over the team they narrowly fell to in France.

Josua Tuisova

A beast. What a player. Fiji were boosted by the return of their superstars this week to steer them to victory and Josua Tuisova was one of the most important returnees. He was brutally effective on both sides of the ball and was one of the front runners for the man of the match award.

He gained over 40 metres, made 11 tackles, won a turnover and was simply world-class.

Fiji

Obviously. The Pacific Islanders were simply superb and fully deserving of their historic first victory over Wales in Cardiff. There was a threat of a major fall-off following the departure of head coach Simon Raiwalui but no, the Fijians continue to notch up new firsts after defeating England at Twickenham last year.

Fiji were hammered 57-17 last week against Scotland without their European-based stars but today they showed their true quality.

It was rather telling that while the Fijians played with their trademark flair and physicality, they were outscored by Wales three tries to two. It was the boot of Muntz that ultimately got them over the line as the team show real growth in their game as they look to become a serious force in the international game.

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Losers

Warren Gatland

Ten defeats on the trot now and the pressure is truly mounting on Wales head coach Warren Gatland as the question remains, can he turn the ship around?

Today was far from Wales’ worst performance in that run of defeats but it is becoming more and more difficult to see the light at the end of the tunnel for the men in red.

It doesn’t get much easier from Wales from here on out with Australia and South Africa up next before they open their Six Nations account against France next year.

Losing is just as much of a habit as winning is and right now, Wales cannot kick their ugly habit and the question persists on whether Gatland is still able to galvanise the team has he did in his first tenure.

Mason Grady

Gatland took a gamble by opting for a 6-2 split on the bench against the Fijians and it backfired when powerhouse back was forced off the pitch after just 18 minutes.

Mason Grady has shone for Wales during this torrid run of results and it was a real shame to see him leave the pitch so early and it was a hammer blow as the backline struggled to come to terms with his departure.

He added some much-needed grunt and physicality to backlin.

Semi Radradra

The Fijian superstar will be holding his breath as he awaits his disciplinary hearing as his November could well be over already after he clattered into Cameron Winnett.

Some might argue whether there was some mitigation to warrant a yellow card instead of a red and Semi Radradra might just have a case if he is lucky.

But frankly, it was a silly challenge from the brilliant winger who had a clear run up to the Welsh outside back and he had time to adjust too but instead, he recklessly hammered into the Welshman making shoulder-to-head contact and his arm was tucked.

🟥 Semi Radradra sent off!

The Fijian becomes the first player to be red-carded in the #AutumnNationsSeries but Fiji will go back to 15 players after 20 minutes. #WALvFIJIpic.twitter.com/47zduyDad9

— Planet Rugby (@PlanetRugby) November 10, 2024

Fiji were able to replace the 32-year-old under the new 20-minute red card laws but they would have much rather had the sensational Lyon star back on the pitch as he was enjoying a fine outing before his sending-off.

Wales

Ten defeats in a row. A sorry stat as Wales equalled their worst-ever run of results and although they fought to the death, it was not to be as Fiji notched up their first win over the men in red in Cardiff.

Things don’t get easier from here with the Wallabies and Springboks up next, two teams that they have lost to this year already.

There have been some excellent individual performances littered throughout those ten defeats but today they certainly had a chance but ultimately they did not have enough to avoid another loss.

The state of the Welsh Rugby Union is not helping matters either.

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