Fiji heaps more pressure on Gatland

MATCH REPORT: Fiji beat Wales 24-19 in their year-end Test in Cardiff on Sunday, heaping more pressure on coach Warren Gatland.

Caleb Muntz scored 19 points as hard-hitting Fiji extended Wales’ losing streak to a record-equalling 10 matches with a historic victory.

The Fijian Drua flyhalf was outstanding throughout as Fiji overcame the 20th-minute red carding of Semi Radradra, replaced after 20 minutes under World Rugby law trials.

It was Fiji’s first victory in Cardiff and perfectly avenged last week’s record 17-57 loss to Scotland – their heaviest loss in Europe since 2016 – played outside the international window.

Wales have not won a Test match since the 2023 World Cup pool triumph against Georgia more than a year ago.

Their 10th straight loss matches their losing sequence under Steve Hansen between 2002-03.

Wales made a dream start through Blair Murray, making his debut on the left wing.

The former New Zealand schoolboys representative, whose mother is Welsh, crossed for the opening try in the eighth minute after a deft Ben Thomas assist.

Anscombe converted before Muntz booted a penalty to get Fiji on the board.

Cameron Winnett thought he’d crossed for Wales’ second try after taking a sharp pass from Tomos Williams on a cutback.

But French referee Luc Ramos disallowed the score and instead yellow-carded Wales flank Tommy Reffell for a dangerous neck roll.

Fiji failed to capitalise and No.8 Elia Canakaivata was then sin binned for bringing down Archie Griffin on the line, leaving Ramos with no choice but to award a penalty try.

Three minutes later, Radradra also saw yellow for making contact with Winnett’s head in a reckless tackle.

That turned red as it was ruled there was no mitigation.

Despite their numerical disadvantage, Fiji responded best, Muntz scything through the line and riding tackles from Winnett and Murray for a fine individual try he also converted.

Fiji thought they’d taken the lead with a penalty try, but referee Ramos backtracked after a Fijian player was shown to be obstructing, leaving it 14-10 at half-time.

Sireli Maqala came on to replace Radradra early in the second half, Muntz immediately adding a penalty to cut the home side’s lead.

Muntz raced into Welsh territory and when Nicky Smith strayed offside, the Fijian fly-half kicked his third penalty to take his team into the lead with 30 minutes to play.

The South Sea islanders extended that when Josua Tuisova muscled his way past Ben Thomas for a try, Muntz pushing the conversion wide.

Wales replied through Ellis Bevan, the replacement crossing with his first touch, Sam Costelow missing the extras to leave it a nail-biting 21-19 to Fiji.

With 10 minutes to play Muntz spurned a kick at goal to go deep and for the line-out, but a knock-on at a subsequent ruck let the Welsh off the hook.

But the momentum remained with Fiji. When Maqala pounced on a ball that squirmed out of a ruck, his team were again on the front foot.

There was another Fiji try disallowed for a Muntz forward pass, the fly-half instead handed a chance to go for the posts and he made it 24-19.

Wales now faces Australia and world champions South Africa, while Fiji go on to play Ireland in Dublin.

The scorers

For Wales
Tries: Murray, Penalty try, Bevan
Cons: Anscombe, a penalty try does not require a conversion

For Fiji
Tries: Muntz, Tuisova
Con: Muntz
Pens: Muntz 4

Red card: Semi Radradra (Fiji, 20 – foul play, high tackle)
Yellow cards: Tommy Reffell (Wales, 13 – foul play, neck roll), Elia Canakaivata (Fiji, 18 – cynical foul, maul infringement)

Teams:

Wales: 15 Cameron Winnett, 14 Mason Grady, 13 Max Llewellyn, 12 Ben Thomas, 11 Blair Murray, 10 Gareth Anscombe, 9 Tomos Williams, 8 Aaron Wainwright, 7 Tommy Reffell, 6 Taine Plumtree, 5 Adam Beard, 4 Will Rowlands, 3 Archie Griffin, 2 Dewi Lake (captain), 1 Gareth Thomas.
Replacements: 16 Ryan Elias, 17 Nicky Smith, 18 Keiron Assiratti, 19 Christ Tshiunza, 20 James Botham, 21 Jac Morgan, 22 Ellis Bevan, 23 Sam Costelow.

Fiji: 15 Vuate Karawalevu, 14 Jiuta Wainiqolo, 13 Waisea Nayacalevu, 12 Josua Tuisova, 11 Semi Radradra; 10 Caleb Muntz, 9 Frank Lomani; 8 Elia Canakaivata, 7 Kitione Salawa, 6 Ratu Meli Derenalagi, 5 Temo Mayanavaua, 4 Isoa Nasilasila, 3 Samuela Tawake, 2 Tevita Ikanivere, 1 Eroni Mawi.
Replacements: 16 Sam Matavesi, 17 Haereiti Hetet, 18 Jone Koroiduadua, 19 Mesake Vocevoce, 20 Albert Tuisua, 21 Simi Kuruvoli, 22 Isaiah Ravula, 23 Sireli Maqala

Referee: Luc Ramos (France)
Assistant referees: Pierre Brousset (France), Hollie Davidson (Scotland)
TMO: Eric Gauzins (France)