Fiji v Wales - Teams and Prediction

ROUND ONE PREVIEW: Louis Rees-Zammit is back on the wing for Wales’s Nations Championship opener against Fiji in Cardiff on Saturday.

Rees-Zammit started all five Six Nations games at fullback this season after playing out wide in the November Tests following his return from an 18-month spell in the NFL.

But the 25-year-old Bristol speedster – who did not add to his tally of 16 Wales tries when at fullback – ended the domestic season on the wing after telling Bears coach Pat Lam it was his preferred position.

With their England and France-based players available, Wales make six changes after beating the Barbarians 33-31 in an uncapped fixture at Twickenham last weekend.

Rees-Zammit is joined in the backs by fellow wing Josh Adams and scrumhalf Tomos Williams, while flanker Alex Mann, lock Adam Beard and prop Rhys Carre are in the pack.

The game is being played at Cardiff City football club’s ground after Fiji moved their ‘home’ fixtures in the inaugural Nations Championship for financial reasons.

The preview continues below…

“It’s been awesome to get back into camp and get ready for games,” said Wales coach Steve Tandy after naming his side on Thursday.

Wales endured another woeful Six Nations, finishing bottom of the table, although they did end a three-year losing streak in the tournament, spanning 15 matches, with a 31-17 defeat of Italy in Cardiff on March 14 in the final round of matches.

“We want to keep building on the Six Nations and from last weekend as well,” Tandy said.

“We’ve created a lot of momentum and we’re looking to hit the ground running on Saturday.

“We love to be in Wales playing games and we’re excited to be in Cardiff to start the Nations Championship.”

The build-up to the Fiji game has seen the Wales squad in dispute with the Welsh Rugby Union over match fees.

But the WRU said on Wednesday the issue had been resolved.

This is another Nations Championship fixture rich with Rugby World Cup history, Fiji causing one of the tournament’s great upsets at RWC 2007 with a sensational 38-34 pool victory.

Fiji and Wales have met in the pool stages of each of the four following Rugby World Cups, Wales prevailing on each occasion, although their last meeting in Bordeaux at RWC 2023 went down to the wire before the Welsh edged home 32-26.

They could face each other again at Australia 2027 in the Round of 16 if both countries finish runners-up in their respective pools.

Fiji, playing their first three Nations Championship matches in the UK, will be looking to unleash the likes of rangy Bordeaux back-three flyer Salesi Rayasi and dynamic back row Pita Gus Sowakula.

Key stat: Fiji are the only Nations Championship side to have scored a try from over half of their line-breaks (52.5%) since the start of 2025, while Wales have conceded the most line-breaks per game (8.2) of any team in that time.

Players to watch:

For Fiji: There’s speed and power everywhere you look. One of the most dangerous players on the park is Bordeaux star Salesi Rayasi. He wears the No.15 jersey, and with his ability to tear opposition defences to pieces, Wales will be on high alert. There’s more star power in the midfield in the form of Semi Radradra. If he gets momentum behind him then it will be a long afternoon for Wales’ midfield defence. In the pack, Pita-Gus Sowakula is a dynamic loose forward who can disrupt the breakdowns and take a few defenders with him to free up the backline.

For Wales: Louis Rees-Zammit returns to the position where he made a name for himself and he will have to be on top of his game in the wide channels with Jiuta Wainiqolo in front of him. Wales will not want this game to get too loose and this is where flyhalf Dan Edwards comes in. The Welsh will need him to be a general out there and dictate play with his boot when the pressure gets too much. In the pack, Jac Morgan has impressed with his workrate during the United Rugby Championship and he will be one of the keys to winning the loose forward battle.

Prediction

Rugby365: Wales by three points

Teams:

Fiji: 15 Salesi Rayasi, 14 Selestino Ravutaumada, 13 Semi Radradra, 12 Josua Tuisova, 11 Jiuta Wainiqolo, 10 Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula, 9 Frank Lomani, 8 Elia Canakaivata, 7 Kitione Salawa, 6 Pita-Gus Sowakula, 5 Temo Mayanavanua, 4 Isoa Nasilasila, 3 Tim Hoyt, 2 Tevita Ikanivere, 1 Eroni Mawi.
Replacements: 16 Zuriel Togiatama, 17 Livai Natave, 18 Peni Ravai, 19 Mesake Vocevoce, 20 Peceli Yato, 21 Simione Kuruvoli, 22 Vilimoni Botitu, 23 Kalaveti Ravouvou.

Wales: 15 Blair Murray, 14 Louis Rees-Zammit, 13 Eddie James, 12 Joe Hawkins, 11 Josh Adams, 10 Dan Edwards, 9 Tomos Williams, 8 Aaron Wainwright, 7 Jac Morgan, 6 Alex Mann, 5 Adam Beard, 4 Ben Carter, 3 Dillon Lewis, 2 Dewi Lake (captain), 1 Rhys Carre.
Replacements: 16 Ryan Elias, 17 Nicky Smith, 18 Ben Warren, 19 Taine Plumtree, 20 James Botham, 21 Kieran Hardy, 22 Sam Costelow, 23 Ellis Mee.

Date: Saturday, July 4
Venue: Cardiff City Stadium, Cardiff
Kick-off: 14.10 BST (13.10 GMT; 01.10 FJT Sunday, July 5)
Expected weather: It will be cloudy with a steady breeze, with a temperature around 21°C
Referee: Eoghan Cross (Ireland)
Assistant referees: Matthew Carley (England), Hollie Davidson (Scotland)
TMO: Leo Colgan (Ireland)

AFP & Rugby365