Wales v Fiji - teams and prediction

PREVIEW: Wales and Fiji will face off this Sunday at the Millennium Stadium in the Nations Series.

The game marks 60 years since the Fijians first toured Wales in 1964. The visitors’ flair and physicality left a memorable impression on Welsh fans on their initial visit, and they are set to provide a similarly exciting challenge in Cardiff this weekend.

The Fijian side that will take to the field on Sunday, November 10 is highly likely to look different to the side that suffered a heavy defeat to Scotland in the opening round of the Nations Series.

Eroni Mawi, Semi Radradra, and nine other key players are all available for selection now that the fixture falls inside the international window.

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Historically, Wales hold the upper hand, winning all but one of their eight encounters with Fiji on Welsh soil.

However, Fiji’s lone World Cup win against Wales in 2007 ended former Wales head coach Gareth Jenkins’ career.

A Wales loss on the weekend would see them equal their longest losing run in Test history, when they lost 10 consecutive Test matches between 2002-2003.

Fiji had a near-win in last year’s thrilling World Cup clash, where Wales narrowly escaped with a 32-26 victory – something that serves as a reminder, if one were needed, of their unpredictability. During that game, Wales made 253 tackles and in the process set a record for the most tackle any side has ever made in a men’s World Cup match.

Fiji, now Pacific Nations Cup champions, have evolved under head coach Mick Byrne, a former AFL player, who has added structure to their traditionally off-the-cuff playing style.

While Fiji remain famous for their powerful offloads and breakaway tries, they have improved at other aspects of game management too, allowing them to compete at a high level for the full 80 minutes.

Fiji were also the only team to register dominant contact from at least half of their carries in the 2024 Pacific Nations Cup (54 percent). Meanwhile, Wales registered just 21 percent dominant contact during the 2024 Six Nations, the second lowest rate of any side.

💥 𝘽𝙧𝙤𝙣 𝘼𝙢𝙨𝙚𝙧 ⏳️💪

Week two of camp complete ✅️ Next up…⤵️

🆚️ Fiji 🇫🇯
🗓️ 10.11.24
⏰ 1:40pm
🏟️ Principality Stadium
🎟️ https://t.co/F6wtoSxATf#AutumnNationsSeries pic.twitter.com/rGeA3TH19Z

— Welsh Rugby Union 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 (@WelshRugbyUnion) November 8, 2024

Wales are hungry for a win to reverse a disappointing stretch. This opener is crucial for Warren Gatland’s team, which has slipped to 11th in the world rankings, their lowest position in years.

Wales defence coach Mike Forshaw spoke to the BBC last week and highlighted the importance of getting off to a good start: “People saying that Wales had to take some pain with bringing in young players, well that’s over now.

“There are no excuses, and we have to start winning rugby matches. That’s not just me as a coach saying that: the players are adamant that’s got to be the case as well.

“There’s a bit of pressure on us to win and the players have got to feel that also.

“We are in the business of winning matches and we have to do that on Sunday in Cardiff against Fiji.”

Players to watch: 

For Wales: The 23-year-old Blair Murray, who is from New Zealand, is set to make his Test debut for Wales. He qualified for Wales through his mother and wasted little time in impressing selectors after joining Scarlets from Canterbury this year. The only uncapped player in the game day squad, Murray will line up on the left wing opposite #14 Mason Grady, with fullback Cameron Winnett completing the trio. Ben Thomas is named at inside centre, with Max Llewellyn on the outside. An all-Gloucester halfback partnership has been chosen to combat the Fijians, with the in-form Tomos Williams at scrumhalf and Gareth Anscombe making his long-await Test return at ten. Gareth Thomas, captain Dewi Lake and Archie Griffin make up the front row, with the returning Will Rowlands providing a much-needed reinforcement in the second row alongside Adam Beard. Aaron Wainwright made a timely comeback for his region following hamstring surgery, and takes his place at number eight, with Taine Plumtree at blindside and Tommy Reffell at openside.

For Fiji: In a powerful midfield, Racing 92’s Josua Tuisova and Sale Sharks’ Waisea Nayacalevu (captaining the team) are selected. The Waratahs’ Vuate Karawalevu is at fullback. Superstar Semi Radradra (Lyon) is on the left wing, with Toulon’s Jiuta Wainiqolo on the right. In the forwards, Saracens’ Eroni Mawi comes in at loosehead; likewise Northampton Saints’ Temo Mayanavanua in the second row. Fiji are seeking their first win against Wales since 2007, on what will be the 60th anniversary of their first tour to Wales.

Prediction

@rugby365com: Wales by five points

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

Date: Sunday, November 10
Venue: Millennium Stadium, Cardiff
Kick-off: 13.40 (13.40 GMT; 01.40 Fiji time, Monday, November 11)
Referee: Luc Ramos (France)
Assistant referees: Pierre Brousset (France), Hollie Davidson (Scotland)
TMO: Eric Gauzins (France)

Additional source: Nations Series