Wales 19-24 Fiji: Pacific Islanders claim historic first Cardff win in Autumn Nations Series battle

Wales slumped to a tenth straight defeat as Fiji produced a 24-19 comeback victory at the Principality Stadium.

In a high-octane affair in Cardiff, which included penalty tries, sin bins, red cards, and disallowed scores, Warren Gatland’s side succumbed to a record-equalling loss that matches their winless streak from 2002 and 2003.

The hosts were ahead on eight minutes in a dream start, as Blair Murray touched down on his debut to get the scoring underway.

Cameron Winnett came from nowhere to score what he thought was a second, but the TMO chalked it off as Tommy Reffell’s clear-out was deemed illegal, so much so that the flanker was sent to the sin-bin.

Elia Canakaivata was then adjudged to have collapsed a driving maul intentionally, earning Wales a penalty try and himself a yellow card. And things went from bad to worse for the visitors as their star winger, Semi Radradra, was sin-binned and subsequently sent off for a dangerous challenge on Winnett, which was upgraded to a red card.

Caleb Muntz broke away for a try on 25 minutes, demonstrating a superb burst of pace to bring the visitors within four just a minute before Radradra’s sin-bin was turned to a red. And, with six minutes to play of the first half, the Fijians had a penalty try of their own disallowed after a collapsing of the maul was overruled by an obstruction. At that point, Gatland’s side looked to be in good shape to end their losing run.

The second half was equally packed with drama. Fiji were back to a full complement as Top 14 top scorer Sireli Maqala came off the bench to replace the dismissed Radradra.

Josua Tuisova extended the lead as he powered over on the hour, but Ellis Bevan made an instant impact off the bench to set up a grand-stand finish, diving over to keep the hosts competitive.

Fiji full-back Vuate Karawalevu saw his score chalked off for a forward pass by Muntz, who earned his reprieve immediately after knocking over a final three points to seal a famous victory in Cardiff.

Warren Gatland said before his side’s first Autumn International that he saw something in his youthful squad that left him unconcerned about a record-equalling tenth defeat.

However, careless mistakes and defensive frailties when it mattered cost Wales against a star-studded tourist side, who were refreshed from their drubbing by Scotland with their European-based players.

Fiji, ranked 10th in the world, avenged their narrow 32-26 World Cup defeat in style, with Muntz showing his class at stand-off, Tuisova demonstrating his star quality at 12, and Tevita Ikanivere leading from the front of the pack.

That was all done without their maverick wide man Radradra, dismissed for a dangerous challenge. But he was hardly missed, instead replaced by Maqala, whose experience and pace stretched the Welsh defence and allowed the Fijians to continue their forward momentum.

The fly-half sewed everything together for the visitors, single-handedly dragging them back into contention in the first half, and backing up his expert handling with accurate kicking off the tee.

He held his nerve when it mattered, and had the quality to make amends for his forward pass late on, knocking over a crucial last three points to register a famous win for Mick Byrne’s team.

Wales: Winnett 7, Grady 5, Llewellyn 6, B Thomas 6, Murray 7, Anscombe 7, T Williams 6, G Thomas 6, Lake 6, Griffin 6, Rowlands 6, Beard 6, Plumtree 6, Reffell 5, Wainwright 6. Replacements: Elias 6, Smith 6, Assiratti 6, Tshizuna 6, Botham 6, Morgan 6, Bevan 7, Costelow 6, =

Fiji: Karawalevu 7, Wainqolo 6, Nayacalevu 6, Tuisova 8, Radradra 6, Muntz 9, Lomani 7, Mawi 7, Ikanivere 7, Nasilasila 6, Mayanavanua 6, Derenalagi 6, Salawa 6, Canakaivata 6. Replacements: Matavesi 6, Hetet 6, Koroiduadua 6, Vocevoce 6, Tuisue 6, Kuruvoli 6, Ravula 6, Maqala 6.

5′: TRY! WALES 5-0 FIJI (MURRAY) What a try that is, and it’s the debutant, Blair Murray, who’s got it! A fabulous move down the backline from the home side. Llewellyn and Thomas show superbly soft hands to release Murray, who bombs down the flank to dot down in the corner!

20′: PENALTY TRY! WALES 14-3 FIJI The try is awarded, and Elia Canakaivata is sent to the bin for a deliberate collapsing of the maul, straight onto Dewi Lake, the ball-carrier, rather than clearing out Griffin.

25′: TRY! WALES 14-10 FIJI (MUNTZ) What a break from Muntz! The stand-off produces an excellent step inside and an outstanding turn of pace to burn away from the Welsh defence, keeping a strong left arm to slide over the whitewash and bring the visitors within four, as he adds the extras himself.

26′: RED CARD, FIJI (RADRADRA) However, that’s where the good news ends for the visitors! Radradra’s sin bin has been upgraded to a red for that dangerous challenge on Winnett earlier! They will be able to replace him in the second half, however, as Tommy Reffell takes back to the field.

60′: TRY! WALES 14-23 FIJI (TUISOVA) Fiji extend their lead, and it’s Josua Tuisova who’s got it! Quick ball skills from Fiji either side, as Nayacalevu breaks down the left side and almost reaches the line, but he’s denied in the first phase. Tuisova picks up the pieces, however, and he speeds through Llewellyn, holding off the challenge, to slide over the line! Muntz misses the extras.

67′: TRY! WALES 19-21 FIJI (BEVAN) What an impact, Ellis Bevan! That could well be his first touch of the ball, and it stems from Jac Morgan’s carry, before the backline transfer it nicely to the substitute stand-off, who bursts into the empty space and over the line! Costelow misses the conversion, and the Welsh remain two shy.

The victory is Fiji’s first ever on Welsh soil.