Wales vs Fiji LIVE rugby: Caleb Muntz inspires visitors into historic win in Cardiff
Wales 19-24 Fiji: The visitors came from behind to win for first time at Principality Stadium
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Your support makes all the difference.Wales suffered their 10th defeat in a row in a historic result as Fiji came from behind to win for the first time in Cardiff.
Warren Gatland’s team started the game strongly with their driving maul particularly useful in the opening stages as Fiji looked too weak to hold them. Blair Murray went over for the first try and Dewi Lake, from another maul, picked up a penalty try to send the hosts 14-3 in front with a Caleb Muntz penalty the only score for Fiji.
As yellow cards, and a red for Semi Radradra, halted the momentum in the first half Muntz decided to turn up the heat. He darted through a gap in the Wales defence to score and send the Fijians into the break just four points behind. After the restart the fly-half kick two penalties to put Fiji ahead before the powerful Josua Tuisova increased the lead.
Ellis Bevan came off the bench to score his first try at the Principality Stadium but another penalty kic kform Muntz put Fiji too far ahead with time running out. Wales couldn’t get in during a thrilling closing minute and Fiji claimed a famous win.
Relive the action from the Principality Stadium in our live blog below:
Wales 14-3 Fiji
22 mins: Crunch!
Semi Radradra is punished for a tackle on Cam Winnett. He throws himself into the challenge and clatters the Welshman with a shoulder to the chin.
It’s a high tackle and a second yellow card comes out for the high tackle. This one will be reviewed and may get upgraded to a red. That would kill off Fiji’s resistance you’d feel.
Wales 14-3 Fiji
21 mins: Both teams are down to 14 now with Fiji surrendering their one-man advantage. The visitors are struggling to get a foothold in the game.
This is solid work from the Welsh.
PENALTY TRY! Wales 14-3 Fiji (Dewi Lake, 19 mins)
Try?! From a lineout Wales kick into a driving maul. Demi Lake has the ball and is being protected as Wales drive to the line. Elia Canakaivata looks to have held Lake up as he gets over the line but the referee isn’t happy.
He talks to the video ref and sees that Canakaivata illegally held up the ball from an offside position. He goes to the sin bin and Wales are awarded a penalty try!
Wales 7-3 Fiji
18 mins
How will Wales handle this now? They are a man down for another seve minutes or so. The hosts are controlling possession well and are taking their time inside the Fiji area.
Mason Grady was been replaced with Sam Costelow.
NO TRY! Wales 7-3 Fiji
16 mins
Tommy Reffell is shown a yellow card for a heavy clearing tackle. He led with his shoulder and found the head of his opponent meaning the incident is a sin bin offence.
Wales are down to 14 for the time being but more importantly the try is ruled out.
TRY! Wales 12-3 Fiji (Cam Winnett, 15 mins)
14 mins: Gareth Anscombe kicks the ball deep into the Fiji 22 and hosts decided against a driving maul this time. They move the ball quickly down the line with Thomas diving for a try.
He gets held up but Wales aren’t done.
Cam Winnett makes a run from deep and arrives right on que to receive the pass. He darts between the nearest two defenders and sweeps in for a try.
The referees are just looking at an incident in the build-up to that move...
Penalty! Wales 7-3 Fiji (Caleb Muntz, 11 mins)
Fiji get their first points on the board after another Welsh error gives up a penalty inside their own half. Fly-half Caleb Muntz fancies his chances from range and goes for the kick which sails in between the sticks.
Three points for the visitors.
TRY! Wales 7-0 Fiji (Blair Murray, 8 mins)
Pressure, what pressure?!
Wales fling the ball back into play from a lineout and sweep it quickly over to the left side of the pitch. Ben Thomas makes a fine one-handed catch to whips the ball out to the wing where Murray drives over the line.
The conversion is kicked and Wales move into the lead.
Wales 0-0 Fiji
7 mins
Semi Radradra looks for an offload and the ball is nicked back by the Welsh who boot it out of their own half. Fiji are being fuelled by excitement and send the ball to Radradra again.
He powers through the defence and lays the ball off before Wales give up another penalty. They’re under pressure here.
Wales 0-0 Fiji
4 mins
Fiji put tackle after tackle in as Wales lunge repeated attacks at the line. They’re making slow progress and inch by inch get closer to the first try.
They can’t get over as Fiji force a turnover and boot it long. Jiuta Wainiqolo chases after it and Fiji win a penalty of their own.
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