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 0-0 Fiji
2 mins: A driving maul from a Welsh lineout sees the hosts push their way up the pitch as Fiji throw men forward to stop the attack. The visitors give away a penalty which gets punted into touch and the Welsh get themselves inside the 22.
Another fine lineout results in a driving maul before Wales quickly move the ball out to the left and try to find a way through.
Kick off! Wales 0-0 Fiji
Here we go, Wales kick off the start if this Autum International. Let’s find see how it all plays out...
Wales v Fiji
Following a minute’s silence, the national anthems of both countries are played and kick off edges ever closer.
Anscombe returns
Fly-half Gareth Anscombe returns to the Wales squad after last appearing in the historic 40-6 World Cup win against Australia in September 2023.
“I always had in the back of my mind that I could come back for Wales,” said Anscombe. “You can give up and move on and retire, or fight to get back, and I’ve always chosen the latter,” he said.
“When you’ve been out for as long as I have and had so many setbacks, you figure out what drives you. So even during those times I’ve been out, I’ve always felt like I could, if I got myself back to fitness, add something at this level.”
A dominant fixture for Wales
Wales have very good memories of playing Fiji. They’ve won 12 of the last 14 fixtures between the sides including each of the last six meetings.
Can Warren Gatland’s men triumph today?
Wales v Fiji
Here come the players.
Wales and Fiji head out onto the pitch at the Principality Stadium and begin to observe the commemorations for Remembrance Sunday.
Wales vs Fiji match officials
Referee: Luc Ramos (Fra)
Assistant Referee 1: Pierre Brousset (Fra)
Assistant Referee 2: Hollie Davidson (Sco)
TMO: Eric Gauzins (Fra)
FPRO: Brett Cronan (Aus)
Fiji coach Mick Byrne explains his selection
“This is the strongest side we could have picked at the moment,” Byrne said. “We’ve got a good block of experience that has come in, especially in the back line.
“I think the squad highlights a good mix for us. We have got some good carry, and if we need to get across the gain-line nice and early we have got some strength there.
“We’ve got some great deception and running lines outside. It’s a good mix for us, to be able to have a good strong ball carrier at 12 and then a good distributor and line runner at 13. It gives us great flexibility in attack.
“I think when you get 11 new players come in, it almost feels fresh again. What we focus now on is Wales and that creates a whole new energy. It is a beautiful stadium, and it’s great for players to experience that.”
Fiji backs look to thrive once more
Fiji have named the same 11-14 today as lined up in their World Cup win over Australia last year, all sorts of attacking potential and potency contained within that group. In doing so, they have omitted two of their most in-form backs: Sireli Maqala and Vilimoni Botitu are both going really nicely in the Top 14 for Bayonne and Castres respectively. There is no doubting the experience of Semi Radradra, Josua Tuisova and Waisea Nayacalevu, though, and their familiarity with one another should help in combatting a lack of preparation time together, a perennial problem for the Pacific Islanders.
After a breakthrough World Cup campaign last year, we explored what the future may hold for the nation:
What’s next for Fiji after a Rugby World Cup to remember
Simon Raiwalui’s side were close to a first World Cup semi-final and there is encouraging progress off the field, too
We know importance of next few weeks, says Warren Gatland as Wales bid to find form
Warren Gatland says his players are “are well aware of how important the next few weeks are” as Wales embark on their Autumn Nations Series campaign.
Wales kick off the autumn schedule against Fiji, which is followed by Principality Stadium appointments with Australia and world champions South Africa.
Gatland has overseen nine successive Test match defeats and Wales have only lost 10 in a row once before, which came during the 2002-03 season when his fellow New Zealander Steve Hansen was at the helm.
We know importance of next few weeks, says Gatland as Wales bid to find form
Wales kick off the autumn schedule against Fiji on Sunday, followed by fixtures with Australia and world champions South Africa.
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