Wales v Fiji: Five takeaways as ‘horrendous lapses’ cost Gatland’s men : Planet Rugby

Following Fiji’s well-known 24-19 victory over Wales in Cardiff within the Autumn Nations Collection, listed here are our 5 takeaways from the match.

The Prime Line

Wales slumped to their tenth successive defeat in Cardiff as a Caleb Muntz-inspired Fiji recovered from a first-half crimson card to drag off an sudden win on the Principality Stadium.

Two tries to 3 demonstrated how shut the match was, however Wales conceded 12 turnovers and missed 32 tackles because the sheer physicality of the Flying Fijians muscled their approach by way of the crimson defence.

The attacking statistics inform a sorry story for Wales; Fiji managed some 383m with the ball in hand in opposition to a paltry 260m from the hosts, as dealing with and continuity honed within the sevens area gave Fiji a platform to work off.

It’s now 400 days since Wales recorded their final win after they beat Georgia in Nantes on October 23 on the Rugby World Cup. They’re a aspect that guarantees a lot however, reasonably like England, they’re struggling to show capability into strain and leads into outcomes.

Tuisova and Muntz eclipse Williams

Moments of brilliance from the Fiji midfielders, Muntz and Josua Tuisova put Wales to the sword in Cardiff as Muntz scored 19 factors in a superb show from the Pacific Island flyers.

Bouncing again from a crushing defeat final weekend, and a few horrendous self-discipline within the first half, the Fijian midfield merely went into beast mode as all three of the sensible Tuisova, Muntz and Nayacalevu blew Wales off their very own park.

Tuisova was quiet within the first half however within the second alone his six carries for 84 metres and a attempt took the sport away from Wales. Think about Muntz’s particular person stats of 10 carries for 154m along with his attempt to it’s apparent to see the massive affect the half-back had on proceedings.

For Wales, Tomas Williams saved them within the recreation nearly singlehandedly at instances; whether or not it’s sensible precision passing for the Ellis Bevan attempt, or a raking 50/22 to take strain out of his personal half, the scrum-half was completely immense, simply Wales’ finest participant regardless of the work of Jac Morgan when he got here on.

Fiji declare well-known Cardiff victory as depressing Wales fall to tenth successive Take a look at defeat

Essential Defensive Moments

Wales’ defence in phases and at maul time confirmed some actual promise, however successful take a look at matches is all about successful key defensive moments and a few horrendous lapses value the host dearly.

Two of the Fiji tries had been purely right down to defensive errors; firstly we noticed Muntz decide off Gareth Thomas in midfield after which step the final defender to scoot over for a fairly sensible solo effort. Then, within the second half, successful by Waisea Nayacalevu nearly eliminated Gareth Anscombe’s ribcage in successful from a highball that was, if you’re Fijian, completely timed, but when Welsh, marginally early.

However, from the ensuing scrum, Wales merely couldn’t include the ebullient Fijian midfield and after six phases, the ability of the Islanders noticed Tuisova crash over for a key rating.

Fiji made 11 dominant hits, a few of them completely bone-rattling, and while they struggled at instances to deal with the ability of Adam Beard and the Welsh driving maul, the sheer energy and enthusiasm of their defensive shift was on the core of this sensible and spectacular win.

Crumbs of Consolation

Wales have crumbs of consolation within the debut scores of two gamers, Blair Murray and Ellis Bevan, crossing the road in his first house Take a look at. Murray was completely excellent, and he was unfortunate to not seize a second, and Warren Gatland could be delighted within the efficiency of the kids.

However outdoors of these two, some critical questions have to be requested concerning the Welsh decision-making. Turning down three alternatives for essential penalty scores took a possible 9 factors away from their tally. The driving maul, at all times an choice when the very good Beard will get his huge body and arms within the effort, was a transparent level of differentiation and it was incomprehensible how Wales didn’t use their potent weapon to raised have an effect on.

Aaron Wainwright had his moments at eight, Dewi Lake and Archie Griffin carried effectively throughout their time on the pitch, and Jac Morgan actually confirmed why he’s so necessary for Wales as a pacesetter and participant, however apart from these small glimmers of sunshine, it was a darkish day for Welsh rugby.

Wales participant rankings v Fiji: Lions contender boosts tour possibilities with ‘epic captain’s knock’ regardless of gut-wrenching defeat

Card Chaos

Referee Luc Ramos had a busy match however credit score to the inexperienced French official, he nailed his calls, with the help of nice enter from his officiating crew.

Firstly, Tommy Reffell, a participant that prides himself on his accuracy, acquired his timing unsuitable and noticed his shoulder hit the huge jaw of Semi Radradra, a sure-fire yellow however not overly harmful.

Then, a collapsed maul noticed Elia Canakaivata in on the aspect in a determined try and repel the Welsh drive, a transparent penalty attempt to a yellow card.
With a person apiece off, it seemed that luck and poor timing would even themselves out till Fiji launched an enormous up and underneath on Cam Winnett – enter Radradra, a person of 6’4”, at tempo. He did not sluggish, failed to regulate and his shoulder nearly took Winnett’s head off in an identical incident to the Reffell yellow, however at a far better tempo and, in consequence, a a lot larger stage of hazard.

The end result was an upgraded crimson card, the primary 20-min crimson within the Northern Hemisphere and solely the second in take a look at rugby historical past, after Pablo Matera’s incident within the second take a look at versus South Africa within the Rugby Championship.

Ramos’ name simply earlier than half-time as Fiji rumbled over when his TMO noticed the Fiji tighthead in entrance of the driving maul taking out a Welsh defender was one other choice out of the very best drawer because the officers saved their nerve in a reasonably tough first half for the four-person crew.
However Fiji now should accede they’ve a problem; in 100 minutes of rugby they’ve conceded three yellow and one crimson card, and in the event that they need to preserve strain they merely should hold 15 gamers on the pitch for so long as they’ll.

READ MORE: Wales v Fiji: Winners and losers as ‘strain mounts’ on Warren Gatland after ‘sorry’ document as ‘completely different beast’ stars in well-known victory