Summary

  • Fiji wing Eroni Sau sent off on 24 mins for high hit on Johnny Williams

  • Fiji flanker Albert Tuisue and prop Eroni Mawi both sin-binned

  • Ryan Elias (2), Kieran Hardy, Alex Cuthbert, Louis Rees-Zammit & Liam Williams tries for Wales

  • Skipper Waisea Nayacalevu with two Fiji tries

  • Wales prop WillGriff John early casualty after collision

  • Wales lose centre Josh Adams before kick-off with calf strain

  1. See you next week!published at 17:45 Greenwich Mean Time 14 November 2021

    FT: Wales 38-23 Fiji

    Well it wasn't convincing and at times it was a bit messy, but Wales have got the job done and scored six tries in the process.

    Fiji deserve a lot of credit, as despite twice being down to 13 men they held firm for long periods.

    But it was the Welsh backs, Liam Williams, Louis Rees-Zammit and Alex Cuthbert, who made the difference when it counted late on.

    As head coach Wayne Pivac eluded to, Wales will need to be better next week against Australia, but they'll be pleased to have broken their losing home run and get their first win of the autumn.

    Thank you for joining us, we'll see you next week.

    Liam WilliamsImage source, Huw Evans Picture Agency
  2. 'Errors made it hard' for Wales - Pivacpublished at 17:35 Greenwich Mean Time 14 November 2021

    FT: Wales 38-23 Fiji

    Wayne PivacImage source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

    Wales head coach Wayne Pivac told Amazon Prime: "We got ourselves into some good positions and then gave errors away at the breakdown

    "We made it hard for ourselves, they had everything to gain and nothing to lose

    "I'm learning a lot, that's what it's about a couple years out from the World Cup

    "We've 17-18 guys unavailable so there are a lot of young guys getting opportunities and it's good for them to experience a tight game like that

    "It was one of those games where you know Fiji can score points even with 13 men or 14 men

    "They're in our World Cup pool so we've got a lot of work to do

    "You don't want injuries and you want competition for places, but we're building depth and from that point of view I'm very pleased.

    "The Australians [next Saturday] will be a different challenge again, there are a few guys with bumps from today, and Aaron Wainwright I think will be back next week too."

  3. 'Red card galvanised Fiji' - Hardypublished at 17:35 Greenwich Mean Time 14 November 2021

    FT: Wales 38-23 Fiji

    Kieran Hardy tryImage source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

    Wales scrum-half Kieran Hardy told Amazon Prime: "They started well before the red card which can galvanise a team and make them dangerous.

    "Maybe we overplayed in the first half and the contact area perhaps wasn't quite good enough.

    "The forwards put in a massive shift, Fiji tired and in the end we won with a fairly comfortable scoreline."

  4. Wales had to 'grind them down' - Jenkinspublished at 17:31 Greenwich Mean Time 14 November 2021

    FT: Wales 38-23 Fiji

    Ellis Jenkins carries for WalesImage source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

    Wales captain Ellis Jenkins told Amazon Prime: "Fiji are a great team, full of exciting players and they're so tough to stop when they get going.

    "We stuck to our guns, we were a bit messy at times but fair play to them it was tough from start to finish.

    "We knew we were in for a game, every time you play Fiji they have these purple patches. They play free-flowing rugby and even when you know it's coming it's tough to stop.

    "We had to grind them down and hope it opened up and that's what happened.

    "They caused us a lot of problems at the breakdown and defended very well, there's lots to work on for us but good to win.

    "You get a huge buzz every time you drive to this stadium, especially after the last 18 months, so it's great to see everyone back and glad we could get a win for them."

  5. Postpublished at 17:25 Greenwich Mean Time 14 November 2021

    FT: Wales 38-23 Fiji

    Emyr Lewis
    Former Wales flanker on BBC Radio Cymru

    I don't feel Wales were ever in control of that game. I know they scored six tries in the end but they never really dominated Fiji. It's a strangely unsatisfying feeling for me.

  6. Postpublished at 17:20 Greenwich Mean Time 14 November 2021

    FT: Wales 38-23 Fiji

    Cennydd Davies
    Chwaraeon BBC Cymru

    The scoreline is a little unfair on Fiji. Wales have faced a stern challenge and Fiji have contributed enormously to this game.

    Ultimately though Wales have their first win of the campaign on the board but will need to improve dramatically if they're going to beat Australia next week.

  7. Full-time - Wales 38-23 Fijipublished at 17:19 Greenwich Mean Time 14 November 2021

    Wales have their first win of the autumn series, but they've been made to work for it by 14-man Fiji.

    Two tries from Ryan Elias and one apiece from wings Alex Cuthbert and Louis Rees-Zammit - plus that last-gasp effort from Liam Williams - helped Wales to victory.

    But they were helped by the ill-discipline of Fiji, who had Eroni Sau sent off in the first half before yellow cards for Albert Tuisue and Eroni Mawi.

    Credit to the visitors, who fought back to lead in the second half despite their numerical disadvantage, but Wales kept up the pressure late on to claim victory.

    Wales celebrateImage source, Huw Evans Picture Agency
  8. try

    Converted try - Wales 38-23 Fijipublished at 80+2 mins

    Liam Williams, con Callum Sheedy

    Liam Williams puts the cherry on top for Wales.

    It's Nick Tompkins, who only found out he was starting minutes before kick-off, who break free this time and has men left and right.

    He goes right to Williams who runs in a try he deserved for his performance.

    Callum Sheedy kicks the extras.

    Liam Williams tryImage source, Reuters
  9. Postpublished at 80 mins

    Wales 31-23 Fiji

    Dyddgu Hywel
    Former Wales full-back on BBC Radio Cymru

    Wales will be very disappointed with their performance today. There have been so many basic errors and quite honestly I'm surprised that they're going to end up winning.

  10. Postpublished at 79 mins

    Wales 31-23 Fiji

    Wales win a penalty on the half-way line and that will likely be that.

    Callum Sheedy kicks the ball into Fiji territory, less than 60 seconds to go in Cardiff.

  11. Postpublished at 77 mins

    Wales 31-23 Fiji

    Fiji aren't letting this go easily.

    The 14 men are deep in Wales territory and cross the line but are held up by the Welsh pack.

    Wales clear from the goal-line drop-out, one of World Rugby's new rules, and Fiji will get the ball back.

    Time is against them now though.

  12. Postpublished at 17:09 Greenwich Mean Time 14 November 2021

    Cennydd Davies
    Chwaraeon BBC Cymru

    That's a moment of magic from Louis Rees-Zammit. He's so, so quick and reminded me of Ieuan Evans or JJ Williams flying down the wing.

  13. try

    Converted try - Wales 31-23 Fijipublished at 74 mins

    Louis Rees-Zammit, con Callum Sheedy

    The Gloucester man may have had a try chalked off in the first half but this one stands and Wales certainly have a star in Louis Rees-Zammit.

    The weight of the kick is perfect and the wing's pace sees him breeze past two Fijian defenders - and that's after 75 minutes in this physical, bruising match.

    Callum Sheedy is perfect with this conversion and Wales are now two scores clear.

    Rees-Zammit tryImage source, Reuters
  14. Try review - Wales 29-23 Fijipublished at 73 mins

    Louis Rees-Zammit

    If this try counts it's another highlight reel moment for Louis Rees-Zammit.

    The wing kicks the ball from the halfway line and makes up massive amounts of ground to beat Ben Volavola to the ball.

    The referee Nic Berry is looking at the grounding, to see if there is obvious separation.

  15. Replacementspublished at 72 mins

    Wales 24-23 Fiji

    Eroni Mawi is back on the field after his sin-binning.

    Scrum-half Nikola Matawalu and Scarlets lock Tevita Ratuva are on for Fiji.

  16. Replacementpublished at 71 mins

    Wales 24-23 Fiji

    Here's a big moment for 19-year-old Christ Tshiunza who comes on to make his Wales debut.

    First thing to do is to help win a defensive line-out, as 13-man Fiji look to get their lead back.

  17. Postpublished at 69 mins

    Wales 24-23 Fiji

    Dyddgu Hywel
    Former Wales full-back on BBC Radio Cymru

    Alex Cuthbert did so well there to bounce off the tackle squeeze in for the try. I'm really happy for him because he's been in the international wilderness for such a long time.

  18. try

    Try - Wales 24-23 Fijipublished at 67 mins

    Alex Cuthbert

    Cuthbert tryImage source, Reuters

    Four years away from international rugby, but Alex Cuthbert is back scoring tries for Wales.

    Fiji do clear their lines but they lose the ball at the line-out.

    Quick hands from Nick Tompkins, Louis Rees-Zammit, Liam Williams and finally Cuthbert sees the wing sneak in in the corner.

    He does brilliantly to ride the tackle from Setariki Tuicuvu and get the ball down.

    Callum Sheedy's conversion curls away, Wales restore their slender lead.

  19. Replacementpublished at 16:55 Greenwich Mean Time 14 November 2021

    Wales 19-23 Fiji

    Callum Sheedy is on at fly-half for Wales, replacing Dan Biggar.

    Another replacement, Willis Halaholo, breaks into the Fiji half but Wales are offside from a kick and the visitors can clear.

  20. Postpublished at 16:55 Greenwich Mean Time 14 November 2021

    Emyr Lewis
    Former Wales flanker on BBC Radio Cymru

    It wasn't pretty but it was effective. I'm not celebrating though because Fiji are playing all the rugby. Wales have no creativity and are just relying on that driving maul. There's a strange feeling here.