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Fiji were the dominant team for much of this match but set-piece, fitness and discipline ultimately let John McKee’s side down in the final third of the game.
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The Flying Fijians made one change to the XV which started against Georgia – Viliame Mata coming in for Peceli Yato in the back row.
Ultimately it will be a World Cup of regret for the Pacific Island nation, but their final match went some way to making up for their non-performance against Uruguay two matches previously.
1. CAMPESE MA’AFU
The most capped member of Fiji’s Rugby World Cup squad struggled badly against Tomas Francis. Apparently got a knock in the warm-up. That said, the best scrum at the 2015 RWC has been off the pace in Japan.
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2. SAMUEL MATAVESI
Some of the Cornish Pirates’ lineout throwing was decidedly iffy. Conceded two penalties.
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(Continue reading below…)
3. MANASA SAULO
Last time he played Wales at a World Cup he ended up getting banned for 10 months for stamping. Was part of a scrum on the back foot for much of the match.
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4. TEVITA CAVUBATI
‘Tex’ got needlessly sin-binned early on, which cost Fiji early. Flew up in defence and missed at least two tackles doing so. An athletic lock, but needs to tighten his discipline up.
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5. LEONE NAKARAWA
Now holds the outright record for carries for Fiji in World Cup history. At the start of the game he totalled 104 carries overall in RWC games and added a further three here. Came in and out of the match.
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That was a pulsating encounter ?
Hear what @fijirugby skipper Dominiko Waqaniburotu
made of it ?#RWC2019 #WALvFIJ #RWCOita pic.twitter.com/q9M4vy2GcH— Rugby World Cup (@rugbyworldcup) October 9, 2019
6. DOMINIKO WAQANIBUROTU
The skipper started against Australia, Uruguay and Georgia and got through a mountain of work here. This will be likely have been the veteran’s last World Cup.
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7. SEMI KUNATANI
A yellow card for offside in the 28th minute. Stripped by Josh Navidi in contact in the 42nd minute. Not his best day in a Fiji jersey.
5.5
8. VILIAME MATA
‘Big Bill’ carried and offloaded with his trademark mix of skill, power and size.
7.5
9. FRANK LOMANI
Denied an early try, yet his remarkable defence to stop Josh Adams not once but twice that caught the eye. A crisp and fast service topped off a superb display by the Melbourne Rebel.
8.5
10. BEN VOLAVOLA
Started well but a poor attempt at contesting the ball for Adams’ try won’t sit well with the Racing 92 man. Lost the ball in contact with the Welsh line beckoning in the 65th minute. Managed the game well with his boot.
7.5
Fiji's offloading game #RWC2019 #WALvsFIJ pic.twitter.com/0GsQXJ2iHQ
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) October 9, 2019
11. SEMI RADRADRA
Came into match in the second period. Wales struggled to contain him, with tacklers being scattered with his every carry. He made 177 metres against Uruguay at outside centre and but here he simply didn’t get enough quality ball. If he stays in union, his future really should be at 13.
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12. LEPANI BOTIA
He isn’t called ‘The Demolition Man’ for nothing. Battered Hadleigh Parkes in contact more than once. Came off early however.
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13. WAISEA NAYACALEVU
An ever-dependable option in midfield, if a tad more workmanlike than some of his colleagues. The giant outside centre popped up again and again on attack and defence.
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14. JOSUA TUISOVA
Came out the gate like a rodeo bull intent on destroying all in his path. He did. Frightening. Used all of his 108kg, 5’11 frame to terrify Welsh defenders. Had a ding-dong contest with the nimble feet of Adams.
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15. KINI MURIMURIVALU
Not the tank-like specimen of his fellow Fiji back division, but had enough power to motor through three Welsh defenders for his first try. Kicked well.
7.5
16. MESULAME DOLOKOTO
Not on long enough to rate.
17. ERONI MAWI
Came on for the entire second half. A highly versatile player capable of playing either at loosehead prop or at No8, he was an improvement on Ma’afu.
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18. PENI RAVAI
Didn’t see him carry the way we all know he can. Scrum was better in the second half.
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19. APISALOME RATUNIYARAWA
Played his part at the coal face in a physical battle when he came on.
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20. PECELI YATO
Caught Adams who may have been away to races after he lost a poor pass from Nakawara.
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21. NIKOLA MATAWALU
Registered a pair of tries in the 30-27 defeat by Uruguay in Fiji’s second match at RWC 2019. He can be an electric player, but Fiji lost all tempo when he came on thanks to the languidity of his passing service.
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22. JALE VATUBUA
The big Pau centre came on early and left an impression. Fell off a tackle on Jonathan Davies that resulted in a try.
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23. JOSH MATAVESI
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Comments on RugbyPass
9 Brumbies! What a joke! The best performing team in Oz! Ditch Skelton for Swain or Neville. Ryan Lonergan ahead of McDermott any day! Best selection bolter is Toole … amazing player
12 Go to commentsI like this, but ultimately rugby already has enough trophies. Trying to make more games “consequential" might prove to be a fools errand, although this is a less bad idea than some others. Minor quibble with the title of the article; it isn’t very meaningful to say the boks are the unofficial world champions when it would be functionally impossible for the Raeburn trophy not to be held by the world champions. There’s a period of a few months every 4 years when there is no “unofficial” world champion, and the Raeburn trophy is held by the actual world champions.
8 Go to commentsIts a great idea but one that I dont think will have a lot of traction. It will depend on the prestige that they each hold but if you can do that it would be great. When Japan beat the Boks (my team) I was absolutely devestated but I wont deny the great game they played that day. We were outclassed and it was one of the best games of rugby I have seen. Using an idea like this you might just give the the underdog teams more of an opportunity to beat the big teams and I can absolutely see it being a brilliant display of rugby. They beat us because they planned for that game. It was a great moment for Japan. This way we can remove the 4 year wait and give teams something to aim for outside of World Cup years.
8 Go to commentsHi, Dave here. Happy to answer questions 🥰
8 Go to commentsDon’t think that headline is accurate. It’s great to see Aus doing better but I’m not sure they’ve shown much threat to the top of the table. They shouldn’t be inflating wins against the lousy Highlanders and Crusaders either.
3 Go to commentsSuch a shame Roigard and Aumua picked up long term injuries, probably the two form players in the comp. Also, pretty sure Clarke Dermody isn’t their coach. Got it half right though.
3 Go to commentsOh the Aussie media, they never learn. At least Andrew Kellaway is like “Woah, yeah it’s great, but settle down there guys” having endured years of the Aussie media, fans, and often their players getting ahead of themselves only to fall flat on their faces. Have the “We'll win the Bledisloe for sure this year!” headlines started yet? It’s simple to see what’s going on. The Aussie teams are settled, they didn't lose any of their major players overseas. The Crusaders and Chiefs lost key experienced All Blacks, and Razor in the Crusaders case, and clearly neither are anywhere near as strong as last year (The Canes and Blues would probably be 3rd & 4th if they were). The Highlanders are annually average, even more so post-Aaron Smith and a big squad clean out. The two teams at the top? The two nz sides with largely the same settled roster as last year, except Ardie Savea for the Canes. They’ve both got far better coaches now too. If the Aussies are going to win the title, this is the year the kiwi sides will be weakest, so they better take their chance.
3 Go to commentsThe World Cup has to be the gold standard, line in the sand. 113 teams compete for what is the opportunity to make the pool stages, and then the knockout games for the trophy. The concept is sound. This must have been the rationale when the World Cup was created, surely? But I’m all for Looking forward and finding new ways for the SH to dominate the NH into the future. The autumn series needs a change up. Let’s start by having the NH teams come south every odd year for the Autumn/Spring series games?
8 Go to commentsWhat’ll happen when the AI models of the future go back in time and try to destroy the AI models of the past standing in their way of certain victory?
41 Go to commentsThanks, Nick. We (Seanny Maloney, Brett and I) just discussed Charlie as a potential Wallaby No 8, and wondered if he has truly realised how big he is in contact (and whether he can add 5 kg w/o slowing down). Your scouting report confirms our suspicions he has the materiel. No one knows if he has the mentality (as Johann van Graan said this week about CJ, Duane and Alfie B) to carry 10-15 times a game.
57 Go to commentsHe would be a great player for the Stormers, Dobbo should approach the guy.
3 Go to commentsGood article. A few years back when he was playing for the Cheetahs, he was a quiet standout for exactly the seasons stated here. I occasionally get to see his games in the UK, and he has become a more complete player and in many ways like an Irish player. His work ethic is so suitable to the Leinster game. I wonder if Rassie would have him listed somewhere.
3 Go to commentsResults probably skewed by the fact that a few clubs have foreign fly halves in their 30s, but most teams have young English scrum halves. Results also likely to be skewed by the fact that many teams rely on centres and fullbacks to provide depth at 10, whereas they will need to stock a large number of specialist backup 9s.
1 Go to commentsI really get the sense that when all is said and done, the path of least resistance will end up being a merger of Wasps & Worcester that essentially kills the Worcester Warriors brand and sees Wasps permanently playing at Sixways. I’m not saying that’s what should happen or what I want to happen. I just think it’s the easiest rout to take and therefore, will be what happens. Wasps will definitely return to play first, and I suppose it all depends on if they can find support at Sixways. If people turn up and support Wasps in that community, at that ground, I bet they drop the Sevenoaks plan and just remain at Sixways. Under the radar but not totally unrelated, it looks as though London Irish are going to be brought back from the dead by a German consortium and look set to return, likely to the remade Championship. It’s set to have 12 clubs next season with 14 in 2025/26, what do you want to bet those extra 2 are Wasps and London Irish?
3 Go to commentsThe shoulder is a “joint” with multiple bones. You don’t “fracture” a shoulder, you fracture any one or more of the bones that make up a shoulder.
2 Go to commentsOh dear, bones too suspect to continue?
2 Go to commentsBold headline considering the Canes and Blues are 1 and 2 and the Brumbies were soundly beaten by the Chiefs and Blues. Biggest surprise is Rebels 4 Crusaders 12 - no one saw that coming. If Aus are improving that’s great 👍
3 Go to commentsAnna, You are right, we need to have patience whilst the others catch up to England and France. Also it is the PWR that has been the game changer for England. the RFU put money into that initially at the expense of the Red Roses. I was sceptical at first but it has paid off in spades.
1 Go to commentsI think Matt Proctor became a 1 test AB in the same fixture. Cameron is quality and has been great this season, can’t believe’s he only 27. Realistically how would he not be selected for ABs squad this year. Only Dmac is ahead of him as a specialist 10. With Jordan out, it will come down to where and when Beauden Barrett slots back in, and where they want to play Ruben Love. Cameron seems an absolute lock in for the wider squad though. Added benefit of TJ-Cameron-Jordie combination at 9, 10, 11 too.
1 Go to commentsFarcical, to what end would someone want to pay to keep this thing going.
1 Go to comments