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Fiji player ratings vs Wales | Rugby World Cup 2023
The Flying Fijians opened their Rugby World Cup against Wales in Bordeaux with a 32-26 loss that went right down to the wire.
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Fiji climbed back from 8-0 down to take a 14-8 lead midway through the first half but couldn’t capitalise on their opportunities in a wild game that see sawed between the two sides.
Wales looked to fight fire with fire and matched Fiji’s enterprise with brilliant counter-attacking rugby of their own. They looked to have the game sealed before a furious comeback by Fiji that just fell short.
Here’s how Fiji’s players rated.
1 Eroni Mawi – 6
Was judged to have dropped the ball diving over the line after many phases of pick and goes by the Fijian pack. The Fijian scrum held up well against Wales early. They had stable ball on their own feeds and didn’t look in trouble against the feed. Off at 57.
Mauls: The first attacking maul was nearly put over the sideline as the Welsh pack remained strong.Second maul was stopped. Their maul defence caved late in the second half after a yellow card to openside Tagitagivalu. Overall a mixed bag, some good, some bad.
2 Sam Matavesi – 6
Lead from the front in close as part of a resiliant Fijian defence. Finished with equal most tackles. The goal line D was exceptional in the first half. His lineout throwing was on the money. The pack held strong in the scrums and dominated the gain line for the most part.
3 Luke Tagi – 6
Had a good offload early and strong carrying up front. Got through a high tackle count for a prop and maintained a high work rate, anchored a solid set-piece.
4 Isoa Nasilasila – 5
Early clean out work as Fiji’s power game fired into life. Gave away a bad penalty 15 seconds into the second half, but got a break when Biggar missed his penalty. Finished with 6 carries.
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5 Te Ahiwaru Cirikidaveta – 6
Took on the off-the-ball work with plenty of cleaning. Had three carries and was equal top tackler for Fiji with seven.
6 Albert Tuisue – 6
First carry didn’t go too well with Wales winning a penalty. Made a great cover tackle after George North’s break. Carried hard but a had few turnovers. Finished with seven tackles.
7 Lekima Tagitagivalu – 5
Another powerful carry option who had fantastic leg drive. In combination with Mata the Fijian loose forwards made plenty of gain line. Finished off a brilliant Fiji try after Radradra break. Unfortunately took a yellow card for a collapsed maul in the second half.
8 Viliame Mata – 8
The big No 8 brought size and power, with big carries and folded centre Nick Tompkins at one point with a big tackle. Was the engine of the Fijian pack. Took some brutal carries returning goal line drop outs.
9 Frank Lomani – 7
Good quick ball from the base early and on target. His service and pass was exceptional. He took off from the ruck well and threatened defenders in close. Took the conversions when he was on.
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10 Teti Tela – 6
Provided a great touchfinder into the corner early. Restarts were very accurate, but his first penalty was a bad miss from long range. Tela ran Fiji’s patterns well and had very good distribution. Missed on a crossfield kick opportunity to Radradra under advantage. Missed the conversions when Lomani went off which hurt.
11 Vinaya Habosi – 4
Good first take under the high ball to win back possession. Explosive pace looked dangerous. Coughed up a costly ball running under Lomani on an early attacking possession. Gave away a key penalty for a dangerous tackle on Liam Williams. Had a great cover tackle on Louis Rees-Zammit to save a try but missed a cross kick moments later. Off at 52. He will have better Tests for Fiji, tried hard but execution lacking with three turnovers.
12 Semi Radradra – 4
It was a mixed night for the superstar which ended in heartbreak. He had a big miss on George North from the first midfield attacking lineout which led to Wales’ first try, but got his own back with a try assist and a big line break off a Fijian midfield scrum. Forced a ruck penalty on halfway shortly afterward.
Made a bad read biting in on Tompkins which let North in for another try after the Fijian pack had stood up on the goal line. On attack he carried a lot and demonstrated his power, but the combinations with his outsides weren’t completely there. Moved to the wing for the final half hour. Missed the opportunity to score the game-winning try with an open line begging.
13 Waisea Nayacalevu – 6
Burst into the game with an incredible run through the Welsh defence to score Fiji’s first try. Immediately became creator to find Radradra with a majestic offload for Fiji’s second as they went bang-bang in the space of a few minutes. Went quiet after that and didn’t get any more ball in Fiji’s attack. A massive shame for the quality centre as he showed his class in the first half.
14 Selestino Ravutaumada – 5
Had a great bat back to get Fiji the ball after North’s try from the kick restart. Was beaten one-on-one by Josh Adams unfortunately isolated out wide. Had a high shot on halfback Gareth Davies covering the kick which was big moment with Fiji having a penalty in range reversed. Had three breaks but they were all covered quickly.
15 Ilaisa Droasese – 6
Injected into the line with promise and always looked like breaking through. Was safe at the back, covering kicks well and diffusing bombs. Hardly put a foot wrong in a very clinical performance. Finished with top running metres for Fiji with 128.
Substitutes
16 Tevita Ikanivere – The Fijian reserve forwards came on and dominated the scrum and continued the power onslaught with their carries.
17 Peni Ravai – 8 – Immediately came in with fire and tried a couple of big shorts. Incredible power with ball-in-hand and made 9 carries in his cameo. Was rewarded with a barge over try minutes from the end.
18 Mesake Doge – 5 – Injected himself with some strong carries.
19 Temo Mayanavanua – N/A – On at 69 mins.
20 Levani Botia – 5 – The veteran crashed over but was held up at a key moment with Fiji trying close the gap to 4 points.
21 Simione Kuruvoli – On – Brought physical defence off the bench.
22 Josua Tuisova – 7 – Came in for Radradra and brought plenty of energy looking for the ball. Carried over Jac Morgan with his first touch. Crashed over for Fiji’s third try after the Fiji forwards bent the line. Finished with 5 defenders beaten in a solid cameo.
23 Sireli Maqala – N/A – On in 74th.
Comments on RugbyPass
Tamati Tua. …the Taniwha NPC midfielder. Ollie Sapsford, Hawkes Bay NPC midfielder…doing well
1 Go to commentsFiji deserve to be in the rugby championship, fans love seeing the Fijian national team play, the Fijian Drua is a wonderful idea but the players can still be stolen to play for NZ and AUS…
1 Go to commentsThe first concern for this afternoon are wheather forecast…
1 Go to commentsWhy cant I watch Rugby games please?
1 Go to commentsBeautiful shot from Finau, end of story. Gutted for Shaun Stevenson though.
4 Go to commentsThe Chiefs definitely didn’t win ugly. They had the superior scrum, a dominant lineout, and their defence was excellent once the Waratahs scored their two tries (thanks to some lucky refereeing calls mind you). They put pressure on the Waratahs lineout throughout the game, and the mind boggles as to why the referee did not award a yellow card or a penalty try against the Waratahs for repeated scrum infringements on their own try line before Narawa’s first try. And the Chiefs were slick with their passing and running angles on attack. It was a dominant performance all round, even with many questionable refereeing decisions.
1 Go to commentsWasnt late. Ref 2 assistants andTMO all saw it so who are you to say it was?
4 Go to commentsAre the Brumbies playing the Blues twice in a row?
4 Go to commentsBig difference from the Saders. Forwards really muscled up and laid a solid platform. Scooter brought some steel and I liked the loosie combination. Newell has been rather disappointing this season but stepped up big time - happy also to see Franks dot down. He should do that more often! Reihana had a good game and there seems to be more flair and invention with him in the saddle. McNicoll plays well from the back and is reliable plus inventive when he joins the line. Keep it up chaps!
3 Go to comments🤦♂️🤣 who cares who’s the best . All I know is the All Blacks have the star coach but have few star players now …
33 Go to commentsJe suis sûr que Farrell est impatient de jouer avec Lopez et Machenaud et d’être entraîné par Collazo… 🤭
1 Go to commentsAn on field red (aka a full red) in SRP must surely carry a bigger suspension than a red card given by the bunker as that carries a 20 minute team punishment. Had Damon Murphy abdicated his responsibility as a ref and issued both Drua players a yellow, which would have been upgraded to a 20 minute red by the bunker, that would have killed Australia and New Zealand’s push for the 20 minute red to be trialled globally from July this year.
11 Go to commentsEver so often you all post a Danny Care story that isn’t the announcement that he has finally re-signed for one more, victory tour season at Quins and I’m just like, “well you fooled me again!” My absolute favorite player ever, we need to make his final year at the Stoop (and Twickers) official already. I know he supposedly snubbed France but I won’t feel better until he signs.
1 Go to commentslate hit what late hit it wasn’t at all late and can clearly see he was committed before the tackle
4 Go to commentsChristian Lio -Willies 2 try perfomance was a standout. As was captain Scott Barrett. Up front was where the boys won it.They are a great team and players. Fantastic Crusaders , you can keep going.
3 Go to commentsI don't know how the locals feel about that? I guess if you call yourselves the Worcester Wasps that might be appease. But really we need more teams in the Premiership in my view so they are not padding it out as they are at the moment. It might curtail so many players going abroad as well
5 Go to commentsNZ 😭😭😭is certainly rivaling England for best whingers cup!😭😭😭 !!!
33 Go to commentsYup. New Zealand won 3 out of 10 world cups played. SA 4 out of 8 attempts 30 Vs 50 per cent.🤔🤔
33 Go to commentsShould've done this years ago. Change Saturday kick off times to around 11am. Up and off and back home before 3pm, limit travel time too. Allows players to actually do something else with their Saturday that's family oriented or being rugby fans they could ‘watch’ pro rugby. Increases crowds etc. How can anyone that enjoys grassroots and pro rugby have to choose between the two on Saturdays?
9 Go to commentsI bet he inspired those supporters just as much.
1 Go to comments