Steve Tandy wary of what is to come for Wales after Fiji win

Steve Tandy felt an “outstanding” effort allowed Wales to end a near five-year wait to score six tries in a Test match.

Rhys Carre, Josh Adams, Ryan Elias and Eddie James added to a Jac Morgan double as Wales opened their Nations Championship campaign with a 39-24 victory over Fiji in Cardiff.

It was the first time Wales had scored six tries in a match since doing so in the 2021 Autumn series, also against Fiji in Cardiff.

“Scoring six tries is outstanding for the boys and I love it when it comes from set-piece as well,” said head coach Tandy.

“It’s not exactly Fijian-style rugby, but it’s where we know tactically we are going into the game.

“The way the players go about the plan is outstanding and the bench also coming on makes a difference.

“We are getting confidence from putting people on, we know it’s going to kick on.

“We’re going to savour the win, but we won’t be getting carried away as we’ve now got two unbelievable Tests (away to Argentina and South Africa) with limited training.”

After winning only twice in 27 Tests – both against Japan – Wales have now recorded successive wins over Italy, the Barbarians in an uncapped fixture and Fiji.

Tandy said: “The fight in the group is outstanding. We spoke all week about Fiji having moments and they had more moments than we would have liked.

“But that’s Test match rugby. They’ve got some quality players littered around Europe playing in big teams.

“They’ve got power and pace but I loved the fact our boys kept climbing in and how it got to the back end. We controlled the second half, which was pleasing.”

Skipper Dewi Lake was delighted to savour victory at a football ground where he watches his beloved Cardiff.

He said: “I usually spend my time up in the Canton End.

“I know for some boys in that (dressing) room it’s their first Test match win in a long time – maybe their first Test match winning in the jersey at all.

“So I think building that experience of winning, and that feeling of winning and it becoming a habit for us, is really important as well.”

Fiji head coach Senirusi Seruvakula said: “We had a lot of opportunities in the first half and we thought we were on a roll.

“But we were unsettled at times and, full credit to Wales, they deserved that win.”

Centre Semi Radradra and prop Tim Hoyt will miss the upcoming England and Scotland games after suffering respective ACL and calf injuries that will require surgery.