Wales player ratings versus Fiji
Despite being given a real scare by Fiji in the opening 15 minutes of both halves, Wales were able to record a 29-17 victory over the Islanders in Oita and keep control of Pool D.
Warren Gatland’s side were at close to full-strength for the encounter – perhaps not too surprising given their history against the Pacific Islands – with just two changes from the side that defeated Australia in Tokyo. Although there were periods of the game where Fiji looked as though they might spring an upset, it was Wales who were able to remain composed and see out the contest.
Check out our player ratings for the Welsh 23 below.
- Liam Williams – 8
The full-back ran a couple of nice lines that brought territory gains for Wales, as well as being a very reliable aerial competitor at the back. He didn’t necessarily enjoy the busiest of games on the counter-attack, though that was seemingly game plan-related, as Wales opted not to create too many broken field situations. Fully-deserved his late try.
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- George North – 6
One of the quieter games that North will have in a Wales jersey, as the majority of the side’s attacking phase play moved to the left wing. He held up well defensively against the explosive Semi Radradra on a couple of occasions, also.
- Jonathan Davies – 7
The outside centre grew into the game and after a couple of early errors and tentative moments, linked play well with the left wing, made the right decisions in defence and even provided a deft kicking threat when Fiji rushed up and left space in behind. His carry and offload for Josh Adams’ try proved pivotal.
https://twitter.com/rugbyworldcup/status/1181904403147759616
- Hadleigh Parkes – 5.5
Parkes was physical in his defence of Fiji’s power midfielders and had a couple of incisive forays as a ball-carrier himself. His usual composure to be aware of his support and link with them wasn’t always there, though. As a result, he coughed up a few turnovers.
- Josh Adams – 6.5
It was a rollercoaster ride for Adams, who started the game by missing the key tackles for Fiji’s first two tries as well as knocking on in a two-on-one. He managed to redeem himself with two first-half tries, however, which brought Wales back into the game. The wing brought himself into credit with a hat-trick try in the second half, supporting Davies’ break.
https://twitter.com/RugbyPass/status/1181860605151588354
- Dan Biggar – 7
The flyhalf brought some valuable control when Fiji made their electric start and he nailed two tough conversions from the sideline. His defence was also strong, although he unfortunately had to leave the pitch after 55 minutes after being part of an aerial collision with Williams.
- Gareth Davies – 6.5
With Wales keen not to open up the game too much and play into Fiji’s hands, Davies’ usual game was restricted somewhat. He brought important tempo when opportunities arose, though, and Wales were able to capitalise. His trademark darts around the fringe were limited.
- Wyn Jones – 5
The loosehead had some struggles against Manasa Saulo at the scrum early in the first half. He had a brief reprieve when Fiji were reduced to 14 players, though the pressure came back on strongly in the second half.
https://twitter.com/RugbyPass/status/1181899727765409792?s=20
- Ken Owens – 5.5
The Scarlet connected with all three of his lineouts and created a foundation for Wales, though his yellow card for a tip tackle hurt his side in the first half. He defended resolutely around the fringes, without impacting the game offensively too much.
- Tomas Francis – 5.5
Francis provided a relatively solid platform at the set-piece, most notably when Fiji lost Tevita Cavubati to the sin bin. He probably didn’t have the impact he would have liked outside that 10-minute period, however, both in the loose and at the scrum.
- Jake Ball – 5.5
Ball had a couple of moments where he exerted his physicality on Fiji, though they were few and far between. Wales weren’t able to disrupt Fiji’s lineout, maul or the speed of ball they were able to generate at the contact area.
https://twitter.com/rugbyworldcup/status/1181902098377723904
- Alun Wyn Jones – 6
Not the most influential game that Jones will ever have for Wales, and the physical arm wrestle with Fiji’s ball-carriers and tacklers was one that he both won and lost during the 80 minutes in Oita. One thing which did not vary was the impressive work rate that he put in on the defensive side of the ball but Fiji’s tempo and physicality was tough to contain.
- Josh Navidi – 6.5
After missing a couple of tackles in the first half, Navidi looked more comfortable in the second. He ripped the ball from Semi Kunatani in one tackle and frequently led the defensive line.
- James Davies – 5.5
A mixed bag for Davies who was influential in defence with his work rate and was able to get his hands on the ball at the breakdown on a couple of occasions. It was mitigated by his offside penalty that led to the try for Josua Tuisova and a carry where he isolated himself and was turned over. Repeated offences led to a second-half yellow card.
- Ross Moriarty – 6.5
Physically grew into the game after a strong 25-metre carry off the base of the scrum. He helped even up the battle of the back rows on the gain line where Fiji had a clear advantage in early in the game.
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Replacements
- Elliot Dee – 6
The hooker connected with three of his four lineouts, although his impact in the loose was limited.
- Rhys Carre – 6.5
A late cameo, though he seemed to provide a more solid anchor on the loosehead admittedly against Fiji’s second-string front row.
- Dillon Lewis – 6
Like Carre, Lewis kept the set-piece as a solid foundation follow his arrival.
- Aaron Shingler – 6
Took a lineout after his late arrival, though there was little time to do much else.
- Aaron Wainwright – No rating
Really wasn’t able to influence the game following his arrival, as the game became disjointed and Wales saw out the win.
- Tomos Williams – 6
Kept up the tempo after Davies moved to the wing, with Adams limping from the field.
- Rhys Patchell – 6
Patchell made and missed a kick apiece and had some sharp passes that help the Welsh back line find space.
- Owen Watkin – 7
The centre made a couple of key tackles and defensive involvements after replacing Davies and made the carry that teed up Williams’ try.
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Comments on RugbyPass
The 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?
1 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 👍
1 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 commentsHavili, our best 12 by a mile, will be in the squad, if he stays fit. JB is the most overrated AB in the last 50 years.
61 Go to commentsWe had during the week twilight footy, twilight cricket, tw golf plus there was the athletics club. Then the weekend was rugby 15s plus the net ball, really busy club scene back then but so much has changed and rugby has suffered. And it was all about changing lifestyles.
6 Go to commentsIn the 70s and 80s my club ran 5 Senior sides plus a Vets. Now it is 2 sides with an occasional 3rd team. Players have difficulty getting to training now, not sure why and the commitment is not there. It seems to me more a problem of people applying themselves and not expecting to turn up and play whenever they want to.
6 Go to commentsROG’s contract is until 2027. The conversation about a successor to Galthie after RWC 2027 may be starting now. We can infer that Galthie’s reign stops then. He is throwing the Irish Coaching Job angle in because he is Irish. The next Irish coach MUST be Leo Cullen. As well as being the best coach available, coaching the vast majority of Irish Internationals week in week out, he has shown incredible skill at recruiting the best coaching staff for the job in hand. That was a failing in France. Cullen is a shrewd guy and if there is a need for foreign coaches underneath him he won’t hesitate. Rightly so. Ireland does need to start to bring Irish coaches through. Not just at the professional level but we need to train coaches to man new pathways for developing kids from schools/clubs up through the divisions.
8 Go to commentsNo Islam says it must rule where it stands Thus it is to be deleted from this planet Earth
19 Go to commentsThis team probably does not beat the ABs sadly Not sure if BPA will be available given his signing for Force but has to enter consideration. Very strong possibility of getting schooled by the AB props. Advantage AB. Rodda/Skelton would be a tasty locking combination - would love to see how they get on. Advantage Wallabies. Backrow a risk of getting out hustled and outmuscled by ABs. Will be interesting to see if the Blues feast on the Reds this weekend the way they did the Brumbies we are in big trouble at the breakdown. Great energy, running and defence but goalkicking/general kicking/passing quality in the halves bothers me enormously. SA may have won the World Cup for a lot of the tournament without a recognised goalkicker but Pollard in the final made a difference IMO. Injuries and retirements leave AB stocks a bit lighter but still stronger. 12 and 13 ABs shade it (Barret > Paisami, Ione = Ikitau, arguably) Interesting clash of styles on the wings - Corey Toole running around Caleb Clark and Caleb running over the top of Toole. Reece vs Koro probably the reverse. Pretty even IMO. 15s Kelleway = Love See advantage to ABs man for man, but we are not obviously getting slaughtered anywhere which makes a nice change. Think talent wise we are pretty even and if our cohesion and teamwork is better than the ABs then its just about doable.
11 Go to commentsCompletely agree. More friday night games would be a hit. RFU to make sure every club has a floodlit pitch. Club opens again Saturday to welcome touch / tag. Minis and youths on Sunday
6 Go to comments