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
*They used to say that football is a gentleman sport watched by hooligans and rugby is a hooligan sport watched by gentlemen. How times have changed.*
3 Go to commentsexcept ot wasnt late wasnt late at all so dont know why you all saying its late he commits early and its your fault fir not paying attention
29 Go to commentsNot sure the Bulls need another average utility back in their ranks. Chamberlain has been ok for the Sharks but is by no means an X-Factor player. Bulls bought several utility backs which they barely use. A typical example would be Henry Immelman who plays mostly Fullback. The Bulls however have rarely played him this year and he has played wing or centre. Bulls want to build depth but seems like they have too many surplus players
1 Go to commentsABs lost against a side playing without a hooker - The guy playing, had one shoulder. Line outs were a gimme for the ABs, and the last 8 minutes 14 played 14 against a team that had been smashed 3 weeks in a row… Yet with all that possession, with all that territory, with all the advantages they actually had, especially in the last 8 minutes, they couldn’t buy a point. Those last 8 minutes determined if they outplayed the Boks or not. History will show that the Boks completely outplayed the ABs, especially in those last 8 minutes, the business end of any rugby match
226 Go to commentsWould’ve, could’ve, should’ve, didn’t.
226 Go to commentsKok will become a fan favourite
1 Go to commentsI am really looking forward to Leigh Halfpenny playing his first Super rugby game for the Crusaders Playing a long side his former Welsh and Scarlets team mate Johnny McNicoll.Johnny has been playing great, back in a Crusaders jersey.The attack has strengthened big time. Also looking forward to David Havili at 10. David is a class act, it also allows Dallas McLeod to remain at 12. A good thing.
1 Go to commentsIf he had stopped insisting on playing in the backrow, instead of wing, where everyone told him he should, he would have been a Bok years ago….
11 Go to comments‘Salads don’t win scrums’ 😂 I love that.
19 Go to commentsCan’t wait for the article that talks about misogyny in Ireland. Somehow.
16 Go to commentsI would like to see a rule change, when the attacking team is held up over the try line, by allowing the defensive team to restart a goal line drop out releases the pressure for the defensive team, but what if the attacking team had to restart a tap 5m out from the defensive team it gives the attacking team to apply more pressure, there are endless options for the attacking side and it will keep the fans in suspence.
2 Go to commentsLess modern South African males predictably triggered.
16 Go to commentsMy heart is with Quins, but the head is convinced Toulouse have too much. Ntamack is back, his timing and wisdom has been missed.
1 Go to commentsWow, what a starting line up for the Sharks) Tasty up front,kremer vs Tshituka or venter …fiery ,,Lavannini ,,will he knobble etzebeth? Biggest game for belleau?
1 Go to commentsIt was rubbish to watch, Blues weren’t even present. Did what they had to do, nothing more. Should be better next week against canes.
1 Go to commentsI’ve just noticed that this match has an all-French refereeing team. Surely a game like this ought to have a neutral ref? Although looking at the BBC preview of the Saints game, Raynal is also down as reffing that - so there may be some confusion about who is reffing what.
1 Go to commentsIf Havili can play anywhere in the back line, why not first 5. #10.
11 Go to commentsThe dressing room had already left for their summer break before they ran out in Dublin that year, and that’s on the coach. Franco Smith has undoubtedly made progress, particularly their maul, developing squad players and increasing squad depth. And against a very tight budget too. That said they were too lightweight last year and got found out against both Toulon and Munster in consecutive games. Better this season so far but they’ve developed something of a slow start habit occasionally, most notably losing at home to Northampton who played them at their own game. Play offs will ultimately show whether there has been tangible progress on last year, or not…!
2 Go to commentsAustralian Rugby has been a disaster, by not incorporating learning from previous successful campaigns. QLD Reds 2011 - Waratahs 2014. Players, coaches and administrators appoint there representatives for scheduled meetings, organisation’s agreement’s assessments and correspondence. This why a unified Rugby Union under one entity works. Every Rugby nation has taken that path. Was most difficult in the Northern hemisphere with over 100 years of club rugby before the game become professional. Took a lot of humility for those unions to eventually work together.
7 Go to commentsThough Wilson’s sacking was pretty brutal, it wasn’t just down to that Leinster game; Glasgow had a lot of 2nd half collapses that season, in the URC and Europe, and only just scraped into the playoffs. Franco Smith has definitely been an improvement, some players are delivering far more than they did under Wilson.
2 Go to comments