Wales edge Fiji in Cardiff thriller

Outscoring the Pacific islanders by two tries to one, Wales piled even more pressure on hosts England to emerge from the pool.

Even though there was no bonus point, the win was the third for Warren Gatland's Welsh team after having beaten Uruguay 54-9 and England 28-25.

With three wins from three starts, Wales now head the pool with 13 points – ahead of Australia (nine) and England (six), who play each other on Saturday.

Wales will be virtually guaranteed one of the two qualifying spots for the quarterfinals – along with Australia if the Wallabies beat England on Saturday.

But Fiji made it so hard for Wales at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium, the home side failing to convert overwhelming first-half domination of territory and possession into points.

The Pacific islanders rallied impressively at scrum-time and in the loose, capitalising on very poor out-of-hand kicking by Wales.

But Wales captain Sam Warburton savoured the exhausting win.

"That was so tough," said Wales captain Sam Warburton.

"The first half, I was knackered.

"But we have got three wins out of three. If someone had told us that at the start of the campaign we'd bite your hand off."

Wales scored two first-half tries, through Gareth Davies and Scott Baldwin.

Flyhalf Dan Biggar kicked two conversions and three penalties.

Ben Volavola kicked two penalties for Fiji after Wales' scrum infringements and despite losing influential scrumhalf Nikola Matawalu to injury and giant goal-kicking wing Nemani Nadolo to a ban, crossed for one try through Vereniki Goneva.

There was an electric start to the game, the Welsh camping out in the Fijian 22 metre area and both sides playing harum-scarum rugby to the delight of the 71,000 crowd.

The pressure paid off for Wales as scrum-half Davies dummied past Fiji captain Akapusi Qera to dart over from close range.

Biggar, who kicked 23 points in Wales' thrilling win over England, made no mistake with the conversion.

There were still concerns over Wales' scrum, penalised after an impressive Fijian shunt saw them retreating fast.

Volavola kicked the penalty, but missed a second effort. Biggar took Wales out to 10-3 with his first penalty as Morgan then skipped past a clutch of defenders only for Davies to ignore a simple two-on-one with the line beckoning.

Just after the half-hour mark, Baldwin crossed for Wales' second after Tyler Morgan drove for the line, Biggar kicking the extras.

Fiji remained potent on the break, however, a loose pass by Gethin Jenkins seized upon and sent wide to Asaeli Tikoirotuma who accelerated away, the attack snuffed out in desperate fashion.

Volavola, signed by the Crusaders as a replacement for departing All Blacks playmaker Dan Carter, hit his second three-pointer after the Welsh front row collapsed at a scrum on their own ball.

But the flyhalf fluffed a penalty seven minutes into the second period as Fiji pressed a ragged Welsh defence.

A minute later Alex Cuthbert almost intercepted, but Fiji countered, the fleet-footed Tikoirotuma breaking through some sloppy tackles in midfield, Leicester centre Goneva on hand to ride a double tackle by Davies and Cuthbert to cross the whitewash in a cauldron-like atmosphere in the Welsh capital.

Volavola hit the conversion, Biggar responding with a penalty to take Wales' lead out to seven points.

A poor Davies box kick was quickly recycled by Fiji, rampaging locks Leone Nakarawa and Tevita Cavubati linking well to take the game deep into Welsh territory.

Wales countered and Biggar settled home nerves with his third penalty to ensure there was no repeat of Fiji's sole defeat of Wales in 2007, which condemned the Welsh to an early exit from that World Cup.

Man of the match: Burly centres Vereniki Geneva and Lepani Botia asked plenty of questions of the Welsh defence. Flyhalf Ben Volavola had his moments of inspirational play, but also some occasions when he naivety shone through. Up front Akapusi Qera, Dominiko Waqaniburotu, Leone  and Tevita Cavubati lead the charge – those big forwards running and handling like slick backs. On attack Aseli Tikoirotuma was the hottest property on the field. The Fijian scrum, which repeatedly monstered the Welsh, also deserve a mention. Alex Cuthbert and George North also had their moments on attack. Dan Biggar was again deadly accurate with his kicking boot. Gareth Davies was not as good as against England, but still a valuable asset. Dan Lydiate and Alun Wyn Jones were again workhorses, while Ken Owens made a huge impact off the bench. Sam Warburton was the cement that kept his team together when the Fijian hammer threatened to break down the welsh wall. However, our award goes to veteran Wales centre Jamie Roberts, who put in some crucial, monster hits late in the game when the Fijians threatened to run riot.

Moment of the match: This goes to the Vereniki Goneva try in the 48th minute – when Asaeli Tikoirotuma, yet again, bust the line in a move that resulted in the score that closed the gap to a single score.

Villain of the match:  It wasn't nasty, but Campese Ma'afu theatrical, soccer-like fall in an attempt to milk a penalty late in the second half is the kind of antics that do NOT belong  in the game.

The scorers:

For Wales:

Tries: Davies, Baldwin

Cons: Biggar 2

Pens: Biggar 3

For Fiji:

Try: Goneva

Con: Volavola

Pens: Volavola 2

Teams:

Wales: 15 Matthew Morgan, 14 Alex Cuthbert, 13 Tyler Morgan, 12 Jamie Roberts, 11 George North, 10 Dan Biggar, 9 Gareth Davies, 8 Taulupe Faletau, 7 Sam Warburton (captain), 6 Dan Lydiate, 5  Alun Wyn Jones, 4 Bradley Davies, 3 Tomas Francis, 2 Scott Baldwin, 1 Gethin Jenkins

Replacements: 16 Ken Owens, 17 Aaron Jarvis, 18 Samson Lee, 19 Luke Charteris, 20 Justin Tipuric, 21 Lloyd Williams, 22 Rhys Priestland, 23 James Hook.

Fiji: 15 Metuisela Talebula, 14 Timoci Nagusa, 13 Vereniki Goneva, 12 Lepani Botia, 11 Aseli Tikoirotuma, 10 Ben Volavola, 9 Nemia Kenatale, 8 Netani Talei, 7 Akapusi Qera (Captain), 6 Dominiko Waqaniburotu, 5 Leone Nakarawa, 4 Tevita Cavubati, 3 Manasa Saulo, 2 Sunia Koto, 1 Campese Ma'afu.

Replacements: 16 Viliame Veikoso, 17 Peni Ravia, 18 Leeroy Atalifo, 19 Nemia Soqeta, 20 Malakai Ravulo, 21 Henry Seniloli, 22 Joshua Matavesi, 23 Kini Murimurivalu.

Referee: John Lacey (Ireland)

Assistant referees: Jérôme Garcès (France), Mathieu Raynal (France)

TMO: George Ayoub (Australia)

AFP & @rugby365com