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Hello and welcome to ESPN's live coverage of the Pool A clash between Wales and Fiji.
Warren Gatland's men will be wanting to carry on their momentum from their win over England at the weekend with another victory in front of a home crowd here. Fiji, without their star man Nadolo due to suspension, still have something to play for with 3rd place and automatic qualification for the next World Cup still up for grabs.
Be sure to check out ESPN's preview of the encounter produced by Rob Bartlett (@RobBartlettESPN). Click HERE for that.
Also, follow our man at the Millennium, Sam Bruce (@SamBruce86), who'll be supplying us with first hand insights straight from the ground.
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| 1 |
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Wales, in their black kit today, kick off in Cardiff.
What a start from Wales and in partiulcar George North. The winger makes an electric run towards the try line before being eventually taken down deep in the Fiji 22.
Wales showing they're up for up for this just seconds into the match!
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| 2 |
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Wales lineout results into a rolling maul, still deep in the Fiji territory. Eventually finds its way to Dan Biggar whose cross field kick falls into Fiji hands.
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| 3 |
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Wales lineout again from the left flank near the Fiji line. Rolling maul and the Welsh pack are pushing for that first try but just about being kept out by the Pacific Islanders. Wales showing no sign of England hangover here.
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| 5 |
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Fiji's No.13 Goneva intercepts and darts forward, nearing the half way, finally releasing the pressure for his team. But, Wales soon have the ball again and approach the Fiji try line with real urgency.
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| 6 |
5 - 0 |
What is going on here! Some real risky passing from Fiji who try to run it out from their 5 metre mark, rather than kick and just escape the incoming danger from Wales. Eventually, a Wales scrum but deep in Fiji's 22.
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| 7 |
7 - 0 |
Well, how long can Fiji hold out?
Not very long. The classic commentators curse. The Welsh scrum pays dividends as they battle their way eventually over the line. It has been coming it must be said.
Gareth Davies really making a name for himself with another try inbetween the sticks here. He dummies and then pushes away Qera before securing the first five points of the game.
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| 9 |
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For the real first time in the match, the ball isn't within the Fiji 22.
We've got a scrum on the half way, with Wales to feed...
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| 10 |
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Some real big hits flying in as the ball fails to really escape the midfield. This game has got real urgency about it. Wales may have been the most imposing so far, but the Pacific Islanders are more than up for it.
Volavola kicks the ball down into Welsh terrority, which is then returned in similar fashion by Matthew Morgan.
...and we're back in the midfield.
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| 12 |
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After a brief stoppage for Bradley Davies' nosebleed - who is eventually subbed - Fiji win the scrum and rack up their first three points courtesy of Volavola's boot after being awarded the penalty. A good kick.
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| 13 |
7 - 3 |
Volavola - penalty goal
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| 15 |
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Another Fiji penalty on the half way, not within kicking distance though, but Volavola puts out for the lineout. Pretty good kick and has gained Fiji some considerable yardage here.
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| 16 |
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Wales concede the penalty after Faletau is penalised in the lineout. Volavola to line up for a further three...
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| 17 |
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Misses! Let off for Wales there. Get the feeling Fiji just have to be taking chances like those if they want to genuinely challenge for victory here.
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| 19 |
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Wales have a penalty on the half way.
Gareth Davies takes a quick kick to begin with and bursts away from Fiji on the half way, but they're just about bailed out by Volavola. However, Fiji still concede the penalty. Easy three for Biggar, but could easily have been a try.
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| 20 |
10 - 3 |
Biggar - penalty goal
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| 21 |
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| 22 |
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Fiji in possession and the Welsh intensity have faded.
WHAT DEFENCE FROM FIJI! Where has that come from? After some real Fijian threat, the Welsh steal in their 22 and Gareth Davies is once again pulling the strings in the Welsh attack with venomous pace.
Matthew Morgan lead the initial charge before offloading to Gareth Davies on the half way, who then again offloads to Faletau. Great last ditch tackle from Botia in their 22, but Wales definitely should've have been a try there!
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Wales lineout in the Fiji 22 on the left flank...
Wales batter there way a few yards forward via the rolling maul but Fiji drag it to the deck. Wales grabbing hold of the match once more after a brief spell of less intensity.
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| 27 |
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Warburton drives head first for the try line, but is cut short...
Jamie Roberts has a go to before North thinks he sealed the try in the corner...
TMO time!
Ruled out for foul play and Fiji remain seven points adrift. Volavola kicks their penalty out for the lineout.
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| 30 |
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Fiji starting to push up as they properly taking control of the ball again. Back and forth stuff here. Wales attack, Fiji attack...
Bit of back and forth again before Volavola kicks out. Wales lineout just inside the Fiji half.
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| 31 |
15 - 3 |
Baldwin - try
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| 32 |
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Fiji line is full of gaps. Look like a genuine threat when attacking but look extremely vulnerable when incoming Welsh bodies approach their try line.
TRY! We're off to the TMO after Wales find yet another break through in the Fiji line. This time Scott Baldwin grounds the ball....
...and it's been GIVEN!
Jamie Roberts off loads initially from the break down on the half way, before the ball works it way down the Welsh line on the left eventually finding Baldwin who bundles the ball over amidst a large number of Fiji players piling on top of him.
Wales half way to a bonus point!
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| 33 |
17 - 3 |
Biggar - conversion
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| 35 |
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Wales stretched almost to the limit as Dan Lydiate knocks on at the turn over into Fiji hands. The Pacific Islanders almost punish the Welsh forward for his poor handling as Tikoirotuma is at the fore of the Fijian attack. He's just about taken down on the edge of the Wales 22, a good 40 metres from where he started his initial ball carry.
Fiji scrum!
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| 36 |
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Wales penalised for collapsing the scrum and Volavola has a fairly straight forward kick...
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| 37 |
17 - 6 |
It's there! Fiji's fly-half makes amends for his previously poor kick and adds the extra three! Really needed that, they've been under tremendous pressure the past 10 minutes or so.
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| 39 |
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Wales penalty just before the half time, and Biggar opts to kick out for the lineout. Last Welsh chance for an extra try before the break...
Lineout leads to the rolling maul which struggles to bombard its way through the Fijian pack to begin with but eventual find a few metres down the right flank.
They keep pushing and pushing, slowly but surely...
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| 40 |
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Not quite! Half time whistle is eventually blown as play breaks down in the Fiji 22. Slight let off for the Pacific Islanders you feel.
Thunderous first half from both sides. Wales showing no signs of any hangover from their England victory while Fiji still look a threat. Be suprised if they didn't cross the try line themselves in the second half, however, their defence is starting to look spaced out and vulnerable. George North especially seems to be having a lot of joy in finding gaps alongside Gareth Davies.
First half analysis to come...
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| 40+1 |
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Here's what ESPN's man on the ground Sam Bruce (@SamBruce86) had to say...
"Wales are on the way to a third straight Rugby World Cup victory and a step closer to a place in the quarter-finals after a rugged first half against Fiji at the Millennium Stadium. A line-break from George North inside the opening minute set the tone for what has been an open affair, Warren Gatland's side picking up tries through half-back Gareth Davies and hooker Scott Baldwin. Both five-pointers came from close range after some fine lead-up work, the hands that put Alun Wyn Jones into space for Baldwin's try among the finer moments of the half. Fiji have stayed in touch through the boot of Ben Volavola but will need to add a try soon after the break if they're to stay in touch with Gatland's men."
Fact of the half:
Wales only made ONE handling error all half, which was Dan Lydiate's a few minutes before half time which Fiji nearly capitalised on.
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| 40 |
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Fiji get us back underway...
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| 41 |
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Much calmer first minute or two to begin with as opposed to first half.
Most notable moment of play is Jamie Roberts little chip, who then attempts to run onto it, but is instead collected by Fiji's fullback.
We now have a Wales scrum on the half way...
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| 42 |
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Wales lineout on the half way, too. Results in a rolling maul with Wales very much in control.
Gatland's men eventual call on kicking to gain some yardage as the maul proves unrewarding this time.
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| 43 |
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Fiji penalty as Alun Wyn Jones fails to roll away. Not in dangerous territory but Volavola kicks out down field for the lineout. This could prove dangerous, however.
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| 45 |
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Fiji looking dangerous again and this is exactly what they want - very open.
Warburton is penalised for a deliberate knock on and Fiji have the penalty after Tikoirotuma proves dangerous again as he navigates his way through a number of Welsh bodies in the centre.
Volavola lines up the three points...
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| 46 |
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...misses. Fiji would be six points within Wales' 17 if Volavola's kicking was on form.
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| 47 |
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FIJI TRY!
Cuthbert thinks he's intercepted the Fiji pass but he fumbles it and Fiji make it pay!
In similar style to their previous attack, they work it left to right and pass the try line with the ball in Goneva's hands! Brute pace from the Fiji attack and Wales are at risk of letting this slip into a game similar to how 7's is played - very open and fast! They need to take control again.
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17 - 11 |
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| 49 |
17 - 13 |
Volavola - conversion
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| 50 |
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Fiji lineout in their 22, but Wales regain possession but so far, have made nothing of it...
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| 52 |
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Volavola kicks down field as Wales start to mount the pressure again, but unlike the first half, Gatland's side aren't finding it as easy to find the break through they're after.
However, Wales have a penalty after Fiji No.7 is penalised for not supporting his body weight. Tough call to be fair. Controversial.
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| 53 |
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Biggar lines up...
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| 54 |
20 - 13 |
and makes it!
Still, Fiji are one converted try away from the Welsh score.
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| 55 |
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Wales lineout on half way as Fiji's passing makes its way out the field on the left. Poor from Fiji.
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| 57 |
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Morgan's caught in his 22 but Fiji are penalised.
Let off for Morgan there. Likes to take on opponents with ball in hand but should've offloaded before.
Wales kick out for another lineout, which is on half way...
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| 58 |
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Fiji lineout, they collect and Kenatale offloads down the line on his right.
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| 59 |
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After a scrappy passage of play, Nakawara looks to punish Wales down the left flank as English fans move closer to the edge of their seats as he closes in on the try line before being taken down in the Welsh 22.
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| 60 |
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Another Fiji lineout, but Wales push out quicker and what looked like some decent Fiji ground, has resulted in some more play along the half way. Not much coming from either sides at the moment but Fiji looking the more likely.
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| 61 |
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So far in this half, Fiji have carried 218 metres, while Wales have carried just 128 metres!
Scrum results in more Fiji offensive progress. Faletau really not having an easy ride from Talei in this game! Welsh line full of gaps as Fiji seem to be cutting them apart at will.
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| 65 |
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We finally restart with the Welsh lineout, but Fiji are penalised, with Biggar kicking into the Fiji territory to finally get out of their own space.
Wales making it play, but Ken Owens just about steps into touch very near the try line nad Fiji are let off. Fiji lineout...
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| 66 |
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Heat is on Fiji now as Wales start to dictate play again. We are five metres from another Wales try here but Fiji have possession.
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| 67 |
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Volavola kicks it in attempt to release the opposition pressure but it's shut down really well by Roberts! Big chance here for Wales again!
Wales scrum upcoming, but you can't help but fancy Fiji to find some luck after what we've seen so far...
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| 68 |
23 - 13 |
...and they do as Kenatale leaps onto the ball as it escapes behind the Welsh pack, but a penalty is eventually given on the Fiji 22. Biggar to take.
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| 69 |
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Obviously, he doesn't miss. Three more for Wales.
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| 70 |
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| 71 |
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Wales work it well left to right along the half way, before Morgan's offload to North makes it way out into touch on the right flank. Unlucky.
Fiji lineout after some brief subs...
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| 72 |
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Ravulo collects and makes a darting semi circular run before being hacked down.
We continue as both sides tackle along the half way, with Fiji in possession.
Fiji have claimed a penalty and Volavola kicks down for the lineout.
Dan Biggar comes off with what looks like cramp. Priestland on.
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| 73 |
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Fiji's lineout results in the rolling maul, and the Fijian fowards work well, but the Islanders eventually knock on into Welsh hands before they decide to kick and chase down field.
Game increasing in intensity as we approach the end, as Wales now in attack but still a safe position from Fiji's try line,
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| 74 |
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Fiji concede the penalty and kick out for the lineout. Arguably is within kicking distance but Wales obviously want the bonus point.
Wales lineout in Fiji's 22.
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| 75 |
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Rolling maul and a huge tackle on Davies as he drives towards the try. He's kept out though, and Wales reassess how they're going to make the try...
AND THEY LOOK LIKE THEY MAY HAVE ONE! We're off to the TMO...
Davies looks to have his second but is tackled just short of the line by Talei. The TMO assessed whether the scrum half's slide was enough but it wasn't given as the TMO found a Fiji hand in between the ball and ground, blocking the Welsh try.
IT IS NOT GIVEN!
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| 76 |
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Wales have the scrum, but eventually knock on once they emerge with the ball, and Fiji kick upfield rather than try to run it out of their 22.
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| 78 |
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Huge, huge double tackle on Jamie Roberts as the Welsh centre darts down the left flank in a desperate attempt to try and somehow find the bonus point. Fiji's No.7 and 18 literally sandwich Roberts - that must've hurt...
And after a scrappy period of the play in the centre, the ball is now set for a Fiji scrum.
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| 79 |
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Wales continue to battle, it's looking like their last chance for the try to match Australia's three against Fiji.
Alun Wyn Jones and Tipuric battle away down the right but still are kept out.
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| 80 |
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Fiji penalty in their 22! They look to run it in seek of their own losing bonus point rather than kick, but Wales are continuing to commit bodies and are doing well at keeping them pinned back still. Huge effort from both teams at the death, but it's looking more and more likely no extra points will avail for either side.
IT'S OVER!
Full time analysis to come from ESPN's Sam Bruce in just a few moments...
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| 80+1 |
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ESPN's man at the ground Sam Bruce (@SamBruce86) had this to say:
"Wales have one foot in the quarter-final door of the Rugby World Cup but only after they were forced to endure a gutsy 80-minute test from Fiji. Warren Gatland's men seemed to be on their way to a bonus-point win at 17-6 up at the break following first-half tries from Gareth Davies and Scott Baldwin, but they were sucked in to playing a free-flowing off-the-cuff style of game which suited the Pacific Islanders to a tee for much of the second half. Turnover ball was kicked, passes were pushed and when Vereniki Goneva finished off a long-range counter for Fiji, the result was very much up for grabs. But Wales were able to steady through two Dan Biggar penalties and while the Fijians kept coming, their mistakes and repeated breakdown infringements allowed Gatland's side to hold on for the win. They will now await the result of Saturday night's clash between Australia and England to find out exactly what they have to do at Twickenham next weekend."
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Match report can be read HERE.
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