Fiji player ratings vs Wales as they crushed Welsh hearts in their own back yard with a 24-19 victory at the Principality stadium.
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Fly half Caleb Muntz stole the show notching up 19-points off his own accord but the game was far from easy for the Flying Fijians who were held back by ill discipline in the first half which was most prevalent when Semi Radradra was initially shown yellow for a high hit on Cameron Winnett which was the upgraded to a red card.
Blaire Murray grabbed the hosts an initial try before Muntz replied with a penalty, Try and conversion of his own all in the space of fifteen minutes taking the half time score to 14-10 to Wales.
The game fell into Fijian hands come the second half as they moved further away from their hosts to claim a historic victory in the Welsh capital.
Scroll down for our Fiji player ratings vs Wales.
Wales: 19
- Tries: Blair Murray (07′),Penalty (19′) Ellis Bevan (65′)
- Cons: Gareth Anscombe(08′
- Pens:
Fiji: 24
- Tries: Caleb Muntz (23′), Josua Tuisova (59′)
- Cons: Caleb Muntz (24′)
- Pens: Caleb Muntz (11′, 42′, 48′,74′)
Fijian player ratings against Wales:
1.Eroni Mawi- 7
The Fijian pack were dynamic at scrum-time and Mawi had his part to play in those efforts. Worked well around the field and overall was solid.
2.Tevita Ikanivere-6
A more than strong defensive performance from Ikanivere highlighted just how much the visitors wanted that win. Lineouts were solid as well to cap off a lovely performance from the Fijian hooker.
3.Samu Tawake-6
Gave Wales a few headaches at the scrum and was powerful at the maul. Did his basic skills well enabling his side to have chances from the set piece.
4.Isoa Nasilasila-7
Both Fijian locks had a really strong game in Cardiff and looked industrious around the principality. Nasilasila was a nuisance in both defensive and offensive breakdowns frustrating the Welsh.
5.Temo Mayanavanau-6
Similar to his second row partner Mayanavanau gave himself a really strong account in Cardiff using his physicality to such good use.
6.Meli Derenalagi-8
The flanker probably owes the principality’s ground staff some apologies because he was everywhere today. Was a constant threat to Wales’s attack and defence and really just captured what that game meant to Fiji.
7.Kitione Salawa-6
A performance that complimented his flanker partner. Never really did anything that would grab headlines but just did his jobs and his basics to a good level.
8.Elia Canakaivata-6
Rounding off a solid back row and overall pack performance Canakaivata was really good in doing his basics. Was given a yellow card and rightfully so for collapsing a Welsh maul conceding a penalty try.
9.Frank Lomani-5
Seemed to be the only slight bad point from the Fijian performance in Cardiff. Lomani just didn’t seem switched on fully and made too many silly mistakes that could’ve cost Fiji.
10.Caleb Muntz-9
Wow. That is the only way Muntz game can be described. It was one of those matches that make you love watching rugby (unless you’re Welsh). Muntz ran the entire match and anything he seemed to touch just worked for him and his side.
11.Semi Radradra-3
For the time he was on the pitch he looked dangerous coming off his wing to slot in at first receiver looked like he could cause Wales some major headaches. That was before he was sent off for a downright pointless high hit on Cameron Winnett which was an initial yellow but after bunker review was upgraded to a red.
12.Jousua Tuisova-8
The big man in the midfield was his ever present self. He was used like a human battering ram at times and it’s fair to say it reaped it’s rewards. Despite a slow first half he came alive in the second half changing the course of the game for the visitors.
13.Waisea Nayacalevu(C)-8
The midfield pairing for the visitors were outstanding today they complimented their fly half’s solo efforts with some great showings of their own. He was a constant threat both with the ball and off of it. A real skippers performance which massively helped his side to victory.
14.Jiuta Wainiqolo-6
Didn’t look up to the pace of his other backlines members. struggled defensively and more often than not was coming off his wing too much which harmed Fiji’s attacking efforts.
15.Vuate Karawalevu-6
Similar to Wainiqolo just didn’t look up to scratch compared to his backline. Never made nay huge errors just lacked any real threat apart from his chalked off try.
Replacements
16.Sam Matavesi-7
Looked solid every since coming on. Scrummaged really well and looked threatening in open play with some powerful carries.
17.Haereiti Hetet-6
Had a decent performance when he came on nothing major to grab the headlines but did his job.
18.Jone Koroiduadua-6
Another performance that wasn’t a major difference but rather kept the energy higher deep into the second half.
19.Mesake Vocevoce-5
Came on with 40-minutes on the clock and really struggled to make any changes on the game but was solid in defence.
20.Albert Tuisue-6
Made solid impact both in his carries and defensive efforts just lacked many opportunities to impact the game further.
21.Simione Kuruvoli-6
Was solid when he came on yet brought some good energy to the game towards the later stages.
22.Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula- N/A
Came on with less than a minute to play would never have the chance to make an impact
23.Sireli Maqala-6
Made a good impact coming off the bench just lacked major opportunities.
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