Wales player ratings vs Fiji as Warren Gatland’s men kicked off their Autumn Nations Series against the Pacific Islanders in Cardiff.
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Warren Gatland’s Wales have hit a new low, matching the country’s record for consecutive Test losses with a dismal 10-match streak after being defeated by Fiji in Cardiff.
Despite a heroic 19-point performance from Fiji fly-half Caleb Muntz, which led them to their first-ever victory in Wales, the match was far from smooth sailing. Fiji wing Semi Radradra’s first-half red card, a dangerous tackle on Wales’ Cameron Winnett, left the visitors a man down for 20 minutes, but they held their ground.
The first half was an undisciplined affair, with French referee Luc Ramos showing yellow cards to both Wales flanker Tommy Reffell and Fiji number eight Elia Canakaivata. Wales went into the break ahead 14-10, thanks to a try from debutant Blair Murray and a penalty try, but Muntz responded with a brilliant solo effort to bring Fiji back into the game.
As Muntz added further points with his boot and a try from centre Joshua Tuisova, Wales found themselves scrambling. Ellis Bevan’s late try kept the home side in it, but a final kick from Muntz sealed the deal, leaving Wales to rue missed opportunities.
Scroll down for our Wales player ratings vs Fiji.
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′)
Wales player ratings vs Fiji:
1. Gareth Thomas – 6
A very under the radar performance from Thomas never really changed the game massively but also was solid for Wales in their best moments from the driving maul. Held his side of the scrum perfectly and was well utilised around the field
2. Dewi Lake (captain) – 7
A solid performance from the Welsh skipper. Squeaky clean at the line out giving Wales a much needed platform to play from. Carried well around the field and an overall well rounded 45 minutes for Lake.
3. Archie Griffin – 6
Another substitution made after 45 minutes the young prop coped well up against a mighty task at scrum time. Was solid around the field both in attack and defence gave a really good account for himself.
4. Will Rowlands – 5
Rowlands never looked up to speed before coming off. Some of his carries and all-round energy on the field just felt sluggish which left him never making a mark on the game and almost just going through the motions off the match.
https://static.smartframe.io/embed.js5. Adam Beard – 6
Beard was solid at the line out both attacking and defensively as usual. Never really made any other impact around the field and fell into the background outside of set pieces.
6. Taine Plumtree – 6
A solid showing from Plumtree looked busy and hungry for action. Constantly being at the centre of the ball whether it was carrying or defending the Scarlets flanker carried himself through the match well.
7. Tommy Reffell – 5
A clumsy yellow card costing Wales a try in the first half and cutting his playing minutes short. Was his usual formidable self at the ruck but the yellow card hampered any impact he could have on the game.
8. Aaron Wainwright – 6
A few question marks were raised when Wainwright made the selection following a long break with a hamstring injury and today just showed the Dragons’ number 8 lacking some match sharpness. Carried well and was strong defensively but was far from his usual self.
9. Tomos Williams – 7
Along with his half back partner Williams showed his experience to give Wales some great tempo to their play and kept their attack on the front foot. All round was excellent with both his kicking and passing being spot on. Never really lit up the match but did his basics to a very high standard.
10. Gareth Anscombe – 7
Arguably one of best players on the pitch. His kicking game was pin point both off the tee and kicking for the line out gave Wales some more room to work with in attack. Gave Wales some much needed experience in just orchestrating the game from fly half.
11. Blair Murray – 7
A very promising performance from Murray who looked lively off the left wing. A few occasions he would come off his wing looking for work and overall just looked really positive in attack.
12. Ben Thomas – 6
Not the best of showings from Thomas who was full of promise for Welsh fans coming into the match. He played a really big part in Murray’s try with some great handling but the same skillset let him down on a few occasions with some silly mistakes creeping in.
13. Max Llewellyn – 6
An okay performance is the only way Llewellyn’s performance can be described as. Some good carries in the midfield putting Wales on the front foot but other than that just going a bit into the shadows of the game.
14. Mason Grady – 6
Only played 17 minutes before going off injured. For the time he was on the field he carried well and used his pace and size to gain his side some hard needed yards. Never really had the chance to do anything further with limited touches before going off injured.
15. Cameron Winnett – 8
Winnett looked really good in attack picking a great line for his try which was ruled out through no fault of his own. He set up Murray’s try by holding the last man to give the debutant an easier run in. Some of his attacking kicks were such a good option which gave Wales variance to their attack. In defence he was solid and looked so comfortable under the high ball against a monstrous Fijian side.
Replacements
16. Ryan Elias – 5
45 minutes for Elias who struggled to keep the tempo matched with his hooker teammate of Lake. A really silly mistake in the last play to knock the ball on when Wales had a golden chance to score sums ups the match for Wales.
17. Nicky Smith – 5
Again the replacement front row arguably made no sense from Gatland because the three replacements looked way off their starting front row. Smith just seemed to lack aggression and physicality which is the last thing Wales need against a side like Fiji.
18. Keiron Assiratti – 5
Another one of the strange 45 minute change and just lacked any sort of impact on the game. Held his own at scrum time but went missing outside of that.
19. Christ Tshiunza – 5
shiunza is such an exciting player it seems for Wales fans but it just never seems to click for him. The form between club and country just don’t align and he is prone to be less than impactful
20. James Botham – 6
A strong start to the season from Botham for Cardiff and he looked promising but again just didn’t really turn up which was a common theme from the Welsh pack today.
21. Jac Morgan – 7
Arguably the only change that made an impact. Many questioned why he wasn’t selected for the starting XV and to be fair to Morgan I think he proved those questions right. His carrying and defensive efforts looked like a man who wanted back his starting place.
22. Ellis Bevan – 6
Scored with his first touch of the match and really came on as the game well away for Wales so was a very difficult ask for Bevan to change the game by himself but looked promising.
23. Sam Costelow -6
Came on for Grady on the wing which highlighted a tactical issue for Wales and Gatland for a fly half to play near enough 40-minutes plus on the wing just doesn’t work and it showed. Did well giving his circumstances bit again nothing to write home about
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