Wales v Fiji LIVE: Rugby World Cup result and reaction as Wales cling on for victory in Bordeaux

Wales 32-26 Fiji: Wales cling on as Fiji fall short of dramatic comeback in Bordeaux

Wales wary ahead of Rugby World Cup

Wales put aside a disappointing year of results to hang on and edge Fiji 32-26 in a thriller on Sunday to give themselves every chance of advancing to the quarter-finals at the Rugby World Cup.

It might have only been their opening game in Pool C but the contest against the Fijians was seen as key to Wales’ hopes in the tournament in France offering them redemption after losing six of eight internationals in 2023, and breathing life into a beleaguered squad. Victory was almost stolen at the end by the Pacific islanders who were seeking to fight back from an 18-point deficit and could have completed an unlikely comeback but they knocked on with the tryline at their mercy.

Both teams scored four tries in a game full of line breaks, exciting running and bruising clashes that had the crowd on the edge of their seats, especially at the end as Fiji fought back from 32-14 down. Josh Adams, George North, Louis Rees-Zammit and Elliot Dee crossed over for Wales with Dan Biggar adding two penalties and three conversions while Waisea Nayacalevu, Lekima Tagitagivalu, Josua Tuisova and Mesake Doge were Fiji’s try scorers.

Relive all the action and the reaction from the Bordeaux below. Get all the Rugby World Cup odds and the latest tips and odds here:

Wales vs Fiji

• REPORT: Wales edge out Fiji in nerve-shredding World Cup thriller in Bordeaux
• FULL-TIME: Wales 32-26 Fiji
• TRY! Wales 32-26 Fiji, (Doge, 79 mins)
• TRY! Wales 32-21 Fiji, (Tuisova, 73 mins)
• TRY! Wales 32-14 Fiji, (Dee, 66 mins)
• TRY! Wales 25-14 Fiji, (Rees-Zammit, 48 mins)
• TRY! Wales 18-14 Fiji, (North, 29 mins)
• PENALTY! Wales 11-14 Fiji, (Biggar 24 mins)
• TRY! Wales 8-14 Fiji (Tagitagivalu, 18 mins)
• TRY! Wales 8-7 Fiji (Nayacalevu, 14 mins)
• TRY! WALES 8-0 FIJI (Adams, 8 mins)
• PENALTY! WALES 3-0 FIJI, (Biggar, 3 mins)

[10 September 2023 17:09 · Mike Jones]

Wales vs Fiji team news

Wales co-captain Dewi Lake doesn’t make the cut after recovering from a recent injury meaning Jac Morgan will lead the team on his own and Ryan Elias starts at hooker. Warren Gatland has named a dangerous-looking backline while Taulupe Faletau starts at No 8 despite missing all the warm-up games.

Fiji have named Teti Tela to start at fly half in the absence of the injured Caleb Muntz, who suffered a knee injury in training and was forced to withdraw from the squad. Muntz had been a talisman in recent games and the 32-year-old Tela will have a big task to match his impact.

The centre pairing of Semi Radradra and captain Waisea Nayacalevu will pose a serious test to the Welsh midfield, while the experienced Frank Lomani starts at scrum half and winger Selestino Ravutaumada will hope to reprise the electric running that took England apart in Fiji’s maiden victory over them last month.

[10 September 2023 17:00 · Mike Jones]

How to watch Wales vs Fiji?

Wales vs Fiji is due to kick off at 8pm BST on Sunday 10 September at the Stade de Bordeaux.

Viewers in the United Kingdom can watch the Rugby World Cup on ITV 1, with coverage on the channel starting from 7.15 pm. The match is also available to online for free via the ITV X website and app.

[9 September 2023 17:54 · Sonia Twigg]

Wales on alert to Fiji threat

Wales have been put on alert to expect “lightning bolts” in their Rugby World Cup opener against Fiji on Sunday.

It is the fifth-successive tournament for Wales and Fiji to meet, with Warren Gatland’s team on a run of three-consecutive wins.

Fiji, though, dumped Wales out of the 2007 World Cup following a thrilling clash in Nantes, while four years ago they led by 10 points before Wales recovered to prevail 29-17.

Fiji have improved their set-piece play considerably under head coach Simon Raiwalui, a dazzling running and off-loading game remains central to their outlook.