Fiji achieve a small feat in Cardiff. Dominant throughout the second half, the Fijians overthrew Wales in Cardiff (19-24). Reduced to 14 for 20 minutes following Semi Radradra’s red card, the Flying Fijians were able to count on a gala Caleb Muntz. The Welsh are sinking a little deeper into their crisis.
Fiji confirms the domination of the South on this November tour. In Cardiff, the Fijians dominated Wales 19-24, in the wake of a great Caleb Muntz, author of fourteen points for his team.
However, like England – Australia the day before, everything started well for the country in the Northern Hemisphere. After eight minutes of play, the Welsh deployed their game and found Blair Murray on the wing. The pocket winger accelerates and drops everyone in his lane to score the first try of the game (7-0, 8th). If the Fijian Drua opener quickly opened the Pacific men’s counter thanks to a penalty, this will not turn the tide of the game.
Tommy Reffell’s partners thought about doubling the score at the end of the first quarter of an hour, but the flanker was guilty of violent head-shoulder contact while clearing Radradra and was logically punished with a yellow card. But it’s only a postponement. Five minutes later, following a devastating carried ball, Elia Canakaivata committed a gross foul which left Luc Ramos, the French referee of the match, no other choice than to go between the poles and sanction the third Fijian line with a yellow card (14-3, 19th).
Radradra, first victim of the 20-minute red card on this tour
The nightmarish start to the Fijian match even reached a new stage when Semi Radradra, positioned on the wing, violently tackled Cam Winnet, with a shoulder header that went unchallenged. The Lyonnais forces the French referee to already show his third card of the afternoon. This will be transformed into red by the bunker. But this temporary exclusion will transcend the Flying Fijians.
Especially one man in particular to be exact. At 13 against 14, Caleb Muntz will take the entire Welsh defense from behind, finding a gap at 40 meters and then escaping never to be seen again. Transforming his own achievement, he completely revived his country (14-10, 24th).
A one-way second period
The score will remain unchanged until the break, the fault of a refused try for the Fijians. Returning with much better intentions, and finally disciplined, Mick Byrne’s men will take the lead thanks to the boot of the flyhalf (14-16, 49th). Above all, they will be able to count on the power of Josua Tuisova, placed as first center, who will score a try following a beautiful movement from the Islanders, completely forgetting Jiuta Wainiqolo alone on his wing (14-21, 61st ).
For pride, Ellis Bevan will allow the Leek XV to believe in a possible comeback and bring his team to two small points (19-21, 66th). But the difference in level in this second half was such that the Flying Fijians never really trembled. Without however being particularly comfortable in maintaining their meager advantage, the Fijians will seal their success thanks to a final achievement from Karawalevu in the corner (19-24, 74th).
This new defeat pushes Warren Gatland’s men a little deeper into a crisis. Lacking victories, Wales must challenge a confident Australia next week after their historic success at Twickenham. Fiji, after a match against Spain, will travel to Ireland to close this tour.
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