Fiji surge to first victory in Cardiff as Wales’s losing run stretches to 10 Tests

Fiji had never beaten Wales in Cardiff but records are made to be broken. An impressive second-half performance, orchestrated by the fly-half Caleb Muntz and captain Waisea Nayacalevu, saw the Flying Fijians come away with a famous win in the Welsh capitaland continue the losing misery for Warren Gatland’s team.

Wales have not been defeated in 10 successive Tests since their losing streak of 2002 and 2003. It was a record Gatland’s team had wanted to avoid but instead Fiji avenged their narrow loss at the Rugby World Cup just over a year ago.

Not only was history made in the Fiji win but it also featured the first 20-minute red card in a northern hemisphere game. The Autumn Nations Series is trialling the law which sees teams able to replace the penalised player after they have been in the sin-bin for 20 minutes. The red card was given to Fiji’s Semi Radradra in the first half after a bunker review upgraded from a yellow following a dangerous tackle on Cam Winnett.

The first 40 was inconsistent from both sides with early attacking chances going begging. However, it was Wales who took their opportunity first when a slick fast paced move saw debutant Ben Murray score.

Winnett thought he had added another try but the TMO stepped in. A dangerous clearout from Tommy Reffell put him in the sin-bin and the try was ruled out. But then Fiji were reduced to 14 as Elia Canakaivata collapsed a maul and a penalty try was awarded to the hosts. It went from bad to worse for the visitors with star winger Radradra’s red coming next.

Fiji, however, were the next to score through a superb solo effort from Muntz. Fiji continued to hit the Welsh defensive wall and they thought they had punctured it with a penalty try but the decision was overturned and so Wales headed into half-time with a slim 14-10 lead.

Two penalties from Muntz edged Fiji ahead but while Wales toiled away in search of a try, their own sloppiness continually let them down. Knock-ons and wild passes stalled momentum and Wales’s inability to be clinical saw them punished with Fiji the next over the line through Josua Tuisova.

The loudest noise of the afternoon saw the Principality erupt as Ellis Bevan crashed over. A missed conversion from Gareth Anscombe kept Fiji ahead and Muntz extended the lead with yet another penalty.

The atmosphere in the stadium was electric as the clock ticked up to 80 minutes with Wales given a final chance to win the match but they could not convert to seal the win for Fiji. The autumn Tests do not get any easier for Wales who host Australia next weekend, while Fiji travel to Ireland.