Wales have come out 29-17 winners over Fiji this morning in their Rugby World Cup Pool D encounter in Japan which seals their place in the quarter-finals.
A hat-trick from winger Josh Adams and a late try from Liam Williams saw Wales pick up a bonus-point win against a resilient Fijian outfit.
The Fijians came flying out of the blocks and were in for their opening try of the game with just four minutes on the clock as they sent the ball out right to Josua Tuisova, who power through three defenders to touch down in the corner. Ben Volavola failed with the touchline kick but it was an incredible start by the men in white.
Things got worse for Wales on eight minutes as hooker Ken Owens was shown a yellow-card for a dangerous tackle and Fiji took full advantage.
By the tenth minute Fiji had their second try as full-back Kini Murimurivalu finished off some great play by bursting through a gap in the defensive line to score. However, Volavola again missed the extras.
Despite their impressive start Fiji began to lose control of the game and went down to 14-men themselves when Tevita Cavubati was sin-binned for a shoulder charge at ruck-time.
A minute later and Wales made their extra man count as Dan Biggar sent a cross-field kick to the left-hand side where Adams caught the ball and put the ball down. Biggar was perfect with the touchline kick to make it 10-7.
Ten minutes on and Fiji received their second yellow-card of the match as Semi Kunatani was sent to the sin-bin following a number of penalty concessions by his side.
Within two minutes Wales took the lead as the Welsh sent the ball out left to Adams, who got over for his second try. Biggar converted once again in what was the final score of the half as Wales went in 14-10 up at the whistle.
In the second-half it was Fiji who again started brighter and their cause was helped when James Davies was handed a yellow-card for not moving away at a ruck.
Fiji made the most of their one man advantage once more when they drove towards the Welsh line from a maul which was taken down, seeing them receive a penalty try and putting them 17-14 up.
A couple of minutes later and Biggar was taken off with a concussion in what is a big worry for Wales as they head further into the tournament.
However, his replacement Rhys Patchell made an instant impact as he hammered over a long-range penalty a minute after coming on to draw the sides level.
Just after the hour mark and Wales’ Jonathan Davies made a lovely break through the defence and racing into the left-corner before sending a brilliant offload to Adams, who dived, touched the ball down and completed his hat-trick. Patchell couldn’t provide the extras leaving it at 22-17.
Wales secured the win with ten minutes remaining as scrum-half Gareth Davies darted through the Fijian defence and then passing to Williams who put the ball down beside the posts. Patchell converted to put 12 points between the sides.
Fiji tried to grab another score but they couldn’t gather a score to seal a bonus-point as the game finished 29-17.
Wales will now look to end their pool stage with a 100% record when they take on Uruguay on Sunday, while for Fiji it is the end of a disappointing World Cup.
Wales Player Ratings
Starting XV:
Wyn Jones (7), Ken Owens (6), Tomas Francis (7), Jake Ball (7), Alun Wyn Jones (7), Josh Navidi (7), James Davies (6), Ross Moriarty (7), Gareth Davies (7), Dan Biggar (7), Josh Adams (9), Hadleigh Parkes (7), Jonathan Davies (8), George North (7), Liam Williams (8)
Replacements (7)
