In a thrilling and emotional match at the Principality Stadium, Fiji secured a famous 24-19 victory over Wales, continuing the hosts’ dreadful run of 10 consecutive Test match losses. This victory was particularly historic for Fiji, as it marked their first-ever win in Cardiff, a place where they had never triumphed before.

For Wales, this match represented another painful chapter in what has been a tough year for the national rugby team. It’s been over a year since Wales last won a Test match, and despite a promising start in this game, they were unable to hold onto their lead, allowing Fiji to fight back and clinch the win.

Wales’ Strong Start But Lack of Discipline

The match kicked off with a high tempo, and Wales seemed ready to end their losing streak. It didn’t take long for debutant Blair Murray to make an impact. Just eight minutes into the game, Murray scored his first international try after a brilliant passing move that saw Wales break through Fiji’s defense. The crowd was buzzing, and the team’s early momentum suggested that maybe, just maybe, they could finally break their unlucky streak.

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However, the game quickly became more chaotic. Wales’ discipline let them down, and Fiji was able to stay in the game despite a red card for their star winger Semi Radradra. The incident happened in the 21st minute when Radradra made a dangerous tackle on Wales full-back Cameron Winnett. Initially shown a yellow card, the decision was later upgraded to a 20-minute red card following a video review. This was the first time the new 20-minute red card rule was used in northern hemisphere rugby.

Even with one player down, Fiji stayed strong, and fly-half Caleb Muntz was at the heart of their resistance. Muntz kicked a penalty to close the gap before scoring a stunning solo try, evading five Wales defenders to get over the line. His individual effort brought the score to 14-10 in favor of Wales at halftime, despite the Welsh side enjoying a numerical advantage.

Turning Point in the Second Half

After halftime, Fiji were back to a full 15 players, and the match began to shift. Muntz continued to be the standout player for Fiji. He added another penalty early in the second half to bring Fiji within one point of Wales, and his kicking proved to be the difference as the game progressed.

Wales, on the other hand, couldn’t find a way to capitalize on their opportunities. They missed 32 tackles and made too many mistakes, with wild passes and knock-ons that disrupted their flow. This lack of clinical finishing meant that even when they had the chance to regain the lead, they could not make the most of it.

In the 60th minute, Fiji took the lead for the first time through a penalty from Muntz. But Wales didn’t give up and continued to fight. Ellis Bevan, coming on as a replacement, scored a try in the corner, bringing Wales back to within two points of the visitors. However, the missed conversion from Gareth Anscombe meant that Wales couldn’t tie the game.

Fiji’s response was quick, and Muntz slotted over yet another penalty to extend their lead. With time running out, Wales had one final opportunity to level the score, but a mistake by replacement hooker Ryan Elias led to a knock-on, and Fiji were able to close out the game.

A Disappointing Record for Wales

For Wales, this loss was their 10th straight defeat, matching the longest losing streak in the nation’s history. The team has now gone 401 days without a victory in a Test match, with their last win coming in a pool match against Georgia at the Rugby World Cup in October 2023. Since then, the losses have piled up, including defeats against Argentina in the World Cup quarter-finals, and in the Six Nations, where they finished last with the Wooden Spoon.

Wales now face another tough challenge next week as they prepare to take on Australia before meeting the world champions, South Africa. With the way things are going, there’s a real possibility that Wales could end 2024 without a single win in a calendar year—a feat they haven’t experienced since 1937, when they only played three games.

Fiji’s Historic Win and Muntz’s Masterclass

While Wales struggled, Fiji played with great determination, especially after the red card incident. Caleb Muntz was undoubtedly the hero for Fiji, scoring a brilliant solo try and kicking five penalties to finish with 19 points. His composure under pressure was remarkable, and he controlled the game with his boot.

Fiji’s victory was built on their resilience and ability to capitalize on Welsh mistakes. Despite being down to 14 men for much of the first half, they kept their heads and used their numerical disadvantage to rally. The try from Josua Tuisova, who broke through a tired Welsh defense to score, was the final nail in the coffin for the hosts.

For Fiji, this was a second-ever win against Wales, following their 2007 World Cup victory. It was a historic win not just because of the venue, but also because it gave them the confidence to continue challenging the world’s top teams.

What’s Next for Wales?

The loss to Fiji leaves Wales in a difficult situation. Coach Warren Gatland, who led the team through the 2023 World Cup, has come under increasing pressure, and his future will be the subject of much debate. The team’s inconsistency and lack of clinical finishing have been significant issues, and there’s a real concern that the current squad is struggling to find the form that once made them a dominant force in world rugby.

The next few weeks will be critical. With games against Australia and South Africa on the horizon, Wales need to find answers quickly if they are to avoid an even worse run of results. The fans are still behind the team, but patience is running thin, and they will want to see improvements soon.

Conclusion

Wales’ 24-19 loss to Fiji was another blow in what has been a tough year for Welsh rugby. Despite some early promise and a strong start from debutant Blair Murray, Wales could not hold on to their lead and were eventually outclassed by Fiji. Caleb Muntz’s exceptional performance, combined with Fiji’s resilience in the face of adversity, earned them their first-ever victory in Cardiff.

For Wales, the losing streak continues, and the pressure on coach Warren Gatland grows. As they look ahead to their upcoming fixtures, there is a lot of work to be done if they are to turn their fortunes around. Fiji, on the other hand, will be celebrating this historic win and looking forward to building on their success.