Wales held to 16-16 draw by Fiji at Millennium Stadium in Cardiff

[travelling_gerry]

Wales held to 16-16 draw by Fiji at Millennium Stadium in Cardiff

• From correspondents in Cardiff, Wales
• AFP
• November 20, 2010 9:29AM

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Wales have slumped to a 16-all draw against Fiji at the Millennium Stadium to extend their winless streak to six games.

A penalty try awarded after just before the hour mark looked to have proved the difference and Wales looked set to claim a much-needed triumph.
But Seremaia Bai landed an injury-time penalty to clinch a draw at the death and leave Wales' autumn campaign in tatters after three losses and the visit of New Zealand in a week.
Dan Biggar landed the first points of the game with a well-struck penalty just moments after Bai hit the post with an early shot at goal. Biggar added a second on 22 minutes before Josh Matavesi responded, with Bai in the sin-bin for an earlier dangerous tackle.
Wales were the first to threaten with a try when Hook and Bishop combined to put Brew into space. But the powerful wing was tackled just before he could return the ball to Hook to score.
But the South Sea islanders were the first to touch-down thanks to Albert Vulivuli.
Sisa Koyamaibole, who caused Wales so many problems at 2007 Rugby World Cup, made the initial break off the back of a line-out.


The big no.8 was eventually hauled down by last week's hero George North and Biggar but the ball was recycled and spread wide to the centre who crashed through Hook to score. Bai converted to give the visitors a 13-6 lead.
The scores remained the same for ten minutes before Wales coach Warren Gatland introduced Bradley Davies, Mike Phillips, Stephen Jones and Tom Shanklin.
They had an almost immediate impact when Lee Byrne looked to have scored. Wales went through several phases attacking the Fijian line before the ball was spread to Byrne. He ignored the unmarked North outside him and looked to have scored only to be denied by television match official.
Wales showed their power in the resulting scrum and were awarded a penalty try on 58 minutes after nine scrum resets.
Jones added the extras from in front of the posts to pull his side level at 13-all and just minutes later he gave Wales the lead with a simple penalty. But Bai struck with the final kick of the game to earn a draw for the visitors.


http://www.foxsports.com.au/rugby/wa...-1225957063881

[jazza93]

I hope Fox are replaying it during the week, i've got to see this!

[The EnForcer]

Replay on now....Welsh getting beasted by Fiji......so far they look like they were lucky to come out with a draw.

[jazza93]

Fiji are dominating the ruck. If you don't starve Fiji of possession the game becomes a lot tougher to win. Fiji's defense is great as well, Wales simply look like they just didn't do any research on Fiji and have no idea how to break their defense.

[The EnForcer]

Too many mistakes and stupid decisions basically, but well done to Fiji they really took it to them!

[James]

Wales must be bricking it for next year's world cup.

I'm pretty sure both Fiji and Samoa are in their pool. Mind you they came exceedingly close to beating South Africa last weekend.

[oxleymoron]

Given that they lost to fiji in their pool at the last RWC and didn't make it out of the group.

[James]

That is probably good news for us. Unless something awful like Wales beating South Africa and Fiji or Samoa topping the pool on bonus points, it means we might only have to play Fiji or Samoa in the quarter finals. Although you probably want to play a game to harden yourself up for the semis. We wouldn't want to go into to France or England undercooked.