Fiji Defeat Extends Wales’ Losing Streak to Record 10 Matches

Fiji fly-half Caleb Muntz scored as many points (19) as WalesWales (14) 19Tries: Murray, Penalty try, Bevan Con: AnscombeFiji (10) 24Tries: Muntz, Tuisova Con: Muntz Pens: Muntz 4 Following Fiji’s victory in Cardiff, Warren Gatland’s Welsh team matched the national record for consecutive international Test losses, reaching 10 defeats in a row. Fiji’s fly-half, Caleb Muntz, contributed 19 points, helping the visiting side secure their inaugural win on Welsh soil. This achievement came despite wing Semi Radradra being issued a 20-minute red card in the first half for a dangerous tackle on full-back Cameron Winnett. The first half was marked by disciplinary issues, with French referee Luc Ramos also issuing yellow cards to Wales flanker Tommy Reffell and Fiji number eight Elia Canakaivata. Wales held a 14-10 advantage at halftime, courtesy of a try from debutant Blair Murray and a penalty try. However, Muntz countered with an impressive individual try. Muntz’s successful kicks and a try by centre Josua Tuisova extended Fiji’s lead. Later, substitute Ellis Bevan scored Wales’ third try, narrowing the point difference. A late kick from Muntz, combined with Wales failing to capitalize on a last-minute chance, extinguished any prospects of a comeback for the home team. This marks Wales’ poorest performance streak since 2003. Head coach Gatland had previously expressed a desire for a triumphant rather than a painful outcome this weekend, but this did not materialize, and his role is now expected to face examination. The current state of Welsh rugby, both within the sport and administratively, is in turmoil, as evidenced by the men’s national team’s performance record. Sunday marked 400 days since Gatland’s team last secured a Test victory, which occurred against Georgia in a World Cup pool match in Nantes in October 2023. Since then, the team has endured nine international defeats, including an exit from the World Cup quarter-finals against Argentina, a Six Nations Wooden Spoon, and summer losses to South Africa and Australia. This series of losses has brought the current Welsh squad to parity with the lowest record of 10 consecutive Test defeats, previously established in 2002 and 2003 under coach Steve Hansen. As Wales prepares to face a revitalized Australia next Sunday, followed by a match against world champions South Africa, Gatland’s team confronts the stark possibility of failing to win an international match within a calendar year, an occurrence not seen since 1937. In 1937, Wales played only three games, whereas they are scheduled for 11 international fixtures in 2024. For Fiji, this win was their second international triumph in 15 encounters against Wales, building on their World Cup victory in 2007. Wales missed 32 tackles, gave away 12 turnovers, and conceded 12 penalties. Despite achieving 18 successful line-outs, they were unable to secure a lead on the scoreboard. Blair Murray is among eight players from the Scarlets club included in Wales’ autumn squad. This match marked the first meeting between the two teams since their thrilling World Cup encounter in Bordeaux nearly 14 months prior, which Wales won 32-26. Radradra, Tuisova, Jiuta Wainiqolo, and captain Waisea Nayacalevu were part of a formidable Fijian backline, having been absent from the 57-17 loss to Scotland last weekend. Gatland’s team initiated the scoring with an astute attacking play, resulting in a memorable debut try for new wing Murray. The New Zealand-born back made his Test match debut having played only six games for the Scarlets since the commencement of the 2024-25 season. This represented a notable ascent for the 23-year-old, who developed through the New Zealand rugby system but was eligible for Wales due to his mother’s origin in Tonyrefail. Within just eight minutes, he had scored a Test try. A powerful midfield surge by returning centre Max Llewellyn created the opportunity, followed by skillful passing from Gareth Anscombe and Thomas, which set up Grady and Winnett, enabling Murray to score with Anscombe successfully converting. This play highlighted the advantages of employing two playmakers in the backline, with Anscombe back at fly-half and Thomas moving to inside centre from the number 10 position he held for Wales during the summer. The home side struggled to reproduce such plays consistently throughout the match. French referee Luc Ramos issued three yellow cards during the first half of the match in Cardiff. Fiji retaliated with a penalty kick from Muntz. Subsequently, Wales believed they had scored their second try via Winnett, but it was disallowed after flanker Reffell received a yellow card for a dangerous clearout that involved Radradra’s head in the preceding play. Wales responded by executing another driving maul, compelling Fiji to concede a penalty try and resulting in a yellow card for Canakaivata. Gatland was compelled to alter his backline due to Grady’s injury, which saw Scarlets fly-half Sam Costelow enter the game, playing out of his usual position on the wing. Wales had made a risky selection choice by including only two backs on the bench, neither of whom was a specialist centre or wing replacement. The numerical advantage was 14 against 13 when Radradra initially received a yellow card. However, Fiji responded to their disadvantage with an excellent individual converted try from Muntz, who eluded five Welsh defenders. Fiji was subsequently informed that Radradra’s yellow card had been upgraded to a 20-minute red card following a bunker review, marking Wales’ first participation in this World Rugby trial process. Nevertheless, Fiji seemed to have taken the lead with an attacking driving maul that resulted in a penalty try, but it was disallowed due to obstruction. Prior to this match, Fiji had only defeated Wales once, during the 2007 Rugby World Cup. The score was nullified, leaving Wales with a 14-10 lead at half-time. Fiji then returned to a full complement of 15 players with the introduction of Bayonne centre Sireli Maqala, who is the top try-scorer in France’s Top 14 league. Muntz narrowed the gap to a single point, after which Wales deployed four of their six forward substitutes simultaneously, including front-row players Nicky Smith, Ryan Elias, and Keiron Assiratti. Flanker Jac Morgan made a notable contribution upon replacing Reffell and assumed the captaincy after hooker Dewi Lake left the field. Muntz then put Fiji ahead for the first time with a penalty kick. Subsequently, Murray was prevented from scoring a second try when the preceding pass was ruled forward. Wales opted against attempting penalty kicks at goal, even though they were only two points behind. A subsequent backline reorganization saw Cardiff scrum-half Bevan replace Anscombe, taking a position on the wing, while Costelow moved to fly-half. Tuisova forcefully scored Fiji’s second try. Bevan then made an immediate impact by scoring in the right-hand corner, but Costelow failed to convert, missing the opportunity to equalize the scores. Fiji full-back Vuate Karawalevu seemingly secured the win, but a pass from Muntz was judged to be forward. Despite the try being disallowed, Muntz successfully kicked a penalty. Wales had a final chance, but when replacement hooker Elias dropped the ball in Fiji’s 22-meter area, the visiting team began their celebrations. Wales: Winnett; Grady, Llewellyn, B Thomas, Murray; Anscombe, T Williams; G Thomas, Lake (capt), Griffin, Rowlands, Beard, Plumtree, Reffell, Wainwright.Replacements: Elias, N Smith, Assiratti, Tshiunza, Botham, J Morgan, Bevan, Costelow.Sin-bin: Reffell 15Fiji: Karawalevu; Wainiqolo, Nayacalevu (capt), Tuisova, Radradra; Muntz, Lomani; Mawi, Ikanivere, Tawake, Nasilasila, Mayanavanua, Derenalagi, Salawa, Canakaivata.Replacements: Matavesi, Hetet, Koroiduadua, Vocevoce, Tuisue, Kuruvoli, Ravula, Maqala.Sin-bin: Canakaivata 18Red card: Radradra 21Referee: Luc Ramos (France)Assistant referees: Pierre Brousset (France), Hollie Davidson (Scotland)Television match official (TMO): Eric Gauzins.