Wales v Fiji, 1 October

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WALES v FIJI
1 October 2015
KO: 16:45
Millennium Stadium, Cardiff

Live on [tbc]

Referee: John Lacey (Ireland)
Touch judges: Jérôme Garcès (France) & Mathieu Raynal (France)
Television match official: George Ayoub (Australia)

A. Head to Head

10 Played 10
8 Won 1
1 Drawn 1
1 Lost 8
306 Points 132

B. Recent Form

15 November 2014
Millennium Stadium, Cardiff
17 – 13 to Wales

2 October 2011
Waikato Stadium, Hamilton, New Zealand
66 – 0 to Wales

19 November 2010
Millennium Stadium, Cardiff
16 – 16 Draw

29 September 2007
Stade de la Beaujoire, Nantes, France
34 – 38 to Fiji

11 November 2005
Millennium Stadium, Cardiff
11 – 10 to Wales

9 November 2002
Millennium Stadium, Cardiff
58 – 14 to Wales

C. Teams

WALES

Matthew Morgan, Alex Cuthbert, Tyler Morgan, Jamie Roberts, George North, Dan Biggar, Gareth Davies; Taulupe Faletau, Sam Warburton (captain), Dan Lydiate, Alun-Wyn Jones, Bradley Davies, Tomas Francis, Scott Baldwin, Gethin Jenkins.

Reserves: Ken Owens, Aaron Jarvis, Samson Lee, Luke Charteris, Justin Tipuric, Lloyd Williams, Rhys Priestland, James Hook.

FIJI

Metuisela Talebula, Timoci Nagusa, Vereniki Goneva, Lepani Botia, Asaeli Tikoirotuma, Ben Volavola, Nemia Kenatale; Netani Talei, Akapusi Qera (captain), Dominiko Waqaniburotu, Leone Nakarawa, Tevita Cavubati, Manasa Saulo, Sunia Koto, Campese Ma'afu.

Reserves: Viliame Veikoso, Peni Ravia, Leeroy Atalifo, Nemia Soqeta, Malakai Ravulo, Henry Seniloli, Joshua Matavesi, Kini Murimurivalu.

hugehandoff wrote:And please do try and not disturb the Fijians sleep tonight. Those Cardiff lot can be quite noisy at times.

Come on Fiji!!!  

And no repeatedly sounding very loud car horns at some ungodly hour when driving past the Hilton coz I understand that's where the ABs are staying in preparation for Friday's game against Georgia. The Hilton hotel is opposite Cardiff castle btw.
Beep-beep, beep-beep yeah!

Planet rugby have predicted Wales to win by ten

maestegmafia wrote:

Comfort wrote:I like the pack, they'll go well, big and confrontational and 3/5 of the back 5 have good hands/intelligence).

Couple of things I'm most nervous about are:

-Scrums
We got beaten repeaqtedly against England, Marler boring in or not, we simply need to gain parity here. Parity will suffice.

-The Morgans
Matthew is tiny and I honestly fear for him the first tackle he has to make 1 on 1 if we use him defnesively as we use Halfpenny
Tyler is young, and seemed all at sea in his last game against Ireland, Fiji are a different challenge but he didnt look aready at all (although I appreciate Gatland is using the next in line in the injured positions and commend him for that).

Also, any ideas why Anscombe's not on the bench for Hook?  I feel Anscombe has something that could shine at test level, we've seen the best of what Hook has to offer and its been a long time since he delivered any of it...

Bit gutted Nadolo's out, hes been rubbish tbh and hasnt compliemnted the rest of Fijis backline. Volavola has looked dangerous ball in hand and with a more rounded scrumhalf and icisive threats on the wings could be more dangerous than we've seen so far.....

Jury's out but I'm pretty sure there'll be a Wales win, getting 4 tries will be the question mark....

Anscombe is still not fit.

It's crazy calling someone up who isn't fit though, even if there not much left in cupboard.

maestegmafia wrote:Planet rugby have predicted Wales to win by ten

My mum reckons by 11.

Cardiff Dave wrote:

maestegmafia wrote:Planet rugby have predicted Wales to win by ten

My mum reckons by 11.

Sounds better to me

bedfordwelsh wrote:

maestegmafia wrote:

Comfort wrote:I like the pack, they'll go well, big and confrontational and 3/5 of the back 5 have good hands/intelligence).

Couple of things I'm most nervous about are:

-Scrums
We got beaten repeaqtedly against England, Marler boring in or not, we simply need to gain parity here. Parity will suffice.

-The Morgans
Matthew is tiny and I honestly fear for him the first tackle he has to make 1 on 1 if we use him defnesively as we use Halfpenny
Tyler is young, and seemed all at sea in his last game against Ireland, Fiji are a different challenge but he didnt look aready at all (although I appreciate Gatland is using the next in line in the injured positions and commend him for that).

Also, any ideas why Anscombe's not on the bench for Hook?  I feel Anscombe has something that could shine at test level, we've seen the best of what Hook has to offer and its been a long time since he delivered any of it...

Bit gutted Nadolo's out, hes been rubbish tbh and hasnt compliemnted the rest of Fijis backline. Volavola has looked dangerous ball in hand and with a more rounded scrumhalf and icisive threats on the wings could be more dangerous than we've seen so far.....

Jury's out but I'm pretty sure there'll be a Wales win, getting 4 tries will be the question mark....

Anscombe is still not fit.

It's crazy calling someone up who isn't fit though, even if there not much left in cupboard.

He was going to play for the blues this weekend so he can't be far from brand new.

I reckon Wales will play the first 25-30 tight, forward driven, lots of rolling mauls, you guys will get the four tries and a BPW of more than 12 pts.

I hope so mate, with so many lads out injured it would be nice to have some luck fall for us rather than against us.

I think that you probably have the tactics on the money, but Fiji do have a decent set of forwards and are well coached.

I would just like to see Wales go through a lengthy period of phases without coughing up possession. Keep pressuring the opposition, probe for weak links and keep recycling until the gaps appear.

We can often be too impatient in possession.

I think an opposing Captain going for a lineout to win, when he had a kicker who felt comfortable enough to take a kick to draw, is a nice slice of luck, maes

Gatland's moment of unguarded joy made one realise how much he felt the gods had smiled on him.

Cardiff Dave wrote:

maestegmafia wrote:Planet rugby have predicted Wales to win by ten

My mum reckons by 11.

Same as me ...

SecretFly wrote:I think an opposing Captain going for a lineout to win, when he had a kicker who felt comfortable enough to take a kick to draw, is a nice slice of luck, maes

Gatland's moment of unguarded joy made one realise how much he felt the gods had smiled on him.

That might be it...! I was referring to injuries more than actual luck but yes you are right we did have something go right for us there. That said, Owen Farrell would have probably missed the kick, straight to George North who would have ran it in from his own try line.

By the time we had clawed back the lead with some hard graft we were making our own luck.

a walk in the park for Wales

Wales by 20pts

I'll take a 1 point victory and 4pts

wasn't it lucky that dan biggar kicked that penalty from the half way line......never kicked that distance before so the pundits say.......lucky he didn' t bottleout . lets hope he's lucky enough to kick a few more . be lucky wales

gavstar wrote:never kicked that distance before so the pundits say

I have seen him kick them for Ospreys loads of times.

so have I, they meant at international matches. I thought that was a given ? anyway, the pressure of that kick at a world cup...........we are so lucky to have him . be lucky dan. ps even good old jonny wilko said dan was "phenomenal" still got some non believers in wales though.

Has anybody seen/heard the Dan Biggar song on the interweb ?

let's say Wales had that bit of luck they needed since they are with half of the team out for injuries

This is not the best forum. lots of wums. Who cares about the guys kick preparation. The welsh " I know my rugby " haven't got a clue. They've rubbished the guy and now can't swallow the pill. Get over it . He's proved you all wrong, A credit to the game. Watch the boots from the Taffia come flying in if he misses a few. Pathetic.

haircut wrote:This is not the best forum. lots of wums. Who cares about the guys kick preparation. The welsh " I know my rugby " haven't got a clue. They've rubbished the guy and now can't swallow the pill. Get over it . He's proved you all wrong, A credit to the game. Watch the boots from the Taffia come flying in if he misses a few.    Pathetic.

I see someone's still on the grapes

haircut wrote:This is not the best forum. lots of wums. Who cares about the guys kick preparation. The welsh " I know my rugby " haven't got a clue. They've rubbished the guy and now can't swallow the pill. Get over it . He's proved you all wrong, A credit to the game. Watch the boots from the Taffia come flying in if he misses a few.    Pathetic.

I have been saying Dan Biggar is a class act for years on here.

LordDowlais wrote:

haircut wrote:This is not the best forum. lots of wums. Who cares about the guys kick preparation. The welsh " I know my rugby " haven't got a clue. They've rubbished the guy and now can't swallow the pill. Get over it . He's proved you all wrong, A credit to the game. Watch the boots from the Taffia come flying in if he misses a few.    Pathetic.

I have been saying Dan Biggar is a class act for years on here.

Yeah, has anyone on hear being suggesting Biggar isn't clearly first choice? I haven't seen that.

In fact there was a thread created on the back of me praising Dan Biggar. It was aptly titled "Is Dan Biggar the real deal".

Fly-half criticism is directed at Priestland and Morgan these days. Biggar hasn't got stick since 2012, the year he was bursting onto the scene and beginning to oust Priestland, I remember the on-going public outcries because he was continuously selected over Biggar. My only gripe with Biggar is his unorthodox drop goal attempts. He has always been crap at them so I wish he wouldn't bother. All other areas of his game are flawless.

I wish we had Priestland..

Well with Kelly Haimona I guess you would wish that.

LordDowlais wrote:

haircut wrote:This is not the best forum. lots of wums. Who cares about the guys kick preparation. The welsh " I know my rugby " haven't got a clue. They've rubbished the guy and now can't swallow the pill. Get over it . He's proved you all wrong, A credit to the game. Watch the boots from the Taffia come flying in if he misses a few.    Pathetic.

I have been saying Dan Biggar is a class act for years on here.

Dan Biggar is now a class act. He has had a few speed bumps on the way. He admits he used to be very petulant. But since Tandy took over at the Ospreys Biggar has drastically changed his attitude and I'd far better for it.

I did worry during the England match when he protested about Mon. Garces awarding a scrum to England claiming Biggar had knocked on. But Biggar was correct the replay clearly showed he had not knocked on.

Garces also missed two clear knock-ons by Brown during the match - one in each half.

mikey_dragon wrote:Fly-half criticism is directed at Priestland and Morgan these days. Biggar hasn't got stick since 2012, the year he was bursting onto the scene and beginning to oust Priestland, I remember the on-going public outcries because he was continuously selected over Biggar. My only gripe with Biggar is his unorthodox drop goal attempts. He has always been crap at them so I wish he wouldn't bother. All other areas of his game are flawless.

Not sure about that, Biggar has had the usual amount of stick for a Welsh fly half and has had calls for Pries/Hook/Annscome to be used instead of him. I for one, have not been his biggest fan, and have said that he does (well did) lack a bit of creative vision. But that said in the last season or two he has proven himself to be the most reliable of the lot.

What does worry me about him though, is that I have heard the international fans at work saying things like 'Biggar really gets the back line firing' and 'Biggar is needed as nobody else seems to be able to bring Roberts into the game as well as Biggar can' etc, which is pretty much the same hype as Priest had. And I can honestly see these folk turning on him the same as they did to Rhys, should we lose games due to a missed kick, or poor performances from the backs.

ScarletSpiderman wrote:

mikey_dragon wrote:Fly-half criticism is directed at Priestland and Morgan these days. Biggar hasn't got stick since 2012, the year he was bursting onto the scene and beginning to oust Priestland, I remember the on-going public outcries because he was continuously selected over Biggar. My only gripe with Biggar is his unorthodox drop goal attempts. He has always been crap at them so I wish he wouldn't bother. All other areas of his game are flawless.

Not sure about that, Biggar has had the usual amount of stick for a Welsh fly half and has had calls for Pries/Hook/Annscome to be used instead of him.  I for one, have not been his biggest fan, and have said that he does (well did) lack a bit of creative vision.  But that said in the last season or two he has proven himself to be the most reliable of the lot.

What does worry me about him though, is that I have heard the international fans at work saying things like 'Biggar really gets the back line firing' and 'Biggar is needed as nobody else seems to be able to bring Roberts into the game as well as Biggar can' etc, which is pretty much the same hype as Priest had.  And I can honestly see these folk turning on him the same as they did to Rhys, should we lose games due to a missed kick, or poor performances from the backs.

You must have read that bolded bit on the Scarlets forum because it's absolutely bonkers. I haven't read anything of the sort either, but I don't go on the Scarlets/Blues/Ospreys forums.

If Biggar has his detractors then so what? It's international sport. You get your lovers and you get your haters. If Biggar has a run of bad form it won't be because of what some folk said about him on the internet. What Biggar has been exceptionally good at since his U20 days is the fly-half basics. Since then those skills along with his game management have continued grow, slowly but surely. I can't simply see all that just switching off.

The problem with any and every 10 in Wales is that they will always be compared to the likes of Morgan, John, Bennett and Davies.

Anyone who isn't considered to have flair Jenkins, Jones, Biggar etc will always have to prove doubters wrong.

The advantage Wales have playing Fiji 3rd is in the examination of their attack and defence strategies. Fiji have no conception of how to defend rolling mauls. I expect us to score the required 4 tries with this tactic alone. We may be down to 3rd choice 13 and 15 and as a result concede some tries ourselves but I think we will win comfortably.

Just sitting down for a first pint of the afternoon, the atmosphere in Cardiff is great... We have met a few Fijians, our friend we are taking to the game grew up in Fiji, great people. It's a shame they are our opponents because I almost want to cheer for them.

Let's hope it is a superb game of rugby..!

But also c'mon Wales

mikey_dragon wrote:

ScarletSpiderman wrote:

mikey_dragon wrote:Fly-half criticism is directed at Priestland and Morgan these days. Biggar hasn't got stick since 2012, the year he was bursting onto the scene and beginning to oust Priestland, I remember the on-going public outcries because he was continuously selected over Biggar. My only gripe with Biggar is his unorthodox drop goal attempts. He has always been crap at them so I wish he wouldn't bother. All other areas of his game are flawless.

Not sure about that, Biggar has had the usual amount of stick for a Welsh fly half and has had calls for Pries/Hook/Annscome to be used instead of him.  I for one, have not been his biggest fan, and have said that he does (well did) lack a bit of creative vision.  But that said in the last season or two he has proven himself to be the most reliable of the lot.

What does worry me about him though, is that I have heard the international fans at work saying things like 'Biggar really gets the back line firing' and 'Biggar is needed as nobody else seems to be able to bring Roberts into the game as well as Biggar can' etc, which is pretty much the same hype as Priest had.  And I can honestly see these folk turning on him the same as they did to Rhys, should we lose games due to a missed kick, or poor performances from the backs.

You must have read that bolded bit on the Scarlets forum because it's absolutely bonkers. I haven't read anything of the sort either, but I don't go on the Scarlets/Blues/Ospreys forums.

If Biggar has his detractors then so what? It's international sport. You get your lovers and you get your haters. If Biggar has a run of bad form it won't be because of what some folk said about him on the internet. What Biggar has been exceptionally good at since his U20 days is the fly-half basics. Since then those skills along with his game management have continued grow, slowly but surely. I can't simply see all that just switching off.

The bolded bit has been seen on here between 2012, and say 2013/4.

Biggar will not need to have a mare for people to turn on him. If the backline fail to fire (non necessarily Biggar's fault), he will be the one who comes under fire for it, not the rest of the backline. That is how the Welsh fly half is treated, and I can not see it being any different for him.

We've got a bus strike, a fire in the city centre less than 400 yds from the stadium, plus the usual problems for fans coming by rail. Chaotic? Slightly, but just another big match day for us in Cardiff!

maestegmafia wrote:Just sitting down for a first pint of the afternoon, the atmosphere in Cardiff is great... We have met a few Fijians, our friend we are taking to the game grew up in Fiji, great people. It's a shame they are our opponents because I almost want to cheer for them.

Let's hope it is a superb game of rugby..!

But also c'mon Wales

Don't worry Mae I'll cheer them on.

TightHEAD wrote:

maestegmafia wrote:Just sitting down for a first pint of the afternoon, the atmosphere in Cardiff is great... We have met a few Fijians, our friend we are taking to the game grew up in Fiji, great people. It's a shame they are our opponents because I almost want to cheer for them.

Let's hope it is a superb game of rugby..!

But also c'mon Wales

Don't worry Mae I'll cheer them on.

Very good!

Good luck Wales, really hope you get the win and no extra injuries.

Just realised this game is about to start - what a stupid time for a kick off!

What! No way!

My stomach's doing somersaults, my heart is racing! C'mon Wales.

Tenner says the TMO denies Wales a bonus point win here

That seemed a much more muted rendition of Land of My Fathers compared to Saturday despite the game being in Cardiff.

Also thought thw Welsh guys did not look quite as "up for it" as on Saturday when you could see the emotion pouring off them. Course I may simply be imagining it.

Any way, good luck Wales.

Good luck wales from an england fan... potential banana skin with the injuries, lack of rest and come-down from the emotional and physical effort from saturday. Sure you'll come through though.

Good run by North! Nearly through!

milkyboy wrote:Good luck wales from an england fan... potential banana skin with the injuries, lack of rest and come-down from the emotional and physical effort from saturday. Sure you'll come through though.

Great display of sportsmanship there. Here have a

This is getting a bit 7s, which is a worry. Cool heads boys.

Get in! Gareth Davies darts over from close range!

The Fijian scrum is quite interesting...