Wales vs Fiji LIVE rugby: Semi Radradra shown red card as visitors ...
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Wales are in desperate need of a win as Warren Gatland’s side begin their Autumn Nations Series with a tricky test against Fiji.
Gatland’s men are without a Test win in 2024, following a Six Nations wooden spoon with a 2-0 series defeat to Australia. The head coach has issued a plea for patience as he rebuilds his squad, but with the Wallabies and South Africa to come in Cardiff over the next few weeks, defeat here would lead to renewed worries.
The return of a number of senior figures boosts the hosts but they will be wary of the dangerous Pacific Islanders, who ran them so close in the pool stages of last year’s World Cup. Fiji opened their November against Scotland last weekend in the absence of their foreign-based stars, who add stardust and steel to the ranks for an encounter that they will see as winnable.
Follow all of the action from the Principality Stadium in our live blog below:
Fiji make a raft of changes with their Europe-based players available after an inexperienced side were heavily beaten in last week’s out-of-window clash with Scotland. Waisea Nayacalevu is back as is named as co-captain as he looks to regain his form after a slightly slow start to the season at Sale, while Jiuta Wainiqolo has been flying in the Top 14 for Toulon. Eroni Mawi and Temo Mayanavanua should provide tight five strength.
Fiji XV: 1 Eroni Mawi, 2 Tevita Ikanivere (co-capt.), 3 Samu Tawake; 4 Isoa Nasilasila, 5 Temo Mayanavanua; 6 Meli Derenalagi, 7 Kitione Salawa, 8 Elia Canakaivata; 9 Frank Lomani, 10 Caleb Muntz; 11 Semi Radradra, 12 Josua Tuisova, 13 Waisea Nayacalevu (co-capt.), 14 Jiuta Wainiqolo; 15 Vuate Karawalevu.
Replacements: 16 Sam Matavesi, 17 Haereiti Hetet, 18 Jone Koroiduadua, 19 Mesake Vocevoce, 20 Albert Tuisue; 21 Simi Kuruvoli, 22 Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula, 23 Sireli Maqala.
Mike Jones10 November 2024 12:50
Warren Gatland hands a debut to wing Blair Murray, who was born and raised in New Zealand but qualifies via his Welsh mother. Max Llewellyn, in impressive form at Gloucester, makes his second start in the centres while club colleagues Tomos Williams and Gareth Anscombe provide experience in the halves. Tommy Reffell is preferred on the openside to Jac Morgan, who has been carrying a knock but is able to take up his place on a bench that includes five other forwards.
Wales XV: 1 Gareth Thomas, 2 Dewi Lake (capt.), 3 Archie Griffin; 4 Will Rowlands, 5 Adam Beard; 6 Taine Plumtree, 7 Tommy Reffell, 8 Aaron Wainwright; 9 Tomos Williams, 10 Gareth Anscombe; 11 Blair Murray, 12 Ben Thomas, 13 Max Llewellyn, 14 Mason Grady; 15 Cameron Winnett.
Replacements: 16 Ryan Elias, 17 Nicky Smith, 18 Keiron Assiratti, 19 Christ Tshiunza, 20 James Botham, 21 Jac Morgan; 22 Ellis Bevan, 23 Sam Costelow.
Harry Latham-Coyle10 November 2024 12:45
Few players in world rugby during recent seasons have suffered more on the injury front than Wales fly-half Gareth Anscombe.
A major knee issue ended his 2019 World Cup hopes before the tournament started, and meant two years out of the game, then a groin problem suffered during the 2023 World Cup signalled another 13 months away from the international arena, which also resulted in Japanese club Suntory Sungoliath cancelling his registration with them.
Refreshed and revitalised by a move to Gallagher Premiership club Gloucester this season, the 33-year-old is ready to go again and Wales have welcomed him back with open arms.
Harry Latham-Coyle10 November 2024 12:30
Retirements and injuries post-2023 World Cup were major factors behind new-look Wales squads that had an inexperienced feel to them.
Head coach Warren Gatland’s 35-strong autumn group contains 17 players with single-figure caps, but a number of key performers – players like Gareth Anscombe, Tomos Williams, Will Rowlands and Adam Beard – are back after missing the summer tour to Australia, and their collective contribution could prove significant in helping Wales find a way to get over the finishing line.
Harry Latham-Coyle10 November 2024 12:15
Dewi Lake has urged Wales to “turn over a new leaf” when they begin their Autumn Nations Series campaign against Fiji.
The Wales captain leads a team desperate to avoid suffering a record-equalling 10th successive Test defeat that would match an all-time low of 2002 and 2003.
It is approaching 400 days since Wales last posted a Test triumph – a 43-19 World Cup pool-stage victory over Georgia – since then they have finished bottom of the Six Nations without a win and also lost to Australia (twice), South Africa and Argentina.
Harry Latham-Coyle10 November 2024 12:00
Gareth Anscombe has underlined the challenge facing Wales when they look to open their Autumn Nations Series campaign with victory over Fiji.
The countries clash for the first time since an epic 2023 World Cup pool game in Bordeaux that Wales won 32-26.
Wales, though, had to make a staggering 253 tackles in the match and withstand a ferocious Fiji fightback from 18 points adrift that included a last-gasp missed opportunity when unmarked centre Semi Radradra spilled possession.
Harry Latham-Coyle10 November 2024 11:45
Mike Forshaw says that Wales have “got to be the aggressors” when they target ending a nine-Test losing run in their Autumn Nations Series opener against Fiji.
Wales have not won a Test match since beating 2023 World Cup opponents Georgia almost 13 months ago.
Defeat to Fiji on November 10 – Wales have won seven and drawn one of the previous Cardiff encounters between the countries – would equal their all-time worst losing run of 10 Tests set in 2002 and 2003.
Harry Latham-Coyle10 November 2024 11:15
Wales boss Warren Gatland has named uncapped Scarlets wing Blair Murray in his team for today’s Autumn Nations Series opener against Fiji.
New Zealand-born Murray steps into the Test match arena after just six games for the Scarlets.
The 23-year-old, whose mother is from Tonyrefail in the Rhondda, has done enough to earn a starting place ahead of experienced Dragons wing Rio Dyer.
Harry Latham-Coyle10 November 2024 11:00
Welcome along to The Independent’s LIVE coverage of Wales’s opening Autumn Nations Series Test against Fiji. It’s been a year to forget so far for Warren Gatland and his callow side, a first win of 2024 still eluding them as they begin their November campaign.
Can a squad bolstered by a few senior figures return Wales to winning ways? Or will this dangerous Fijian side claim another significant victory after wins over England and Australia last year?
Kick off is at 1.40pm GMT.
Harry Latham-Coyle8 November 2024 15:34
