Fiji the victors in draw

Fiji did it again against Wales. They outplayed and out-spirited their more illustrious opponents in Cardiff on Friday to earn a 16-all draw.

Just as they did at the 2007 World Cup, when they knocked Wales out during the pool stages, the Pacific Islanders played with greater enterprise at the Millennium Stadium.

And while the scoreboard declared a draw, the Fijians can truly claim a moral victory against a Welsh team that was thoroughly unconvincing and dreadful on the day - a team that lacked direction.

The Welsh, players and coaching staff, will have sleepless nights this coming week, knowing that New Zealand will be in town next week.

The result means their winless streak has been extended to six games. The Dragons have not tasted victory since the 33-10 Six Nations victory over Italy in March and carried the painful memories of their 2007 World Cup exit at the hands of Fiji into the game.

Wales were very patchy throughout against a Fijian team that again showed they have mastered the art of harassing the opposition into mistakes and thrive on a helter skelter game.

Wales had a clear advantage in the scrums, where they won a few penalties and even a penalty try, but the rest of their game was simply not up to scratch. Not only did they lose a substantial number of their own online-out throws, but they also turned over possession at the breakdown far too regularly. The home team eventually resorted to short throws and quick throws to secure line-out ball.

And in the face of the ferocious Fijian tacklers, the Welsh runners became ever-more hesitant - even resorting to basketball-like passes at times.

The Welsh also did not help themselves with some shoddy handling and plenty of aimless kicking going on for most of the game.

Fiji made their intentions clear from the outset - stretching the Welsh defence with some entertaining ball-in-hand play. However, their first real scoring opportunity was a Seremaia Bai penalty attempt, which bounced back off the upright in the third minute.

Once the Welsh repelled the initial threat, they worked their way upfield - where Dan Bigger slotted a seventh-minute penalty to open the scoring. Bai levelled matters (3-all) in the 15th minute, after James Hook was penalised for obstruction on his own 10-metre line.

The Fijians' propensity for dangerous tackles cost them dearly just as the first quarter came to an end - flyhalf Seremaia Bai being yellow-carded for a tip-tackle on Aled Brew. Biggar slotted the penalty for a 6-3 lead. Again the Welsh conceded any advantage they could have gained by giving away a silly penalty at the tackle almost immediately from the restart and fullback Josh Matavesi stepped up - in the absence of Bai - to slot the three points, 6-all.

Wales were stunned in the 37th minute, when the Pacific Islanders won another turnover at the breakdown and through quick hands centre Albert Vulivuli went over for the first try of the match - even though it required the TMO to confirm the score. Bai's conversion made it 13-6, with a couple of minutes to go to the half-time break.

The home team had a late chance to narrow the gap to four points, but Biggar's penalty shot drifted wide of the uprights and the Pacific Islanders held onto their 13-6 lead at half-time.

With half-an-hour to go Welsh coach Warren Gatland went to his bench to salvage the game - Bradley Davies, Mike Phillips, Stephen Jones and Tom Shanklin all making their way onto the field at the same timed.

In the 55th minute, after a powerful Welsh raid, Lee Byrne was tackled just short. It required several looks by the TMO, but he ruled against the Welsh.

They went to a five-metre scrum - which became a reset, then a free kick and then penalty to Wales. Then there were two more resets, and a warning from French referee Jérôme Garces to both teams, before another penalty to Wales. In the 59th minute the referee - after four minutes of messy scrums - awarded a penalty try to Wales. Stephen Jones added the conversion to make it 13-all.

This was followed by a Jones penalty, which saw the Welsh finally regain the lead.

The Welsh continued to go through the motions in a game in which they were well below the expected standards.

And this not just allowed the Fijians to stay within touch, but handed them a golden opportunity to win the game. They launched a series of raids  on the Welsh line and eventually won a penalty, which Bai slotted to earn his team a deserved draw.

The final scoreline said 16-all, but for Fiji it was truly a moral victory.

Man of the match: Flyhalf Seremaia Bai epitomised the Fijian spirit with his fearless tackling, his yellow card notwithstanding. Also, Fijian centres Albert Vulivuli and Gabirieli Lovobalavu deserve plaudits for their strong running. Flank Dan Lydiate was the best of a sad bunch in the Welsh team. Our award goes to the entire Fijian team for playing out of their skins again a Welsh team that was meant to cruise to victory.

Moment of the match: The most entertaining was Albert Vulivuli's try late in the first half - which epitomised the way the Fijians play the game. However, the most crucial moment was the swath of Welsh replacements just on 50 minutes.

Villain of the match: It is a pity about his yellow card, as Seremaia Bai played very well, but there is no place in the game for spear tackles.

The scorers:

For Wales:
Try: Penalty try
Con: S Jones
Pens: Biggar 2, S Jones

For Fiji:
Try: Vulivuli
Con: Bai
Pens: Bai 2, Matavesi

Yellow card: Seremaia Bai (Fiji, 22 - foul play, tip-tackle)

Teams:

Wales: 15 Lee Byrne, 14 George North, 13 Andrew Bishop, 12 James Hook, 11 Aled Brew, 10 Dan Biggar, 9 Richie Rees, 8 Jonathan Thomas, 7 Dan Lydiate, 6 Ryan Jones (captain), 5 Deiniol Jones, 4 Ian Gough, 3 Paul James, 2 Huw Bennett, 1 Adam Jones.
Replacements: 16 Richard Hibbard, 17 John Yapp, 18 Bradley Davies, 19 Toby Faletau, 20 Mike Phillips, 21 Stephen Jones, 22 Tom Shanklin.

Fiji: 15 Josh Matavesi, 14 Michael Tagicakibau, 13 Albert Vulivuli, 12 Gabirieli Lovobalavu, 11 Vereniki Goneva, 10 Seremaia Bai, 9 Nemia Kenatale, 8 Sisa Koyamaibole, 7 Malakai Ravulo, 6 Semisi Saukawa, 5 Jone Qovu, 4 Ifereimi Rawaqa, 3 Deacon Manu (captain), 2 Vili Veikoso, 1 Campese Ma'afu.
Replacements: 16 Talemaitoga Taupati, 17 Graham Dewes, 18 Seko Kalou, 19 Akapusi Qera, 20 Seveci Taka, 21 Ropate Ratu, 22 Taniela Rawaqa.

Referee: Jérôme Garces (France)
Assistant referees: Steve Walsh (Australia), Rob Debney (England)
TMO: Daniel Gillet (France)