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Fiji player ratings vs Wales | Rugby World Cup 2023
By Ben Smith
The Flying Fijians opened their Rugby World Cup against Wales in Bordeaux with a 32-26 loss that went right down to the wire.
Fiji climbed back from 8-0 down to take a 14-8 lead midway through the first half but couldn't capitalise on their opportunities in a wild game that see sawed between the two sides.
Wales looked to fight fire with fire and matched Fiji's enterprise with brilliant counter-attacking rugby of their own. They looked to have the game sealed before a furious comeback by Fiji that just fell short.
Here's how Fiji's players rated.
1 Eroni Mawi - 6
2 Sam Matavesi - 6
3 Luke Tagi - 6
Had a good offload early and strong carrying up front. Got through a high tackle count for a prop and maintained a high work rate, anchored a solid set-piece.
4 Isoa Nasilasila - 5
5 Te Ahiwaru Cirikidaveta - 6
Took on the off-the-ball work with plenty of cleaning. Had three carries and was equal top tackler for Fiji with seven.
6 Albert Tuisue - 6
7 Lekima Tagitagivalu - 5
8 Viliame Mata - 8
9 Frank Lomani - 7
10 Teti Tela - 6
Provided a great touchfinder into the corner early. Restarts were very accurate, but his first penalty was a bad miss from long range. Tela ran Fiji's patterns well and had very good distribution. Missed on a crossfield kick opportunity to Radradra under advantage. Missed the conversions when Lomani went off which hurt.
11 Vinaya Habosi - 4
12 Semi Radradra - 4
13 Waisea Nayacalevu - 6
14 Selestino Ravutaumada - 5
15 Ilaisa Droasese - 6
Injected into the line with promise and always looked like breaking through. Was safe at the back, covering kicks well and diffusing bombs. Hardly put a foot wrong in a very clinical performance. Finished with top running metres for Fiji with 128.
Substitutes
16 Tevita Ikanivere - The Fijian reserve forwards came on and dominated the scrum and continued the power onslaught with their carries.
17 Peni Ravai - 8 - Immediately came in with fire and tried a couple of big shorts. Incredible power with ball-in-hand and made 9 carries in his cameo. Was rewarded with a barge over try minutes from the end.
18 Mesake Doge - 5 - Injected himself with some strong carries.
19 Temo Mayanavanua - N/A - On at 69 mins.
20 Levani Botia - 5 - The veteran crashed over but was held up at a key moment with Fiji trying close the gap to 4 points.
21 Simione Kuruvoli - On - Brought physical defence off the bench.
22 Josua Tuisova - 7 - Came in for Radradra and brought plenty of energy looking for the ball. Carried over Jac Morgan with his first touch. Crashed over for Fiji's third try after the Fiji forwards bent the line. Finished with 5 defenders beaten in a solid cameo.
23 Sireli Maqala - N/A - On in 74th.
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Latest Comments
Agreed. As a Saffa I have much respect for the ABs. I also have to say given any option I would ONLY prefer to lose to ABs. To lose to England is probably the most embarrassing think to happen to either of us.
There was a time when both of us lost to England and we both hated it. Thankfully those days are behind us. Kudos to you guys, kudos to ABs. But dear old BS seems to hate us Boks. No idea why.
Go to commentsI got the sense that holding him to it was kickback from SB and the rfu smarting at being jilted quite so soon, so unexpectedly and so publicly.
Seem to remember that they spoke to Gustard before appointing Joe and you really have to think he would have come in at a higher level?
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