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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
500k registered players in SA are scoolgoers and 90% of them don't go on to senior club rugby. SA is fed by having hundreds upon hundreds of schools that play rugby - school rugby is an institution of note in SA - but as I say for the vast majority when they leave school that's it.
Go to commentsDon't think you've watched enough. I'll take him over anything I's seen so far. But let's see how the future pans out. I'm quietly confident we have a row of 10's lined uo who would each start in many really good teams.
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