Jac Morgan scored two tries as Wales opened their Nations Championship campaign with a 39-24 victory over Fiji in Cardiff.
After soaking up an early Fijian bombardment, tries from Morgan (two), Rhys Carre, Josh Adams, Ryan Elias and Eddie James secured a bonus point for Wales, with Dan Edwards and Sam Costelow adding nine points with the boot.
Fiji crossed three times through Pita-Gus Sowakula, Elia Canakaivata and Selestino Ravutaumada, and Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula kicked nine points in what was an entertaining spectacle.
The build-up to the game had been overshadowed by a players’ pay dispute which was only settled by the Welsh Rugby Union on Wednesday, while the match was played in front of a low crowd of 16,456 at the Cardiff City Stadium.
Josh Adams (centre) was among the scorers for Wales
Fiji – ninth in the world rankings and two places higher than Wales – were officially the hosts as World Rugby had sanctioned switching their home games in the new competition to the northern hemisphere.
Wales had won 12 of the 15 contests between the two nations, with one draw, but Fiji had claimed their first-ever victory in Cardiff at Principality Stadium in November 2024.
More to follow…
In earlier matches on Saturday, New Zealand edged France 34-32 in Christchurch and Japan beat Italy 27-10 in Tokyo, while Andy Farrell’s injury-ravaged Ireland secured a 33-31 victory over Australia in Sydney.
Ireland celebrated a narrow victory in Sydney
What’s next?
World Rugby bills the 12-team Nations Championship as North vs. South. The tournament has two conferences, the southern – in which northern teams are scheduled to travel south in July – and the northern – when southern teams will travel north in November.
Fiji are next in action against England next Saturday (2.10pm start) at the Hill Dickinson Stadium, Everton’s home ground, while Wales travel to play Argentina the same day (8.10pm start).
Six rounds of matches will lead to a finals series in London in late November, which World Rugby says will identify the best team in the world.
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