Wales stand on the brink of a World Cup quarter-final following a 23-13 victory over Fiji – although they will be disappointed to have missed out on a bonus point.
Both teams played their part in a breathless, pulsating encounter in Cardiff but it was Warren Gatland who took the spoils to make it three wins out of three.
Tries from Gareth Davies and Scott Baldwin plus 13 points from the boot of Dan Biggar were enough to secure the win against a Fiji side that never gave up.
From the kick-off, it was Wales who dominated. George North’s devastating break took him into the Fijian 22 following good work from Matthew Morgan.
And after seven minutes of pressure, Wales got their breakthrough. Scrum-half Davies darting over from close range to puncture Fijian resistance.
However, Fiji battled back as Wales suffered lapses in their discipline.
Fly-half Ben Volavola kicked his first penalty from distance, but then proceded to miss an easier second.
Biggar calmed Welsh nerves with a penalty of his own before the hosts spurned a gilt-edge chance to score.
Matthew Morgan broke from his 22 before finding Davies who seemed indecisive as he looked to beat the last defender. Brilliant scramble defence from Fiji ensured that Taulupe Faletau did not cross for Wales’ second try.
But eventually the try did come.
Alun Wyn Jones burst into the Fijian 22 and when the ball was recycled quickly, Tyler Morgan was stopped just short of the line.
However, Baldwin forced his way over from the resulting ruck and Wales suddenly led by 14 points.
Another Volavola penalty reduced it to 11 at halftime but Gatland would still have been pleased with the first half showing.
However, the second half was a much looser affair with Fiji looking dangerous from wherever.
When Alex Cuthbert put down an interception opportunity which could have killed the match, Fiji did what they do best and countered from deep with Asaeli Tikoirotuma breaking before he found Timoci Nagusa who offloaded to Vereniki Goneva who finished the astonishing move.
Buoyed by this, Fiji continued to press but it was Wales who did the rest of the scoring with Biggar adding two more penalties to take the game away from Fiji.
Late on, man of the match Davies was denied another try by the TMO following a trademark snipe as this pulsating match came to an exhausting close.
Now, Wales will have to wait for Saturday’s match between England and Australia with a win for the Aussies enough to secure Warren Gatland’s side a place in the last eight.
