Wales opened their Nations Championship campaign with a 39-24 victory over Fiji in Cardiff.
After soaking up an early Fijian bombardment, tries from Jac Morgan (2), 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.
Fiji – ninth in the world rankings and two places higher than Wales – were officially the hosts at Cardiff City Stadium 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.
PA
