The Dragons were on fire at Cardiff City Stadium on Saturday as Wales kicked off their Nations Championship campaign with a thrilling 39-24 victory over Fiji. The Welsh side's attacking ferocity was simply too much for the Fijian team to handle, as they ran in six tries to secure back-to-back international wins for the first time in three years.
Flanker Jac Morgan was the standout performer, scoring a try and delivering a defensive display that earned him Player of the Match honours. But it was far from a one-man show – prop Rhys Carre, wing Josh Adams, hooker Ryan Elias, and centre Eddie James all crossed the whitewash for Wales. Fiji's tries came courtesy of flanker Pita Gus Sowakula, number eight Elia Canakaivata, and wing Selestino Ravutaumada, with fly-half Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula chipping in nine points from the boot.
The match had its fair share of controversy, too – the Welsh Rugby Union's (WRU) dispute with players over match fees was only resolved days before kick-off. But it seemed to have no impact on the team's performance, as they dominated Fiji throughout. The attendance figure of 16,456 at Cardiff City Stadium may have been modest, but the electric atmosphere inside the stadium made for an unforgettable experience.
Wales' tactical approach, which focused on containing Fiji's flair and capitalising on their own set-piece strength, paid dividends in spades. Three of Wales' six tries originated from driving mauls – a testament to head coach Steve Tandy's clever game plan. It's been five years since Wales last scored six tries in a Test match, but against familiar foes Fiji it was mission accomplished.
Now the focus turns to two away fixtures that promise to be just as challenging: Argentina and South Africa await in the Nations Championship. Meanwhile, Fiji will remain in the UK for the next few weeks, facing England at the Hill Dickinson Stadium in Liverpool before clashing with Scotland at Murrayfield. The Fijian team is using this period to boost revenue – playing 'home' games in Europe could help fund a new stadium by 2030.