Sports Mole previews Sunday’s friendly clash between Wales and Fiji, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.
The Millennium Stadium in Cardiff will come to life on Sunday afternoon when Wales take on Fiji in their first match of the 2024 Autumn Nations Series campaign.
Wales enter the Autumn Internationals having slipped out of the top 10 in the World Rankings earlier this year, while Fiji are now ranked 10th, only marginally behind ninth-place Australia.
Match preview
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Since their incredible performance in the group stage at the Rugby World Cup last year, where they won all four matches, Wales have experienced a major downturn, arguably the worst seen in recent memory.
Following their exit against Argentina in the World Cup quarter-final, the Dragons lost all five of their Six Nations matches earlier this year to receive the unwanted Wooden Spoon for the first time in two decades.
Unfortunately, things did not get much better for them during the July internationals, where they were beaten by South Africa and twice by Austrailia to take their current losing streak to nine in a row.
In the history of Welsh rugby, they side has only ever gone 10 consecutive defeats once, and that was when Warren Gatland‘s compatriot Steve Hansen was at the helm during the 2002 and 2003 seasons.
Still, the Wales boss has remained positive about his side’s chances of building up some confidence over this month’s fixtures, and they also have the benefit of some of their experienced heads returning from injury in this one.
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Meanwhile, Fiji will also enter this weekend’s match bolstered by the arrival of several senior players who missed last week’s tour opener against Scotland, as it fell outside the end-of-year Test window.
Despite losing to Scotland 57-17 at Murrayfield in that game, the Flying Fijian matchday squad for that Test mainly comprised second-string players, and they will be expecting to put on a much better showing in this match as they did in the Pacific Nations Cup back in September.
Indeed, since taking the reigns back in April this year, Mick Byrne led the Fijians to their sixth Pacific Nations Cup title, beating Japan 41-17 in the final, while he has only tasted defeat against the Scots and New Zealand back in July.
One facet of play that could prove crucial here is the set-piece battle which traditionally has been one of Wales’ strengths, but Fiji have improved their scrummaging and lineout work significantly in recent ties, and if they can hold their own in the tight exchanges this weekend, it will greatly enhance their chances of securing a victory.
Despite having only one win in 14 encounters against the Welsh, Fiji remains a consistently dangerous opponent and they will know that this is the ideal moment to improve their record against a Dragons side evidently low on confidence.
Wales form (all competitions):
Fiji form (all competitions):
Team News
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Gatland has opted to call up Blair Murray, who has been very impressive for Scarlets this season, for his Test debut in this match, and he will become the 1,208th men’s international player once he runs out for this fixture.
The 23-year-old will be accompanied in the back three by wing Mason Grady and full-back Cameron Winnett, while Cardiff’s Ben Thomas is joined by Gloucester outside centre Max Llewellyn in midfield.
Fiji have adjusted their backline with four changes and one positional switch, including Vuate Karawalevu moving from the wing to fullback, while Jiuta Wainiqolo steps into the number 14 jersey.
Waisea Nayacalevu and Josua Tuisova form the new center pairing for the visitors, with Semi Radradra on the opposite wing, while Frank Lomani remains at scrumhalf alongside Caleb Muntz at number 10.
Wales starting lineup: 15 Cameron Winnett, 14 Mason Grady, 13 Max Llewellyn, 12 Ben Thomas, 11 Blair Murray, 10 Gareth Anscombe, 9 Tomos Williams, 8 Aaron Wainwright, 7 Tommy Reffell, 6 Taine Plumtree, 5 Adam Beard, 4 Will Rowlands, 3 Archie Griffin, 2 Dewi Lake (c), 1 Gareth Thomas
Replacements: 16 Ryan Elias, 17 Nicky Smith, 18 Keiron Assiratti, 19 Christ Tshiunza, 20 James Botham, 21 Jac Morgan, 22 Ellis Bevan, 23 Sam Costelow
Fiji starting lineup: 15 Vuate Karawalevu, 14 Jiuta Wainiqolo, 13 Waisea Nayacalevu (cc), 12 Josua Tuisova, 11 Semi Radradra, 10 Caleb Muntz, 9 Frank Lomani, 8 Elia Canakaivata, 7 Kitione Salawa, 6 Ratu Meli Derenalagi, 5 Temo Mayanavanua, 4 Isoa Nasilasila, 3 Samuela Tawake, 2 Tevita Ikanivere (cc), 1 Eroni Mawi
Replacements: 16 Sam Matavesi, 17 Haereiti Hetet, 18 Jone Koroiduadua, 19 Mesake Vocevoce, 20 Albert Tuisue, 21 Simi Kuruvoli, 22 Isaiah Ravula, 23 Sireli Maqala
We say: Wales 28-32 Fiji
While Wales have dominated this contest in recent years, they are a long way from their best form and extremely low on confidence following their dismal performances at the Six Nations and the July Internationals.
Fiji were taken apart by Scotland last week, but they were without the majority of their big-hitters, and with the squad returned to full strength this week, we feel they may be able to edge this one on enemy territory.
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