Good afternoon!
Wales will be hoping to make it three wins from three as they take on
Fiji at the
Rugby World Cup this afternoon. Let's start with a reminder of the lineups.
WALES STARTING XV: M Morgan, Cuthbert, T Morgan, Roberts, North, Biggar, G Davies, Jenkins, Baldwin, Francis, B Davies, Wyn Jones, Lydiate, Warburton, Faletau
FIJI STARTING XV: Talebula, Nagusa, Goneva, Botia, Tikoirotuma, Volavola, Benatale, Ma'afu, Koto, Saulo, Cavubati, Nakarawa, Waqaniburotu, Qera, Talei
There are three changes for Wales following the come-from-behind win over England at the weekend. Liam Williams misses out with a concussion, while Scott Williams is out with a knee injury and Hallam Amos had a shoulder problem. Matthew Morgan, Tyler Morgan and Alex Cuthbert come in.
Fiji also have problems, with Nemani Nadolo suspended and Niko Matawalu misses out with injury. Dominiko Waqaniburotu, who was suspended against Australia, comes back in though.
Sports Mole's Dan Lewis is at the match to see if Wales can all-but secure their spot in the quarter-finals this afternoon. Here are his pre-match thoughts:
"While the majority of Wales may still be suffering from a hangover on the back of Saturday night's incredible win over England, the message from Warren Gatland has been simple: 'Get out there and get the job done'.
"There is plenty of expectation around these parts right now, and boosted by their impressive and gutsy display last time out, Wales can now move within touching distance of the knockout stages here tonight."
Ahead of this match, Wales coach Warren Gatland told reporters: "It is important that we build on the success. Fiji have performed well in their opening two matches and they will be looking to build on that. We are looking forward to being back at the Millennium Stadium on Thursday and having the crowd right behind us in an important World Cup fixture."
Meanwhile, Fiji back coach John Matson told the media: "Wales will be confident after their victory over England. They were the perfect example of a side who, despite individuals falling over, managed to remain standing as a team. It is tough for us having to play the countries ranked at two, three and four in the world in 13 days, but we are enjoying ourselves and Thursday is a great opportunity for us. We will challenge Wales hard."
As you can see from Dan's picture, the roof is on in Cardiff. It's a fine day weather-wise, but when the roof is closed it makes for quite an atmosphere:
This is the third World Cup in a row that Wales and Fiji have been drawn in the same pool. The Pacific Island side stunned the Welsh team in 2007, but were thrashed 66-0 when the teams went head to head in New Zealand four years ago.
Dan Lewis reports from the Millennium Stadium ahead of kickoff:
"The main aim this evening is to simply get the points on the board, of course, but Gatland will secretly be desperate for that much-coveted bonus point, too.
"Fiji have proved to be a tough nut to crack on the whole, with England leaving the fourth try until the dying seconds and Australia having to settle with just the three.
"It should be tight, but an upset of Japan proportions does not appear to be on the cards for this one."
We've already seen that the roof is on, but this is what the pitch looks like with 10 minutes to go until kickoff. It looks like it's going to be packed at the Millennium Stadium this evening!
The players make their way out of the tunnel at the Millennium Stadium ready for the start of the match. A wall of noise greats the players as they run out in front of a packed stadium.
The teams line up for the anthems, with Wales up first. It sounds like the entire stadium is singing along. However, there are still a smattering of Fiji flags, and their supporters do their best to make themselves heard during their anthem.
Fiji also line up to perform the Cibi, their war dance similar to New Zealand's Haka. They may be the underdogs, but they certainly look fired up for this match. Kickoff should just be a few moments away now.
KICKOFF! Dan Biggar gets the match underway!
Wales sniff a chance for an early try as Matthew Morgan gets the ball out wide to George North, who surges forward before eventually being halted inside the five-metre line. Morgan gets it back and tries to keep the move alive, with Gethin Jenkins also getting involved, but Fiji are doing just enough to keep the home side out.
Wales are awarded a penalty, but turn down the kick to give themselves a chance at the try. From the lineout, Biggar kicks is across the field looking for Cuthbert, but Volavola gets to it first. Wales had a penalty advantage though, so will get the ball back. Fiji's defence is certainly being put through it's paces at the start of this match.
Fiji briefly get the ball back as Goneva forces the turnover, but a huge tackle from Biggar allows Alun Wyn Jones to snatch it back for Gatland's side. Wales will have a scrum just short of the Fiji try line as Jenkins tackles Goneva in touch. Having pushed so hard in the opening few minutes, Wales will be desperate to get the early try.
TRY! Wales 5-0 Fiji (Gareth Davies)
After Falatau is held up short under the posts, it's passed out wide to Davies, who gets down low to slip over, getting the opening points of the match on the board.
CONVERSION! Wales 7-0 Fiji (Dan Biggar)
Dan Lewis reports from Cardiff:
"Well what a frenetic start we have witnessed here. Wales are obviously still living off the momentum of last weekend's win, with the ball not leaving the Fijian half in the opening 10 minutes!
"That bonus point is on the cards if this opening period is anything to go by."
Gareth Davies is involved again as he kicks the ball forward looking for Cuthbert, but Talebula gets to it first, before passing to Volavola, but Warburton is on hand to stop the fly-half sprinting away. Ma'afu and Nakarawa also get involved, but Wales seem to have the threat covered.
Wales's medical team are being called into action early on as Bradley Davies appears to have taken a blow to the face, leaving him with a rather heavy nose bleed. They manage to slow the flow of blood though, so it doesn't look like he'll need to go off.
Wales have a put in at the scrum, but the Fiji front row make the most of their power, forcing Wales to collapse the scrum, earning the Pacific Island side a penalty. Meanwhile, Davies's nose is still gushing, so he's gone off.
PENALTY! Wales 7-3 Fiji (Ben Volavola)
Volavola gets Fiji on the board as a result of their superb performance in the scrum, curling the ball in from out wide, just squeezing it inside the right upright.
MISSED PENALTY! Fiji certainly look like they've been working on their set pieces ahead of this match as they win a lineout, and force a penalty from it when Faletau gets in the way, but Volavola is unable to split the posts with the resulting penalty.
Tyler Morgan passes the ball out wide for North, who looks so sharp this evening, but Fiji have men there to stop his run. A string of quick passes between Cuthbert, Davies and Morgan provides a promising build up for Wales, but they lose the ball in a kick forward.
Wales have a penalty, which Gareth Davies takes quickly, looking to sprint all the way to the try line for his second of the match, but he's tackled inside the 22. Wales still have a penalty though, and it's now a much easier kick for Biggar.
PENALTY! Wales 10-3 Fiji (Dan Biggar)
Biggar chips it through with ease to restore the seven-point lead. There are a couple of injury concerns for Wales though as Alex Cuthbert makes his way down the tunnel, with Lloyd Williams taking his place. Meanwhile Dan Lydiate is receiving treatment, having seemingly taken a blow to the face, but it looks like he'll be ok.
Dan Lewis has an update from the Millennium Stadium:
"Much improved from Fiji over these last 10 minutes or so, with Volavola in particular looking a real danger at the moment.
"His missed penalty may cost the southern hemisphere side, though, as Wales look to put some distance between themselves and their 10th-in-the-world opponents."
Fiji are on the charge again, with Lepani Botia looking for a way down the left flank, but Wales force the turnover, allowing Faletau and Gareth Davies to look for Wales's second try of the game, but Botia gets back quickly to win the ball back for Fiji.
Kenatale tries to get the ball out from the ruck, but one of his teammates had his hands in, giving Wales the penalty. There's more good news for Wales, as Cuthbert and Bradley Davies are both able to come back on after receiving some treatment. Given some of the injuries Wales have suffered ahead of and during this tournament, that will be a welcome sight for the home fans.
Warburton surges towards the line looking for the second try, before Morgan thinks he's got it across the line. However, during the TMO review, the referee also asks for another look at a tackle from Bradley Davies, and he's not happy with the height of the hit, so Fiji will have the penalty. Davies's nose has soon opened back up again, he'll probably need some more work on that at half time.
TRY! Wales 15-3 Fiji (Scott Baldwin)
Wales have looked superb when they get the ball moving quickly, and it pays dividends again as Alun Wyn Jones sets up Tyler Morgan, who can't quite stretch it across the line. Rather than risking a double movement, he passes it back to
Scott Baldwin, and the hooker squeezes it across the line, just keeping contact with the ball to get the second try on the board.
CONVERSION! Wales 17-3 Fiji (Dan Biggar)
Wales can sense a chance for a third before the break, but the ball slips through Lydiate's hands, leaving Volavola to lead a dangerous-looking counter on the turnover, but the fly-half loses the ball while being brought down by Lydiate. Wales looked really exposed there, but just about regained control of the situation in time.
Wales have a scrum, but for the second time in this first half, the home side are penalised for collapsing the scrum, giving Fiji a chance to go for the posts.
PENALTY! Wales 17-6 Fiji (Ben Volavola)
Wales are driving towards the try line looking for a third right on the cusp of half time. George north is also lurking should the ball come out the back of the maul, but Fiji manage to stop it.
HALF TIME: Wales 17-6 Fiji
So, at half time, Wales hold an 11-point lead thanks to first-half tries from Gareth Davies and Scott Baldwin. The home side look to be in control, and have come close to increasing their score further, but Fiji have proved a tough opponent so far.
Matthew Morgan would have been Wales's third-choice full-back coming into this tournament, behind Leigh Halfpenny and Liam Williams. They're both injured though, leaving the 23-year-old to come in for this match, and he's had a big first 40 minutes:
If you did miss anything in the first half, or just want a recap, why not check out Dan Lewis's
half-time report directly from the Millennium Stadium.
In the opening 40 minutes, Wales had 77% of the territory, and 68 % possession. Warren Gatland's side have made 282 metres, 82 more than their opponents, as well as five clean breaks. If Wales can maintain this dominance in the second half, you wouldn't bet against them securing the bonus point.
Dan Lewis reports from the Millennium Stadium as the players start to head back out for the second half:
"Comfortable enough for Wales at the break, then, and very much on track for that bonus-point win.
"Fiji showed plenty of power and pace in the middle when looking to mount attacks in that first half, but it was all too rare from their perspective.
"One more try should make certain of the win for the Red Dragons, yet Gatland will have his eyes on more than the four points."
RESTART! Fiji get the action back underway.
Biggar tries to kick the ball forward to himself, but he's beaten in the air by Cavubati, but he knocks on while looking for the offload, giving Wales an early scrum.
Wales don't given away a penalty from the scrum this time, but Alun Wyn Jones gives away the turnover, allowing Volavola to kick it away from a penalty.
Fiji are clearly pushing to get a try back at the start of this second half, with Sunia Koto and Cavubati keeping the ball moving. Tikoirotuma slips through the middle before passing it back to Botia. This is a promising move for the Fijians.
MISSED PENALTY! Wales briefly get the ball back as Kenatale loses it, but a deliberate knock on gives Fiji the penalty, but Volavola misses the target for the second time today.
TRY! Wales 17-11 Fiji (Vereniki Goneva)
Well that's certainly been coming! Wales give Fiji far too much room, allowing
Vereniki Goneva to pile over to the left of the posts, getting Fiji right back in this match.
CONVERSION! Wales 17-13 Fiji (Ben Volavola)
George North quickly tries to respond for Wales, carrying the ball into Fiji territory down the left, before Wales force a lineout. Tyler Morgan makes some metres, but Gareth Davies can't get his hands to it, allowing Fiji to get the ball back.
PENALTY! Wales 20-13 Fiji (Dan Biggar)
Wales have really been under pressure at the start of the second half, so when Biggar gets teh chance to kick to put the home side seven point ahead, he goes for it, just forcing the ball through.
Wales get another penalty, which Biggar kicks for a lineout at the half way line. Cuthbert tries to charge forward, but Gareth Davies is slow to go for the loose ball again, allowing Fiji to get it back.
Samson Lee has come off the replacements bench for Wales, and helps the team win the ball back with a big tackle to stop Koto. Cavubati soon gets it back though, with Nakarawa charging towards the try line, but someone Wales keep him out. Gatland's side are clinging on by their fingertips at the moment. Biggar is in there to win it back for Wales though, before Gareth Davies kicks it away.
Waqaniburuto and Koto keep the pressure coming for Fiji, with their offloading style really stretching the Wales defence, but Biggar is able to dislodge the ball again.
Dan Lewis reports from the Millennium Stadium:
"The nerves around the Millennium Stadium can be felt from high up in the press box - this one is far from over.
"There is certainly another try in this match, and whichever way it goes could prove decisive. It certainly will in Wales's case, but right now they can't seem to find any momentum. Credit to the Flying Fijians."
From a lineout, Sam Warburton gets the ball just a few metres out, and quickly passes to his right back to Ken Owens, but the replacement hooker steps on the line before he goes over. The captain could probably have made that if he'd kept it for himself.
Volavola tries to boot it clear from the back, but Davies makes a superb block, forcing it into touch to give Wales a scrum at the Fiji five-metre line. That could be a game-changing moment for both teams, if Wales can finally get their scrum in order.
PENALTY! Wales 23-13 Fiji (Dan Biggar)
Fiji manage to wheel the scrum, looking to prevent Wales capitalising from a strong position, but the referee awards the home side a penalty, and Biggar keeps his cool to add three more, putting the team more than a converted penalty clear heading into the final 10 minutes. The fly-half is yet to miss in this tournament.
Fiji have made a string of changes to try to freshen up their approach for the final 10 minutes. Matavesa links up with Nagusa as the Pacific Island nation try to pull off what would be a remarkable comeback late on. There's definitely time for it to happen though.
Dan Biggar has a touch of cramp, so Rhys Priestland comes on in his place for the final few minutes. He immediately has an impact as Kota loses the ball, leaving the fly-half to chip it forward for Cuthbert. James Hook gets involved, trying to kick it on for Tipuric, but he couldn't quite get the ball away.
TRY? Wales have a lineout, and Warburton tries to make some ground towards the try line. Gareth Davies pounces towards the corner, with some of his teammates believing he's over. There are no celebrations from the scrum half though, and the referee has asked the TMO to take a look.
NO TRY! Davies did manage to get enough behind his slide, but one of the Fiji players managed to get his hand under the ball to stop the scrum-half grounding the ball. It's not a popular decision with the Cardiff crowd.
Wales sense a chance to go for the third try again, with Faletau passing the ball to Wyn Jones, but the veteran manages to spill the ball straight to Talebula.
Hook has the ball as Wales continue to pile forwards in the final moments of this match. He's tackled by Tikoirotuma though, forcing the ball to pop out of his hands. Fiji will have a scrum.
Gareth Davies breaks again for Wales, while Tipuric and Priestland also get touches, but it doesn't look like Wales are going to get the third try, as Fiji get a penalty.
Both sides are refusing to let this game finish, with Fiji keeping the ball alive to try to get a try back, while Warburton takes a penalty quick to set Priestland off down the right flank.
FULL TIME: Wales 23-13 Fiji
Well, it certainly wasn't as comfortable as Wales would have liked, but a win is a win, and Warren Gatland's side now have three of them, with only one match still to play in the pool stage of this competition. And, they've got a nine-day rest before a potential showdown with Australia.
Dan Lewis has been following the match at the Millennium Stadium for
Sports Mole, and you can now ready his
full-time report.
Well, that's all from this match, but stick around as Dan will have loads of exclusive reaction from this match to follow. Also, there will be live coverage of France's match against Canada shortly. Thanks for joining me this evening. Goodbye.