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Wales survive late fightback to defeat Fiji – ARN News Centre
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Wales fended off a frenzied Fijian assault to emerge 32-26 victors in their opening World Cup clash in Bordeaux, giving themselves every chance of advancing to the quarter-finals.
Victory in the raucous, freewheeling contest offers a beleaguered Welsh squad redemption after losing six of eight internationals in 2023, while Fiji’s hopes of advancing already look dented for all their recent progress.
Victory was almost stolen at the end by the Pacific islanders who were fighting back from an 18-point deficit and could have completed an unlikely comeback before Fiji’s star centre Semi Radradra, knocked on with the tryline in sight.
Both teams scored four tries in a game full of line breaks, exciting running and bruising clashes that had the crowd on the edge of their seats, especially at the end as Fiji fought back from 32-14 down.
“We always seem to make it hard for ourselves, but what we make up for with effort and courage and determination is just huge for this team,” flyhalf Dan Biggar said after marshalling the Welsh resistance.
A winning start for @Welshrugbyunion 🏴#RWC2023 | #WALvFIJ pic.twitter.com/ByIKuZjxJi
— Rugby World Cup (@rugbyworldcup) September 10, 2023
Josh Adams, George North, Louis Rees-Zammit and Elliot Dee crossed over for Wales with Dan Biggar adding two penalties and three conversions while Waisea Nayacalevu, Lekima Tagitagivalu, Josua Tuisova and Mesake Doge were Fiji’s try scorers.
Wales attempted to create space for runners, with drilled pattern play and long passes, while Fiji simply tried to line up isolated defenders all night before side-stepping or smashing them.
Both sides’ centre pairings were prominent in a bruising first half. Wales sent North carving through the middle from a lineout play before recycling left to put Adams away in the corner for their first try.
It was North again for Wales’ second score, running a thundering direct line through the middle to collect a Nick Tompkins offload and go over.
But if Wales’ centres were on fire, Fiji’s were just as good for the two first-half scores that came between the Welsh tries.
Fiji coach Simon Raiwalui had urged his side before the game to “Play like Fijians” and his team took him at his word.
Outside centre Nayacalevu, England’s tormentor-in-chief in Fiji’s August 26 win at Twickenham, struck for the fourth game in a row here with frightening ease, blasting through an attempted Biggar tackle and running clear.
His centre partner Radradra then made a crunching break from a Nayacalevu offload, before cutting inside and offloading himself for flanker Tagitagivalu to score. However, Wales would not wilt under the pressure.
Adams exemplified their resilience with a thundering hit on Fiji’s winger Selesitino Ravutaumada in the 50th minute that left him flat on the deck and the Welsh bench roaring in defiance.
Wales then pulled away in the second half through scores from Rees-Zammit and replacement hooker Dee, and had appeared to wrest control of the clash, before a Fiji comeback sent the stadium into delirium.
With the score poised at 32-26 in favour of the Welsh and the clock in the red, neutral fan-favourites Fiji launched waves of rolling attacks as they sought victory.
But Radrada’s spill out wide in the clammy late night heat signalled it was not to be for Fiji, who must once again rue missed opportunities for all their scintillating play.
Wales next play Portugal on September 16 in Nice, while Fiji play Australia the next day in Saint-Etienne.
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Tributes have poured in after the son of former Chelsea star Eddie Newton was found dead alongside his friend following a hike in the UAE, where temperatures soared to 50C.
Cassius Newton, 34, and his friend Aran Martinson, 33, were found by rescuers on July 18 after setting out on a hike in the mountainous Wadi Naqab region.
The pair, from Dorset and Essex respectively, both lived and worked in the UAE. Their bodies were discovered between 3km and 4km from their vehicle.
According to a report, Chelmsford area coroner Michelle Brown said their provisional causes of death included cardiac and respiratory arrest.
Cassius, a non-league footballer, was the son of former Chelsea midfielder and coach Eddie Newton, who spent more than a decade with the club.
His wife was in the UK when she became concerned after Cassius failed to contact her following the hike and reported him missing.
The two men had been living at a luxury resort in Ras Al Khaimah.
Tributes after desert tragedy
Tributes poured in after the deaths.
Aran’s wife described him as “incredibly driven, hardworking and ambitious”, saying he had recently begun a new chapter in his career and was excited about the future.
Blackfield & Langley Football Club paid tribute to their former player, saying: “It is with heavy hearts that we share the sad news of the passing of former player Cassius Newton; our thoughts and deepest sympathies are with his family and friends during this difficult time.”
National League club Eastleigh, where Cassius had previously played, said it was “deeply saddened” by his death.
Chelsea connection
Cassius’ father Eddie Newton played for Chelsea from 1990 to 2001 and famously scored in the club’s 1997 FA Cup final victory.
The former midfielder also represented Cardiff City, Birmingham City, Oxford United and Barnet.
After retiring as a player, Newton moved into coaching, working as assistant manager at MK Dons and West Brom before returning to Chelsea.
He later served as assistant manager under Roberto Di Matteo and Rafael Benítez.
(With inputs from BBC, The Sun)
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