Fiji v Wales result: Fiji hand Wales 10th straight defeat despite red card

Fiji's Jiuta Wainiqolo celebrates their side's win over Wales. Photo / Getty Images

First five-eighths Caleb Muntz has scored 19 points as Fiji pulled off their first-ever win in Wales, triumphing 24-19 at the Principality Stadium to consign their hosts to a record-equalling 10th straight test defeat.

With Australia visiting Cardiff next Monday, Wales now face the prospect of plunging to their worst-ever record run should they lose 11 in a row.

Muntz scored a superb individual try, which he converted, and put over four penalties for Fiji, who also scored a try through Josua Tuisova in Monday morning’s clash.

Wales, who made a promising start to the test, scored through new cap Blair Murray, substitute Ellis Bevan and a penalty try with a single conversion from Gareth Anscombe on his long-awaited return to the side.

Murray, who was preferred to Rio Dyer in the Wales line-up on the left wing, justified coach Warren Gatland’s faith with a sprint to the line to score a first try in the eighth minute.

Wales went over again in the 15th minute but Cameron Winnett’s effort was chalked off after a dangerous clear-out from Tommy Reffell in the build-up that earned the loose forward a yellow card.

Despite the disadvantage, Wales were awarded a penalty try four minutes later when Elia Canakaivata tried to pull down their driving maul, earning himself a 10-minute stay in the sin bin.

Fiji’s woes were extended in the 21st minute when key winger Semi Radradra was cautioned, upgraded soon after to red, for a high hit on Winnett.

Radradra was sent off as World Rugby trialled a new red-card protocol, enabling Fiji to bring on a player after 20 minutes had passed.

Despite being down to 13, Fiji scored with a break from Muntz, who cut through the middle and accelerated away from the defenders for a brilliant 24th-minute individual effort that reduced the home lead to 14-10.

Two minutes into the second half, Muntz reduced Wales’ lead to a single point when putting over a penalty, and then gave Fiji a 16-14 lead with another successful kick in the 49th minute.

Tuisova powered over for Fiji’s second try on the hour mark, as a box-kick set up a powerful attack at the Welsh line and silenced the home crowd.

Substitute Jac Morgan, making a first appearance since last year’s World Cup, helped to set up Wales’ third try five minutes later with a carry that stretched the visiting defence and once the ball went down the line allowed Bevan to go over and reduce Fiji’s lead to 21-19.

But it was the Pacific islanders who finished stronger, botching a chance for a third try with an errant pass six minutes from the end.

They had, however, a penalty advantage in the build-up and Muntz put over the close-in kick to leave Wales scrambling unsuccessfully in the closing stages to try to snatch the win, with Ryan Elias spilling the ball in their last attack.

Wales’ last victory was a 43-19 triumph over Georgia at last year’s World Cup, the game after they had also thrashed Australia.

Since then, they’ve been eliminated from the tournament by Argentina, suffered a Six Nations whitewash and mid-year losses to South Africa and twice to Australia.