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NANTES - Fiji coach Ilie Tabua admitted that the enormity of his side's achievement in defeating Wales 38-34 to reach the quarter-finals of the World Cup hadn't sunk in.
Fiji advanced to the last eight for the first time in 20 years following a game destined to be
remembered as a classic both for its nine tries and the shock of seeing a Pacific Island side upset one of rugby union's established senior nations.
But when prop Graham Dewes went over three minutes from time it put Fiji, who had been 25-10 ahead at the break after a sensational first-half scoring burst which saw 25 points come in just nine minutes, four points in front to give them a lead they clung onto tenaciously in the closing stages.
"It hasn't actually sunk in yet," Tabue said at the Stade de la Beaujoire. "Our goal was to get to the quarter-finals, to achieve it was an amazing feeling... I know it's early morning (in Fiji) but I know the whole of Fiji is awake."
Fiji captain Mosese Rauluni added: "It's probably one of the greatest victories, Fiji has ever had.
"We set a goal before we started to get into top eight. But we've said to the boys the job's not over. We've got other things to strive for," the halfback said of the October 8 quarter-final against South Africa in Marseille.
Wales coach Gareth Jenkins, with his team not into the last eight for the first time since the 1995 World Cup, knows he faces a fight to stay in his job.
The former Llanelli boss, who had won just six of his 20 matches as Wales coach since succeeding 2005 Grand Slam winning chief Mike Ruddock last year, was already under pressure heading into the World Cup.
However, Jenkins, whose contract runs until April, said: "Personally my ambition is to continue coaching Wales. I did say I want to be judged on the World Cup but there are positives as well as negatives.
"We have played against a side (Fiji) that can threaten anybody on their day and they had a special day. We knew they had this type of game in them and unfortunately it happened today."
Wales actually went ahead inside the final 10 minutes thanks to a try from Martyn Williams which put them three points in front.
But they couldn't hold on and Jenkins said: "We didn't have enough ball to tactially manage the game in those last eight or 10 minutes."
Wales captain Gareth Thomas, winning his 100th cap for his country, indicated the match could mark the end of his Test career.
"I love being Welsh and playing rugby. I'll never retire but Welsh rugby has to move on."
Fiji, although outscored five tries to four, were always in the game thanks to the goalkicking of Nicky Little while Wales squandered 10 points through off-target efforts.
But the one downside to Fiji's day was the sight of first five-eighths Little, who kicked 18 points, being stretchered off in extra-time with what looked like a serious knee injury.
"He's been taken to hospital and we will assess the medical report later," Tabua said.
- AFP
