Wales 34 Fiji 38
KEY POINTS:
NANTES - Fiji beat Wales 38-34 in one of the most thrilling World Cup matches of all-time at the Stade de la Beaujoire here this morning to secure a first quarter-final place in 20 years.
After arguably the biggest World Cup upset since fellow Pacific Islanders Samoa beat
the Welsh in 1991, Fiji will now face South Africa in the last eight in Marseille on October 8.
Fiji turned round with a 25-10 half-time lead all their first-half points coming in an astonishing nine-minute burst.
But in a free-flowing match Wales hit back with three tries in six minutes early in the second-half when Fiji were down to 14 men to go ahead in a breathtaking match.
However, Fiji prop Graham Dewes scored the last of the game's nine tries of a match where missed goalkicks cost Wales dear just four minutes from time.
By contrast Fiji first five-eighth Nicky Little kicked 18 points.
Fiji then held on to record their first win against Wales in nine attempts. It was a reverse that is bound to heap pressure on Wales coach Gareth Jenkins, for whom quarter-final qualification was the minimum target.
It was actually Wales, whose captain Gareth Thomas was winning his 100th cap for his country, who took the lead in the fourth minute when outside-half Stephen Jones kicked a penalty.
Fiji began their remarkable scoring sequence in the 16th minute.
Brilliant handling at pace saw full-back Kameli Ratuvou link with centre Seru Rabeni who found his No 15 before Ratuvou released Isoa Neivua as the left wing sped into the Wales 22.
A retreating Welsh defence couldn't get realigned in time and flanker Akapusi Qera made sure his backs' work wasn't wasted by crossing for a try which Little converted.
Minutes later Fiji had their second try when right wing Vilimoni Delasau chased his own kick down the touchline, got a kind bounce which saw the ball evade both opposing wing Mark Jones and Stephen Jones.
Video referee Carlo Damasco of Italy ruled the wing had touched the ball down before crossing the dead-ball line and although Little missed the difficult conversion, Fiji were 12-3 ahead.
But the No 10 made no mistake with a long-range penalty from just inside the half-way line before knocking over an easier chance to extend Fiji's lead.
Wales, who had overwhelming superiority at the scrum, were being out-run in open play and more fine play, this time between Qera and Bai, led to a try for lock Kele Leawere.
Eventually, Wales saw their scrum strength lead to a pushover try for No 8 Alix Popham in the 34th minute which centre James Hook converted.
In a frantic match, Fiji were reduced to 14 men on the stroke of half-time when Qera was yellow-carded for kicking out.
But Hook missed the seemingly routine penalty.
Further thrills then came in the 45th minute when a dashing Shane Williams, from the edge of his own 22, scored a superb solo try which twice saw him sidestep the Fiji defence before an extravagant dive over the line.
Wales captain Thomas then crowned a fine move which stretched the Fiji defence before the backs, with Hook again playing an important role, created an overlap for Mark Jones.
Stephen Jones, who saw his conversion of Williams's try hit the post, added the extras for Thomas's score and Wales suddenly found themselves ahead.
But a Little penalty cut Wales's lead to a point only for the stand-off to see another effort fall agonisingly short just before the hour mark.
However, a brilliant counter-attack launched by Ratuvou which released Delasau, who over-complicated a potential try-scoring chance.
But Wales were penalised and Little made them pay to give Fiji a two-point lead at 31-29.
Mark Jones's clever-kick set up a lineout close to Fiji's line but brilliant defence held up Wales, who were inches away from a try.
And with just nine minutes remaining it needed a brilliant last-ditch tackle from Gareth Thomas to deny Bai a try although Damasco, who played a key role, had to rule in Wales's favour.
An incredible match then took yet another twist when Martyn Williams intercepted Little's pass for a 73rd minute try.
Even more astonishingly, Stephen Jones then hit the post again with the conversion and Wales were just 34-31 ahead.
Still Fiji came again and Delasau was held up just short. But a forward surge was rewarded when, in the 76th minute and after several minutes of replay study, Dewes was awarded a close range try which Little converted.
- AFP
