Flying Fijians pull off a historic finish to beat Wales 24-19

The Fiji Water Flying Fijians have pulled off a historic 24-19 win over Wales in their second match of the Autumn Series at the Principality Stadium this morning.

This is the first time for Fiji to beat Wales in Cardiff.

Swire Shipping Fijian Drua flyhalf Caleb Muntz was the toast of the Flying Fijians side as he scored a total of 19 points through a try, a conversion and 4 penalty kicks at goal.

Wales took an early lead after winger Blair Murray scored a converted try before Muntz converted a penalty to trail 7-3 in the first 10 minutes of the match.

Wales extended their lead to 14-3 after they were awarded a penalty try in the 19th minute following an infringement by Fiji’s number 8 Elia Canakaivata who was then yellow carded for it.

Muntz then pulled off a well-worked try in the 24th minute after a beautiful break inside Wales’ territory and converted his own try to help Fiji trail 14-10.

Fiji was further reduced to 13 men after Semi Radradra was yellow carded for a head contact while going in for a tackle which was then upgraded to a red card after further review by the TMO.

Wales held a slight 14-10 lead at the break.

Fiji started the second half strongly and scored 11 points through two penalty kicks by Muntz and an unconverted try to centre Josua Tuisova to take a 21-14 lead.

Wales replied in the 65th minute with an unconverted try to Ellis Bevan to trail 21-19 before Muntz put the final nail in the coffin with a penalty kick at goal in the 74th minute.

Wales had a chance to steal the game at the stroke of fulltime but knocked the ball on inside Fiji’s 5-metre line after a great defensive effort from the visitors.

The win is Fiji’s second victory over Wales in 15 matches and the first since 2007.

Fiji will now turn their focus to their 3rd Autumn Series match against Spain at 2am Sunday at Valladolid, Spain.

Match Updates:

0' Wales kick off the first half of the match. FIJ 0-0 WAL

4' Fiji wins a penalty inside Wales' territory. FIJ 0-0 WAL

6' Wales turn the ball over after few phases of attack from Fiji. FIJ 0-0 WAL

7' TRY!! Blair Murray scpres Wales' first try with the conversion to come. FIJ 5-0 WAL.

8' Murray's try was successfully converted. FIJ 7-0 WAL

10' Fiji wins a penalty, and opts to kick for goal. 7-0 WAL

11' Caleb Muntz successfully converts a penalty kick at goal. FIJ 3-7 WAL

14' TRY!! Wales scores their second try through fullback Cam Winnett to extend their lead. Converision to come. FIJ 3-12 WAL

15' Referee reverses the decision after a TMO review and awards Fiji a penalty while Wales' flanker Tommy Reffell is yellow carded. FIJ 3-7 WAL

18' Referee goes to the TMO to check Wales' grounding on the tryline after a pushover maul from a lineout. FIJ 3-7 WAL

19' Fiji now reduced to 14 men after number 8 Elia Canakaivata is yellow carded for an infringement. Wales awarded a penalty try in the process. FIJ 3-14 WAL

21' Fiji reduced further to 13 players after Semi Radradra receives a yellow card for a head contact in a tackle. FIJ 3-14 WAL

24' TRY!!! Fiji scores their first try through Caleb Muntz. Conversion successful. FIJ 10-14 WAL

29' Radradra's yellow card has been upgraded to a red card after reviews from the TMO.  FIJ 10-14 WAL

39' TRY!!! Fiji has been awarded a penalty try from the rolling maul. FIJ 17-14 WAL.

39' Refree reverses the decision and gives Wales a penalty for an infringement by Fiji.  FIJ 10-14 WAL

Halftime: FIJI 10-14 WALES

40' Fiji kicks off the second spell.  FIJ 10-14 WAL

41' Muntz converts a penalty to bring Fiji closer to Wales.  FIJ 13-14 WAL

47' Fiji awarded a penalty inside Wales' 22 metre line. They opt for a kick at goal.  FIJ 13-14 WAL

48' Muntz successfully converts the penalty to put Fiji in the lead.  FIJ 16-14 WAL

55' Great defence from Fiji inside their own half. Scrum awarded to them after Wales knocks the ball on.  FIJ 16-14 WAL

60' TRY!!! Josua Tuisova scores Fiji's second try to extend their lead with the conversion unsuccessful.  FIJ 21-14 WAL

65' TRY!! Ellis Bevan scores Wales' 3rd try in the corner with the conversion unsuccessful. Fiji still leads. FIJ 21-19 WAL

73' TRY!!!! Fiji scores their 3rd try of the match through Fullback Vuate Karawalevu with the conversion to come. FIJ 26-19 WAL

74' Referee reverses the decision after a TMO review that saw Muntz giving a forward pass to Karawalevu.FIJ 21-19 WAL

74' Fiji is awarded a penalty from an advantage and Muntz successfully converts a penalty to extend their lead. FIJ 24-19 WAL

80' Fiji pulls off a dramatic finish here at the Principality Stadium.