Fiji suffers heartbreaking 32-26 loss in RWC opener against Wales

The Fiji Water Flying Fijians suffered a heartbreaking 32-26 loss to Wales in their 2023 Rugby World Cup opener in Bordeaux this morning, as Semi Radradra dropped the ball just about 5 metres from the Welsh tryline.

Wales started the game strongly with a penalty to flyhalf Dan Biggar and a try to winger Josh Adams to lead 8-0.

However the Flying Fijians bounced back to score two converted tries to captain Waisea Nayacalevu and Lekima Tagitagivalu to take the lead 14-8.

Biggar converted another penalty before centre George North scored a converted try to regain the lead.

Wales came stronger in the second spell to score two tries to Louis Rees-Zammit and Elliot Dee after the Flying Fijians had a lapse of concentration in the first 20 minutes of the second half.

The Flying Fijians came back in the last 10 minutes of the game to score two tries to Josua Tuisova and Peni Ravai to reduce the deficit to 32-26.

Fiji had the chance to steal the win after the final siren had gone but it was unfortunate after centre Semi Radradra knocked the ball on.

Fiji will now take on Australia in the second RWC pool match at 3.45am next Monday.

RWC 2023 UPDATES: Fiji vs Wales

National anthem commences for both teams

0' : Kick-off

1' Wales gets a penalty, flyhalf Dan Biggar attempts a shot at goal. Kick successful. WAL 3-0 FIJ.

6' : Winger Josh Adams scores Wales first try. Conversion unsuccessful from Biggar. WAL 8-0 FIJ.

10' Fiji awarded a penalty. Flyhalf Teti Tela attempts a kick at goal and is unsuccessful. WAL 8-0 FIJ.

12' Fiji scores their first try througfh captain Waisea Nayacalevu. Frank Lomani successfully converts the try. WAL 8-7 FIJ.

14' Wales knocks the ball over. Scrum to Fiji in their own half. WAL 8-7 FIJ.

16' Flanker Lekima Tagitagivalu scores Fiji's second try. Lomani successfully converts. FIJ14-8 WAL.

20'Fiji knocks the ball on. Wales awarded the scrum inside their own 22m line. FIJ 14-8 WAL.

22' Wales awarded a penalty. Biggar attempts a kick at goal and is successful. FIJ 14-11 WAL.

28' Wales scores their second try to centre George North to regain the lead. Biggar successfully converts. WAL 18-14 FIJ.

34' Fiji knocks the ball on the try line by prop Eroni Mawi. WAL18-14 FIJ.

HALF TIME: Fiji 14-18 Wales

The Fiji Water Flying Fijians are currently trailing Wales 18-14 in their first Rugby World Cup game in Bordeaux.

Wales started the game strongly with a penalty to flyhalf Dan Biggar and a try to winger Josh Adams to lead 8-0.

However the Flying Fijians bounced back to score two converted tries to captain Waisea Nayacalevu and Lekima Tagitagivalu to take the lead 14-8.

Biggar converted another penalty before centre George North scored a converted try to regain the lead.

The second half is currently underway.

Stay with us for updates.

40' Second half kicks off!! WAL18-14 FIJ.

41' Fiji penalised. Biggar attepmts a kick at goal for Wales and is unsuccessful. score remains WAL 18-14FIJ.

47' Wales scores third try to Louis Rees-Zammit. Biggar converts. WAL 25-14 FIJ.

61' Fiji knocks the ball on right on the try line by Levani Botia. WAL 25-14 FIJ.

64' Fiji's Lekima Tagitagivalu yellow carded. Fiji reduced to 14-men. WAL25-14 FIJ.

65' Wales score their fourth try through replacement hooker, Elliot Dee. Biggar converts. WAL 32-14 FIJ.

68' Wales prop Corey Damachowski receives a yellow card as Wales reduced to 14-men. WAL 32-14 FIJ.

71' Josua Tuisova scores Fiji's third try. Tela converts. WAL 32-21 FIJ.

76' Ravai denied a try after a double movement. WAL 32-21 FIJ.

77' Fiji scores 4th try to Ravai. Tela misses the conversion. WAL 32-26 FIJ.

81' Fiji knocks the ball on through Semi Radradra. Games over. WALES 32-26 FIJI

Full Time Fiji 26-32 Wales