Wales withstand Fijian hurricane
BRUISING BATTLE: GATLAND’S TROOPS SINK ISLANDERS
Wales weathered a furious Fijian onslaught to reach the Rugby World Cup quarterfinals yesterday, sending Australia through in the process.
With approaching Typhoon Hagibis threatening to cause havoc with this weekend’s final pool games, the Welsh found themselves in a storm of their own before emerging from a physical battering with a 29-17 bonus-point win.
The result guarantees Wales and Australia’s progress from Pool D, which the Welsh top by three points ahead of their remaining game against Uruguay. Australia play Georgia tomorrow.
“Look, that was tough. They’ve got some unbelievable individuals and we just had to stay in it,” said Wales coach Warren Gatland.
“We’ve got a tough four-day turnaround to Uruguay. I think the medics are going to be working pretty hard in the next 24-48 hours. But pleasing to get that bonus-point win,” he added.
The typhoon could also affect this weekend’s Formula One Japanese Grand Prix in Suzuka, west of Tokyo.
The western city of Oita was treated to an end-to-end clash marked by heavy challenges and a sickening, accidental blow to the head which ended Wales flyhalf Dan Biggar’s involvement.
Josua Tuisova smashed through three defenders to score Fiji’s first try before Kini Murimurivalu made it 10-0 after just eight minutes, with Ben Volavola missing both conversions.
But Josh Adams leapt high to gather Biggar’s cross-field kick and get Wales on the board, and he dotted down again to make it 1410 at the break as Tevita Cavubati and then Ken Owens spent time in the sin-bin.
In a breathless second period, Fiji were awarded a penalty try and Biggar was apparently knocked groggy after an aerial collision with Liam Williams.
Replacement No 10 Rhys Patchell kicked a long-range penalty to square it at 17-17 before Adams completed his hat-trick with an acrobatic touch-down in the corner. A Gareth Davies break through midfield released Williams to seal the win. – AFP