Rugby World Cup: Wales survive scare to beat Fiji

  • 10/10/2019

Winger Josh Adams scored a hat-trick as Wales prevailed 29-17 over Fiji, almost certainly ensuring Australia finish second in Pool D at the Rugby World Cup.

In a helter-skelter contest that recalled the famous Fijian upset in Nantes that bundled the Welsh out of the 2007 World Cup, the Pacific Islanders led 10-0 after nine minutes and again after a penalty try in the 54th minute.

Adams's first two scores gave the Six Nations champions a 14-10 lead at halftime and his third, a brilliant flying finish in the left corner, put them back in front before a 69th minute Liam Williams try ultimately sealed the bonus point victory.

The Fijians, upset by Uruguay earlier in the tournament but inspired by standout winger Semi Radrada, kept running the ball until the final whistle but they now bow out of World Cup in the pool stage for the third successive edition.

Wales, who beat the Wallabies, will top the group if they beat Uruguay in their final pool match.

Australia play Georgia in their last pool game.

The Pool D winner advances to a quarterfinal against the Pool C runner-up, at this stage likely to be France.

The Pool D runner-up is projected to get a tougher match against England, who are favoured to win Pool C by beating France on Saturday.

Wales 29 (Josh Adams 3, Liam Williams tries Daniel Biggar 2, Rhys Patchell cons Patchell pen) 

Fiji 17 (1 penalty try) (Kini Murimurivalu, Josua Tuisova tries)

Join us at 11:15pm Friday for live updates of the Wallabies' v Georgia Rugby Rugby World Cup clash.

Reuters