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Wales hold off fighting Fiji

Cape Town - Wales on Thursday saw off a very spirited Fijian side at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff to run out 23-13 winners. 

As it happened: Wales v Fiji

The home side, roared on by a frantic crowd, started out extremely strongly and spent most of the opening 5 minutes of the match in the Fijian half.

They were rewarded with a converted try by scrumhalf Gareth Davies and by half-time had built up a comfortable 17-6 lead after a further converted try by Scott Baldwin and a Dan Biggar penalty. Fiji's points came through two Ben Volavola penalties.

In the second half, Fiji produced some thrilling running rugby and were rewarded with a converted try to Vereniki Goneva which closed the gap to 17-13. Wales kept the scoreboard ticking over through the accurate boot of flyhalf Dan Biggar as he added two further penalties to extend the Welsh lead to 10 points. 

Despite numerous attacking opportunities for both sides, not further points followed and Wales have all but now qualified for the Rugby World Cup quarter-finals. 

Scorers

Wales:

Tries:  Gareth Davies, Scott Baldwin

Penalties: Dan Biggar

Conversion: Dan Biggar (2)

Fiji:

Tries: Vereniki Goneva

Penalties:  Ben Volavola (2)

Conversion: Ben Volavola

Teams

Wales:

15 Matthew Morgan, 14 Alex Cuthbert, 13 Tyler Morgan, 12 Jamie Roberts, 11 George North, 10 Dan Biggar, 9 Gareth Davies, 8 Taulupe Faletau, 7 Sam Warburton (captain), 6 Dan Lydiate, 5 Alun Wyn Jones, 4 Bradley Davies, 3 Tomas Francis, 2 Scott Baldwin, 1 Gethin Jenkins

Substitutes: 16 Ken Owens, 17 Aaron Jarvis, 18 Samson Lee, 19 Luke Charteris, 20 Justin Tipuric, 21 Lloyd Williams, 22 Rhys Priestland, 23 James Hook

Fiji:

15 Metuisela Talebula, 14 Timoci Nagusa, 13 Vereniki Goneva, 12 Lepani Botia, 11 Aseli Tikoirotuma, 10 Ben Volavola, 9 Nemia Kenatale, 8 Netani Talei, 7 Akapusi Qera (c), 6 Dominiko Waqaniburotu, 5 Leone Nakarawa, 4 Tevita Cavubati, 3 Manasa Saulo, 2 Sunia Koto, 1 Campese Maafu

Substitutes: 16 Viliame Veikoso, 17 Peni Ravia, 18 Leeroy Atalifo, 19 Nemia Soqeta, 20 Malakai Ravulo, 21 Henry Seniloli, 22 Joshua Matavesi, 23 Kini Murimurivalu

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