Fiji may have had a 2007 in their sites in Oita. The Fijjians had played very well against Australia, their physicality and speed troubling Australia particularly early on. Wales had come off two strong performance a dismantling of Georgia before a titanic encounter with Australia left them in pole position in the group.
But it was the highly rated under dogs Fiji who started stronger, using their physicality for their first try allowing Radradda to bulldoze is way over before an incredibly well worked and planned second.
Fiji have held the ball for a period of time. Carrying hard and moving toward the centre of the pitch. The strong clearing work has trapped to Wales defenders close to the break down and is restricting welsh width. However they decide correctly to carry for one more phase.
While this allows the previously grounded Biggar back on to his feet, it plays a key role in preventing realignment. This is because the entire back five of the Welsh scrum have become engaged. James Davies, Moriarty and Navidii are on their feet still trapped on the wrong side of the break down. Whilst the lock pairing are competing over the ball having made a tackle. With both off their feet it means that the back row have to work hard to cover the ground.
The strong decoy run by Botia, means that Dan Biggar is taken out of the line, and means the rest of the welsh defence have to cover on a slower angle. Meanwhile the side where the ball is are sat really narrow. This allows the ball over the top. By allowing the ball over their heads, Fiji can deploy strong runners in the 5m channel and Wales are forced to make a retreating tackle. Whilst Adams should perhaps do better, the try comes from the isolation of 5 key players and then the recognition of space on the outside coupled with a powerful finish.
However, while it was definitely a close game, Fiji fell away after the bright patches. This allowed Wales to regain there composure and finish off tries. However more importantly they were able to exploit the gaps and create opportunities.
This wide angle shows the difference in the two teams level of physical fitness. While Wales have 2 distinct lines, Fiji are staggered and importantly the major gap is opposite Owen Watkin, who is carrying the ball. This means that with a strong carry he attacks the gap, and leaves Fiji struggling.
The double offload, first from Watkin and then Moriarty exacerbates the problem with Fiji having to commit players to the whole and unable to react to the dropped ball, expecting to tackle Wainwright. Instead Davies attacks into the space folding round and attacking just pst Moriarty. With Liam Williams next to him it creates an easy finish.
So whilst Fiji were in the contest and many welsh people were stressed and worried about the dreaded 2007 result, Wales’ fitness shone through and carried them to the line. However it should have caused some alarm to which Fiji were able to cut them open, the free flowing style similar to Wales’ quarter final opponents France.
Wales will be looking to restrict the forward momentum of France, having held Fiji to a rating of 56.3%. This however pales in insignificance to the Welsh need to keep the forward momentum high and really attack and deflate French hearts in the first 15 minutes.
The Fijiians can take heart from the performance at the World cup. They pushed both Tier One teams incredibly close whilst the defeat against Uruguay needs to be put in the context of fatigue. The overall structures and attack are there whilst the defence can hold on. The integral part to a possible for World Cup will be their fitness levels. They dropped off in both the games against Wales and Australia despite being dominant for swathes of the first half. So hopefully they can get this sorted and we see this truly global competition grow in terms of potential winners, not almost upsetters.
The Analysis Guy 