Wales have opened their 2023 Rugby World Cup campaign with a hard-fought, nail-biting 32-26 victory over Fiji in Bordeaux this evening.
Warren Gatland's side scored four tries to pick up a crucial bonus-point win in their curtain-raiser in France, putting them on course to qualify from a competitive Pool C.
However, they were forced to hang on in the closing stages as Fiji scored two tries in the final seven minutes and squandered a golden opportunity to add a third that would have left them just needing to knock over the conversion to secure a dramatic and famous triumph.
Fiji remarkably went into the tournament as the top-ranked team in the group - ahead of both tier one nations Wales and Australia - thanks largely to their historic win over England in their final warm-up game.
Hopes were therefore high that they might be able to progress into the quarter-finals for only the second time, emulating the class of 2007, who beat Wales in their final pool match to knock the Welsh out of the World Cup the last time it was held in France.
Despite being the opener, this match had the potential to be almost as pivotal, and it was as tight as many predicted for much of the first half.
Josh Adams scored the first try of the contest after only seven minutes, but Fiji hit back with two tries in the space of four minutes through Waisea Nayacalevu and Lekima Tagitagivalu to take the lead.
A second Dan Biggar penalty and converted George North try ensured that Wales went into the break 18-14 ahead, and Louis Rees-Zammit's score early in the second half looked to have made things less nerve-wracking for Gatland's men.
Certainly, when Elliot Dee then burrowed over to extend Wales' lead to 18, it looked as though they had done enough to safely traverse a tricky opening test.
However, with the majority of the crowd cheering them on, Fiji began to lay siege to the Welsh line and gave themselves hope when Josua Tuisova touched down after 73 minutes.
Mesake Doge then went over with two minutes of the 80 remaining to secure a four-try bonus point for the Fijians, but they had their sights set on a bigger prize with momentum on their side.
A missed conversion from that try meant that they still needed a converted try to steal a one-point victory as the clock went red, but they looked destined to have that opportunity when the ball was flung out to Semi Radradra in space on the wing.
However, with the try-line gaping, Radradra fumbled the bouncing ball and knocked on to bring a heartbreaking end to the match for Fiji as Wales escaped with a huge five points that could have a decisive say on whether they make it through the group stages.
Fiji still picked up two losing bonus points in their valiant effort and will take plenty of positives into next weekend's likely must-win showdown against Australia, while Wales face expected Pool C whipping boys Portugal next Saturday.
Barney Corkhill
