Radradra and Hoyt ruled out of Nations Championship after Fiji's defeat to Wales

Fiji have lost Semi Radradra and Tim Hoyt for the remainder of the Nations Championship after both players were injured during Saturday’s 39-24 defeat to Wales at Cardiff City Stadium.

Radradra departed with a leg brace, while Worcester Warriors tighthead Hoyt was removed from the field on a medical cart. Head coach Senirusi Seruvakula confirmed both players are expected to be sidelined for at least six weeks.

“There will be no excuses,” said Seruvakula. “That’s why we selected a squad of 32 players. Injuries create opportunities for others to step up. We have another big game next week, and our focus now shifts to preparing for that.”

The losses, particularly Radradra’s, are a significant blow to a Fiji side that produced an encouraging attacking display in Cardiff despite the final scoreline. Fiji made the perfect start when No.8 Pita-Gus Sowakula crossed in the second minute, and the sides were level at 10-10 at half-time.

Wales pulled clear after the break, scoring two quick tries through Rhys Carre and Josh Adams to lead 22-10. Fiji responded through Elia Canakaivata and Selestino Ravutaumada to close to within three points at 25-22, but Wales ultimately held on, with Ryan Elias and Eddie James adding further tries to seal the result.

Seruvakula acknowledged that discipline and unforced errors had proved costly despite his side’s statistical dominance for stretches of the match.

“We started well, but we gave away some silly mistakes and penalties, and that cost us the game,” he said. “We felt we could build from that first try, but unfortunately we couldn’t finish some of the opportunities we created.”

Fiji now turn their attention to their second Nations Championship match against England at the Hill Dickinson Stadium in Liverpool, before facing Scotland at Scottish Gas Murrayfield in the third round of the competition.