Tandy savours Wales's six-try rout of Fiji but warns of stern tests ahead

Wales ran in six tries to beat Fiji 39-24 at Cardiff City Stadium on Saturday, opening their Nations Championship campaign with a performance that head coach Steve Tandy described as “outstanding” — while quickly turning his attention to what lies ahead.

Jac Morgan crossed twice, with Rhys Carré, Josh Adams, Ryan Elias and Eddie James also touching down to give Wales their highest try tally in a Test since they last scored six against the same opponents in the 2021 Autumn series, also in Cardiff.

“Scoring six tries is outstanding for the boys and I love it when it comes from set-piece as well,” said Tandy. “It’s not exactly Fijian-style rugby, but it’s where we know tactically we are going into the game. The way the players go about the plan is outstanding and the bench also coming on makes a difference.”

The result extends a modest but meaningful winning run for a Wales side that had won only twice in 27 Tests — both against Japan — before successive victories over Italy, the Barbarians in an uncapped fixture, and now Fiji. Tandy was careful not to overstate the progress, however, with away trips to Argentina and South Africa looming.

“We’re going to savour the win, but we won’t be getting carried away as we’ve now got two unbelievable Tests with limited training,” he said.

Fiji were not without their moments, particularly in the first half, and Tandy acknowledged as much. “We spoke all week about Fiji having moments and they had more moments than we would have liked. But that’s Test match rugby. They’ve got some quality players littered around Europe playing in big teams. They’ve got power and pace but I loved the fact our boys kept climbing in — we controlled the second half, which was pleasing.”

Skipper Dewi Lake, who watches Cardiff City from the Canton End as a supporter, reflected on what the win meant to a squad still building its identity. “I know for some boys in that room it’s their first Test match win in a long time — maybe their first Test match win in the jersey at all. Building that experience of winning, and that feeling of winning becoming a habit for us, is really important.”

Fiji head coach Senirusi Seruvakula acknowledged his side’s failings. “We had a lot of opportunities in the first half and we thought we were on a roll. But we were unsettled at times and, full credit to Wales, they deserved that win.”

Fiji will be without centre Semi Radradra and prop Tim Hoyt for their upcoming matches against England and Scotland after the pair suffered ACL and calf injuries respectively, both requiring surgery.