Rugby World Cup: Wales hang on against brave Fiji to go top of pool A’s “Group of death”

WALES won its third straight game at the Rugby World Cup, digging deep to beat Fiji 23-13 on Thursday and move to the brink of qualification from Pool A.

CARDIFF, WALES - OCTOBER 01: Gareth Davies of Wales scores a try during the 2015 Rugby World Cup Pool A match between Wales and Fiji at the Millennium Stadium on October 1, 2015 in Cardiff, United Kingdom. (Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images)

WALES won its third straight game at the Rugby World Cup, digging deep to beat Fiji 23-13 on Friday morning (AEST) and move to the brink of qualification from Pool A.

The Welsh will be guaranteed a spot in the quarter-finals if England loses to Australia on Sunday morning (6am AEDT).

The English would then be eliminated from their home tournament.

On a five-day turnaround from a memorable 28-25 win over England, Wales held up well against Fiji’s adventurous, dynamic game and led 17-6 at half-time through tries from Gareth Davies and Scott Baldwin.

Center Vereniki Goneva finished off a 70-meter break to move the Fijians to within four points, but two penalties from fly-half Dan Biggar pushed a tiring Wales side clear again.

Wales leads the group on 13 points, four points clear of Australia and seven further in front of England.

Gareth Davies scored an early try for Wales during their 10 point victory over Fiji.

Fiji has been something of a troublesome rival for the Welsh, beating them in the 2007 World Cup and drawing 16-16 at Millennium Stadium in 2010.

That history, combined with Wales’ short turnaround from Twickenham and a growing injury toll, meant the ingredients were there for an upset in Cardiff.

But the Welsh produced a professional display, taking an 11-point lead by halftime that could have been bigger had they not wasted a couple of scoring chances after breaks from halfway.

They settled for Davies’ show-and-go from two meters out in the seventh minute, which capped a dominant start to the match from Wales, and Baldwin’s close-range try in the 32nd at the end of a move started by Biggar’s delayed pop-pass in midfield.

Dan Biggar (R) leaves the pitch following an injury during Wales’ win over Fiji at Millennium Stadium, Cardiff.

Tension mounted in the second half from the moment Goneva finished off one of the tries of the tournament in the 49th, which came immediately after Ben Volavola missed a penalty.

Winger Asaeli Tikoirotuma - who tourmented Wales all night - palmed off prop Gethin Jenkins and burst through from his own quarter. After a couple of offloads, a rampaging Goneva cut inside 10 meters out and forced his way over.

Volavola’s conversion trimmed the gap to four points.

Two more penalties from Biggar - the first from near halfway - gave the Welsh precious breathing space but they struggled to subdue the Fijians, whose offloading, sidesteps and dynamism were stunning at times.

Fiji has failed to earn a single point from games against England, Australia and Wales, despite impressive displays in all three.

They were applauded by Wales fans as they did a lap of the field after the final whistle.

Fiji players salute the crowd at Millennium Stadium in Cardiff following their 23-13 loss to Wales.

Originally published as Rugby World Cup: Wales hang on against brave Fiji to go top of pool A’s “Group of death”