Rugby World Cup: Wales overcome dogged Fiji to reach quarter-finals

It wasn’t pretty and the highly fancied Welsh had a scare, but the World No. 2 came from behind to account for a plucky Fiji in their Rugby World Cup Pool D clash.

Wales full-back Liam Williams feels the full force of Fiji scrum-half Frank Lomani. Picture: AFP

Winger Josh Adams scored a hat-trick as Wales prevailed 29-17 over Fiji, almost certainly ensuring Australia finish second in Pool D at the Rugby World Cup.

In a helter-skelter contest that recalled the famous Fijian upset in Nantes that bundled the Welsh out of the 2007 World Cup, the Pacific Islanders led 10-0 after nine minutes and again after a penalty try in the 54th minute.

Adams’s first two scores gave the Six Nations champions a 14-10 lead at halftime and his third, a brilliant flying finish in the left corner, put them back in front before a 69th minute Liam Williams try ultimately sealed the bonus point victory.

Welsh winger Josh Adams scores his second try against Fiji. Picture: AP

The Fijians, upset by Uruguay earlier in the tournament but inspired by standout winger Semi Radrada, kept running the ball until the final whistle but they now bow out of World Cup in the pool stage for the third successive edition.

Wales, who beat the Wallabies, will top the group if they beat Uruguay in their final pool match.

Australia play Georgia in its last pool game.

The Pool D winner advances to a quarter-final against the Pool C runner-up, at this stage likely to be France.

The Pool D runner-up is projected to get a tougher match against England, who are favoured to win Pool C by beating France on Saturday.

Wales full-back Liam Williams feels the full force of Fiji scrum-half Frank Lomani. Picture: AFP

Originally published as Rugby World Cup: Wales overcome dogged Fiji to reach quarter-finals