Wales got off to a flying start, stringing together 19 phases in the Fijian 22 before strong defensive play saw the visitors clear their lines and win a penalty on halfway.
Seven minutes into a bustling encounter, some excellent phase play and skills from Welsh centre Ben Thomas allowed debutant Blair Murray to skate into the corner past Fijian defenders. Fly-half Gareth Anscombe added the extras, taking Wales to a 7-0 lead.
Fiji, however, struck back quickly. A penalty against captain Dewi Lake just over 40 metres out gave Fijian ten Caleb Muntz a chance to close the gap, and he slotted it through the posts to bring the score to 7-3. The TMO fed into the ref that there had been a tackle off the ball. Anscombe chose to kick to the corner and give Wales another attacking opportunity.
Wales built some solid phases, testing the Fijian defence, and a piercing attacking line from fullback Cameron Winnett saw him dive over the line untouched. However, the TMO intervened again, citing a clear-out by Tommy Reffell, resulting in a yellow card for the openside and the try being disallowed.
A recurring theme in the Autumn Nations Series has been players adjusting to changes in the kicking escort laws. Fiji were penalised for blocking the Welsh player, giving the hosts another chance to kick to the corner and set up an attacking lineout just five metres out.
A powerful Welsh maul was driven forward and illegally brought down by Elia Canakaivata. Referee Luc Ramos reached for his pocket again, awarding a yellow card and a penalty try, which left both teams with 14 players and extended Wales' lead to 14-3.
The TMO was active again, this time for a high tackle by Semi Radradra on Winnett. A quick review resulted in the Fijian winger receiving a yellow card pending a bunker review, reducing Fiji to 13 players.
From seemingly nowhere, Fijian fly-half Caleb Muntz stepped back inside, finding a gap in the Welsh defence. Pinning his ears back he crashed through two Welsh defenders to score and then converted his own try, narrowing the score to 14-10.
Following the try, the TMO reviewed Radradra’s yellow card and decided to upgrade it to a red, invoking the first-ever 20-minute red, which was selected in a set of law trials announced before the series. This action-packed fixture had all this drama within just the first 26 minutes.
After 19 phases of Fijian attack, the Welsh defence finally cracked, conceding a penalty that set up a Fijian lineout in the Welsh 22.
Another Welsh infringement led to a Fijian attacking lineout, and Ramos initially awarded a penalty try. However, the TMO once again intervened, citing a ‘shift drive’ penalty by Fiji, overturning the try and awarding a penalty to Wales, keeping the score at 14-10.
Anscombe then opted to end this chaotic half.
Fiji fired out of the blocks in the second half, taking the game to Wales, and once again the Welsh defence infringed, giving Muntz a shot at goal and an opportunity to extend both his and Fiji’s score. Muntz successfully took it, closing the deficit to one point: Wales 14-13 Fiji.
In the 47th minute, Fiji displayed typically strong attacking play, drawing another penalty against Wales. Muntz had a shot at goal from just inside the Welsh 22, putting Fiji into the lead for the first time and bringing the score to 14-16.
A relatively quiet start to the second half, in contrast to the frenzied first, was disrupted as Fiji broke free after some great defensive work to regain the ball. Following slick handling, centre Josua Tuisova charged through two Welsh defenders to score. Although the conversion was unsuccessful, Fiji's lead grew to 14-21.
After an infringement at the breakdown from Fiji, Wales opted for a kick to the corner, setting up an attacking opportunity in the visitors’ 22. Following a series of phases and smooth handling, replacement scrum-half Ellis Bevan scooted in for Wales. An unsuccessful conversion brought the score to 19-21 as the match headed into the last 15 minutes.
Adam Beard was penalised for blocking a Fijian player in the air, and Fiji chose to kick to the corner, aiming to seal the game and a historic win. However, the Welsh defence held strong, forcing a knock-on two metres out.
A soft offside penalty from Beard in his own 22 gave Fiji another chance to extend Fiji's lead. Muntz took it, putting Fiji five points clear of Wales.
In the 79th minute, a high tackle penalty gave Wales a last chance to steal victory at the death. An incredible kick from replacement Sam Costelow provided an attacking lineout 10 metres out from the Fijian line, but their defence held firm.
Fijian fly-half Caleb Muntz was named Player of the Match after scoring 19 points and controlling the game effortlessly, steering his team to an incredible victory.
It was a historic result for Fiji - their first at the Principality Stadium over Wales - bringing ecstasy for the tourists and agony for Wales, whose search for a win extended to 400 days and counting, now stretching to ten games on the bounce.
