Rhodri Jeremiah, sky Sports Rugbys resident stats ace, takes a closer look at the stats out of Wales thrilling 29-17 Rugby World Cup triumph over Fiji.
When Welsh fans hear that the word Fiji, they instinctively think of Nantes in 2007 if their countrymen lost 38-34 in the pool stages of this World Cup in Stade de la Beaujoire.
Eight minutes later Warren Gatlands side were 10-0 back and it seemed like deja vu. However, theres a difference with this Wales facet compared to 2007. They know how to win, albeit ugly.
Everyone loves seeing Fiji play, not against the country theyre currently supporting. They play with such an exciting new rugby – and they always look threatening with ball in handfrom within their own 22.
In attack, Fiji left 117 conveys and 465 metres, beating 32 defenders along the way. Wales, in comparison, made fewer conveys (83), fewer metres (384) and beat fewer defenders (19).
Fiji flyer Semi Radradra has been named player of the game, despite being on the losing side – an extremely unusual occurrence nowadays. But Radradras operation was unique, that Wales hat-trick hero Josh Adams created the quality.
Radradra, who plies his trade by Bordeaux-Begles in the Top 14, created the most conveys (18), second most lawns (124) and conquer seven defenders. He was also player of the match in Fiji pool conflict against Georgia. In that game, he also scored two made five clean rests efforts and ran for 177 yards. He actually is a joy to see.
Fiji offload at will and Leone Nakarawa offload in the lead-up into the opening attempt was a collectors item. Even the second-row offloaded three occasions in the match – the most.
To Fiji, Wales have not dropped since that defeat at Nantes in 2007. Theyve faced each other on four events, discounting Wednesday, and also have won three and drawn one. Normality was being restored, After Adams spanned after 17 minutes for his first try. Wales were beginning to take to quote Warren Gatlands famous expression, his team haveforgotten how to lose.
Jonathan Davies, dan Biggar and Liam Williams were standout actors on Wednesday. All three are leaders they understand that if the going gets tough, they do what they do and revert to type. Biggar had a game with the boot, but not only but additionally with ball in hand. Some may say the outcome would have been different when Fiji 10 Ben Volavolad had the kicking boots of Biggar , as he missed his kicks both off the tee.
Davies and Adams functioned for the key third attempt which put Wales on course for success – Davies with his trademark hand-off and a super offload for Adams to finish in the corner.
Williams had a good game in the 15 top which makes the 2nd most carries (14), many yards (141) and scoring the most bonus-point clinching try.
Wales defence coach Shaun Edwards would not have been happy. They made 126 tackles however for him, they overlooked 32.
This isnt the first time Wales have missed over 30 tackles in games that are recent. Against Australia, they missed 31, plus they also missed the exact identical amount in the first World Cup warm-up fixture against England. Against Scotland they missed 36 From the Six Nations. That can be one that needs rectifying when they are to progress in the contest and a worrying trend for almost any Welsh fan.
Wales play Uruguay on Sunday in their final pool fixture, and they will be facing France from the quarter-finals Sunday week at Oita if that outcome goes their way.
All of Wales will hope there isnt a repeat of that opening 40 in Paris in the most recent meeting with Les Bleus, when they went into the rest 16-0 down. It will be a case of deja vu if this comes to pass.
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