Wales equal record losing streak with Fiji defeat

Wales (14) 19

Tries: Murray, Penalty try, Bevan Con: Anscombe

Fiji (10) 24

Tries: Muntz, Tuisova Con: Muntz Pens: Muntz 4

Warren Gatland's Wales equalled the country's record losing international streak of 10 successive Test defeats after Fiji triumphed in Cardiff.

Fiji fly-half Caleb Muntz scored 19 points as the visitors sealed a first win in Wales, despite wing Semi Radradra receiving a first-half 20-minute red card for a dangerous tackle on full-back Cameron Winnett.

An ill-disciplined first half saw French referee Luc Ramos also show yellow cards to Wales flanker Tommy Reffell and Fiji number eight Elia Canakaivata.

Wales led 14-10 at half-time through a try for new cap Blair Murray and a penalty try but Muntz responded with a brilliant solo score.

Muntz' boot and a try from centre Joshua Tuisova stretched the lead, before replacement Ellis Bevan reduced the deficit with a third Wales try.

Any hope of a home revival was dashed by Muntz' late kick and Wales spurning a last-minute opportunity.

Wales head coach Gatland had indicated he hoped for ecstasy rather than agony this weekend but that was not to be the case and his position will come under scrutiny.

Welsh rugby is in crisis on and off the field and that is demonstrated by the record of the men's national side.

Sunday represented 400 days since Gatland's side last won a Test when they defeated Georgia in a World Cup pool match in Nantes in October 2023.

Nine international defeats have followed including a World Cup quarter-final exit against Argentina, also included a Six Nations wooden spoon with five defeats and summer losses against South Africa and Australia.

This reversal has seen this Wales crop equal the record low of 10 Test losses on the bounce set in 2002 and 2003 under Steve Hansen.

With Wales facing a rejuvenated Australia next Sunday before the arrival of world champions South Africa, Gatland's side face the grim prospect of not winning an international match in a calendar year for the first time since 1937.

In that year Wales only played three games but will be involved in 11 internationals in 2024.

For Fiji, it represented a second international win in 15 games against Wales to follow up the World Cup victory in 2007.

Wales: Winnett; Grady, Llewellyn, B Thomas, Murray; Anscombe, T Williams; G Thomas, Lake (capt), Griffin, Rowlands, Beard, Plumtree, Reffell, Wainwright.

Replacements: Elias, N Smith, Assiratti, Tshiunza, Botham, J Morgan, Bevan, Costelow.

Sin-bin: Reffell 15

Fiji: Karawalevu; Wainiqolo, Nayacalevu (capt), Tuisova, Radradra; Muntz, Lomani; Mawi, Ikanivere, Tawake, Nasilasila, Mayanavanua, Derenalagi, Salawa, Canakaivata.

Replacements: Matavesi, Hetet, Koroiduadua, Vocevoce, Tuisue, Kuruvoli, Ravula, Maqala.

Sin-bin: Canakaivata 18

Red card: Radradra 21

Referee: Luc Ramos (France)

Assistant referees: Pierre Brousset (France), Hollie Davidson (Scotland)

Television match official (TMO): Eric Gauzins.