Following a 39-24 victory for Wales over Fiji in the Nations Championship on Saturday, here\u2019s our five takeaways from the fixture at Cardiff City Stadium.<\/p>\n
The top line<\/p>\n
Wales made it back-to-back international wins under Steve Tandy as they celebrated a much-needed triumph, scoring six tries to Fiji\u2019s three to secure a maximum haul.<\/p>\n
Jac Morgan (2), Rhys Carr\u00e9, Josh Adams, Ryan Elias and Eddie James crossed for tries, with Dan Edwards and Sam Costelow adding a total of nine points from the tee.<\/p>\n
Pita Gus Sowakula, Elia Canakaivata and Selestino Ravutaumada went over for Fiji<\/a> in what was a \u2018home\u2019 game for the islanders, who will rue their missed opportunities.<\/p>\n Indeed, they left plenty of points out on the field which is a credit to Wales<\/a>\u2018 last-ditch defence and work at the breakdown, with this a crucial victory for Tandy\u2019s outfit.<\/p>\n Flair v set-piece<\/p>\n It was very much a case of contrasting styles in this Test as Fiji adopted their usual free-flowing style that saw offloads galore and scintillating running while the Welsh enjoyed real joy at the set-piece, with both the scrum and lineout maul bearing fruit in the form of two first-half tries and three scrum penalties.<\/p>\n Fiji were a joy to watch every time they were in possession but somehow were held to just one try and 10 points in the opening half as Wales made vital interventions.<\/p>\n But, as mentioned, the Wales pack will be delighted with their efforts as Carr\u00e9 and co. enjoyed success at the scrum early on while Morgan\u2019s two scores came via the maul, as did Elias\u2019 second-half try on 67 minutes. The joy they had in this facet will give them confidence for the rest of the Nations Championship<\/a> month.<\/p>\n While Fiji did pick up a pushover try via the maul in the second period, defensively they were too passive in this area which will possibly alert England and Scotland.<\/p>\n Fiji v Wales: Result, match details, stats, line-ups<\/a><\/p>\n Ridiculous Rayasi<\/p>\n Box office. Salesi Rayasi brought his full box of tricks today as he caused the Welsh several issues with ball in hand, swerving, stepping and offloading at will. He was part of a ruthless back three that included Ravutaumada and Jiuta Wainiqolo, who were both lethal in possession when given a sniff, they were worth the entrance fee alone.<\/p>\n But it was Rayasi who really caught the eye as he ate up the ground and ghosted tacklers at times, whilst also giving Fiji a playmaking threat as he took on the defence.<\/p>\n His only blot on the copybook was a one-handed pass after cruising away from in-goal after being under pressure, possibly being a little too leisurely on this occasion.<\/p>\n Want more from Planet Rugby? Add us as a preferred source on Google to your favourites list<\/a> for world-class coverage you can trust.<\/p>\n Breakdown grit<\/p>\n Huge credit for this result should go to the Welsh effort at the breakdown as they regularly disrupted Fiji\u2019s flow and ultimately restricted the islanders to three tries.<\/p>\n The likes of Morgan and Aaron Wainwright were a nuisance on the ground and, coupled with the Welsh dominance at the scrum and maul, these three areas proved decisive. Even Tomos Williams threw his diminutive weight down the dark alleys and won his charges a relieving breakdown penalty as Wales frustrated the Fijians all afternoon.<\/p>\n It was visible the pride Tandy and his coaching team had in his side at the full-time whistle as they clearly executed the pre-game plan and got their rewards.<\/p>\n