Gatland braced for ‘tough, physical encounter’ against Fiji

Warren Gatland is preparing for another “tough, physical encounter” against the Fijians when his Welsh side opens their three match Autumn Nations Series at Principality Stadium on Sunday 10 November. 

Fiji will arrive in Cardiff 60 years on from their first visit and seeking their first win on Welsh soil. They will come as the newly crowned Pacific Nations Cup (PNC) champions following their final win in Japan over the Cherry Blossoms.

The last time the two teams met was at the World Cup 2023, when Wales triumphed 32-26 in a thrilling, down to the wire encounter in Bordeaux. That was the fifth time the two nations had clashed in the World Cup, with Wales winning four of the five.

But history will mean little or nothing next month when Fiji head coach Mick Byrne brings his team to Wales on the back of a year to date that has seen his side win five of their six Tests.

“It was an unbelievable match when we played them in the World Cup last year in Bordeaux. We were comfortably ahead with 20 minutes to go and they came right back at us and it went down to the final whistle,” recalled Gatland.

“They’re a team that have just won the Pacific Nations Cup so they’re on good form. We’re excited about it and it will be a real challenge for us – but a good first game to have with Australia and South Africa to follow.

“Wales v Fiji matches are always tough, always physical, and the Fijians have some unbelievable athletes who are incredibly explosive. A lot of them play in France and over the last few years they’ve been involved in Super Rugby Pacific, which has definitely developed their game.

“They’re definitely fitter than they were in the past, when they would have some magical moments and then slip in and out of games. They are now a team capable of playing for 80 minutes.

“They had a tough game against Japan in the PNC final. It was close for a long time and then they were able to take a few opportunities to win the game reasonably comfortably.

“They still have that incredible flair and ability to offload the ball, but they are a bit more structured than they were in the past. They’ve become more comfortable playing territory and that has enhanced their game over the past few years.”

Having retained their PNC title with dominant displays against Samoa (42-16), Tonga (50-19), the USA (22-3) and Japan (41-17), they will warm-up for their ninth Test match against Wales in Cardiff with an opening Autumn Nations Series clash with Scotland at Murrayfield on Saturday 2 November. After the 10 November date with Wales in Cardiff, Fiji  also play Spain and Ireland.

“Our World Cup game against Fiji last year was a stand-out game for me. We were excellent for 60 minutes, we controlled the game, we were comfortable and were 34-14 up, or something like that, and then we had a yellow card,” recalled Gatland.

“They came back at us and nearly won it at the death. It wasn’t a great game if you’re a coach watching on, but it was probably great for the neutral fans.

“It goes to show what talent they have, they’re a side that never gives up. I had that experience in Lautoka when I was involved with the Chiefs and we played in a very, very similar game.

“We were 33-17 up with seven or eight minutes to go and they scored a length-of-the-field try and then another try and we just hung on in the last couple of minutes. You have to expect the unexpected from them.

“They’re a team that just won’t go away and they’re capable of scoring from anywhere and from any situation. They’ll take risks, which sometimes gives you opportunities on which to capitalise, but when they break away they are extremely capable of finishing, as we’ve all seen in the Sevens programme.”