Historic Victory in Bordeaux

Wales began their 2023 Rugby World Cup campaign with a vital 32-26 victory over Fiji in an entertaining clash in Bordeaux, putting aside a disappointing year of results to give themselves every chance of advancing to the quarter-finals.

Match Highlights and Key Moments

Wales built a commanding lead through tries from Louis Rees-Zammit and Elliot Dee, but Fiji mounted a fierce comeback with Josua Tuisova and Mesake Doge scoring in the final eight minutes. The Pacific islanders nearly completed an unlikely comeback from an 18-point deficit, but a crucial knock-on with the tryline at their mercy ended their hopes.

Record-Breaking Defense

Wales set a new Rugby World Cup tackle record during the match, completing an unprecedented 253 tackles in Bordeaux. This remarkable achievement surpassed the previous record of 218 tackles set by Georgia against Australia in 2019.

Tournament Implications

The victory represents a crucial turning point for Wales after losing six of eight internationals in 2023. The tournament’s structure means that two of Wales, Australia, Fiji, England, Argentina and Japan are likely to reach the semi-finals. Fiji will next face Australia on Sunday, September 17, in their second Rugby World Cup Pool C match at the Stade Geoffroy-Guichard in Saint-Etienne.

Historical Context

The match marked a significant milestone for Wales centre George North, who joined an elite Rugby World Cup club by participating in his fourth tournament. Only four other Welsh players have achieved this feat: Gethin Jenkins, Alun Wyn Jones, Gareth Thomas and Stephen Jones. At 31, North continues to be a crucial figure in head coach Warren Gatland’s plans.