Price warns Wales: Fiji no easy opener

Wales can forget of a gentle introduction to the Nations Championship by playing the Flying Fijians at the Cardiff City Stadium on Sunday morning (Fiji time).

The warning came from former Wales and British & Irish Lions prop Graham Price.

The Wales Online columnist stated an opening fixture against Fiji is about as demanding as it gets, particularly when considering the selection of the Wales team as the combinations are continuing to develop.

“Confidence is still being built,” the 74-year-old wrote.

“There are easier places to begin a campaign than to face one of the world’s most unpredictable and dangerous sides.

“This is not simply because of the quality of the opposition, but because of the unique challenge they present. Few teams in world rugby can turn a loose ball or a missed tackle into seven points as quickly as Fiji.”

Price highlighted Wales opening match of the 2023 Rugby World Cup against Fiji, which was never going to be straightforward and so it happened.

“In the end, a 32-26 victory (for Wales) was enough to get the campaign off to the perfect start, but nobody leaving the stadium believed the road ahead would be easy.

“Fiji brought everything supporters have come to expect. Their running game was, as always, fearless, their off-loading instinctive and every turnover seemed capable of producing a try from somewhere nobody expected. When they found space, they looked capable of scoring from virtually anywhere on the field.”

Price said Fiji have long since moved beyond the stereotype of simply producing dazzling runners.

“In recent years they have added greater discipline, structure and physicality to complement their natural attacking instincts. Any team that underestimates them usually pays a heavy price.”

He said the game promises to be an entertaining contest between contrasting rugby philosophies.

Price said the battle up front could prove decisive.

“Wales will look to establish control through the set pieces and an intelligent and accurate kicking game, denying Fiji the loose, broken-field rugby they relish.

“If Wales can win the territorial contest and control the tempo, they have every chance of frustrating one of the game’s most exciting attacking teams.

“Stopping Fiji starts with denying them opportunities. Wales cannot afford loose kicks, speculative offloads or unnecessary turnovers.

“Fiji thrive on turnover ball and broken-field rugby, and once their dangerous runners gather momentum they are among the most difficult sides in the world to contain.”

Price added that Wales will hope organisation, patience and accurate execution can overcome Fiji’s flair and unpredictability.

However, he has warned Wales to watch their discipline because giving Fiji repeated opportunities through penalties is asking for trouble.

“This is simply their pace and power can punish even the smallest defensive mistake,” Price said.

The match kicks-off on Sunday at 1.10am.

Feedback: leonec@fijisun.com.fj