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Fiji vs Wales: Rugby League World Cup live scores, blog

5th November, 2017

LIVE SCORES

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Fiji vs Wales

2017 Rugby League World Cup, November 5

Townsville Stadium, Townsville, QLD
Fiji Wales
72 SCORE 6
14 Tries 1
8 Conversions 1
0 Penalty Goals 0
0 Field Goals 0
Kick-off: 7:30pm (AEDT)
Venue: Townsville Stadium
TV: Live, Channel 7
Online: Live, 7live
Betting: Fiji $1.01, Wales $40
Overall record: Never played
Referee: Chris Kendall

Fiji
1. Kevin Naiqama 2. Suliasi Vunivalu 3. Taane Milne 4. Akuila Uate 5. Marcelo Montoya 6.Jarryd Hayne 7. Henry Raiwalui 8. Ashton Sims 9. Apisai Koroisau 10. Eloni Vunakece 11.Viliame Kikau 12. Brayden Wiliame 13. Tui Kamikamica
Interchange: 14. Joe Lovodua 15. Jacob Saifiti 16.Junior Roqica 17. Ben Nakubuwai 18. James Storer 19. Pio Seci 20. Salesi Faingaa 21.Sitiveni Moceidreke

Wales
1. Elliot Kear 2. Rhys Williams 3. Michael Channing 4. Christiaan Roets 5. Regan Grace 6.Courtney Davies 7. Danny Ansell 8. Craig Kopczak 9. Steve Parry 10. Phil Joseph 11. Rhodri Lloyd 12. Joe Burke 13. Morgan Knowles
Interchange: 14. Matty Fozard 15. Matthew Barron 16. Ben Evans 17. Dalton Grant 18. Josh Ralph 19. Ben Morris 20. Gavin Bennion 21. Andrew Gay
Fiji has advanced to the next stage of the 2017 Rugby League World Cup. (NRLPhotos)
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5th November, 2017
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After a dominant opener, Fiji will be looking to all but confirm their spot in the finals of the Rugby League World Cup when they take on a struggling Wales in Townsville. Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from 7:30pm (AEDT).

Fiji took on the United States of America last week at the same venue and put the pedal to the metal, smacking them for a 46-point victory.

The Bati ran up a half-century on the USA and it could have been plenty more given they had 20 points on the board in the first quarter of an hour and seven tries by halftime.

It was an attacking masterclass from the flying Fijians, with Jarryd Hayne, Henry Raiwalui, Apisai Koroisau and fullback Kevin Naiqama leading the way.

However, it was a quiet second half. The game was already over, which could go some way to explaining why, but there is an element of concern that the Fijians couldn’t maintain the rage for 80 minutes.

They may well need to do that against Wales as well, who are now in a fight for survival, needing to win big and have results go their way.

Wales were smoked in their opener against Papua New Guinea last week. Playing in Port Moresby is going to prove to be one of the biggest challenges throughout this World Cup, but the nature of a damning 50-6 scoreline suggests the Dragons simply aren’t up to the task of playing on the global stage.

The question now is whether they can get back up and play more positive rugby league. It’s going to be sapping heat again in Townsville, something obviously not favouring Wales, but they have to find a way to adapt.

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Put simply, their defence was woeful and if they play like that again, Hayne – with lethal combinations on either edge featuring the NRL’s top try-scorer Suliasi Vunivalu and boom rookie Marcelo Montoya – will have a field day.

The key for Wales is fullback Elliott Kear, who worked hard in Port Moresby without much luck, as well as captain Craig Kopczak, who must put in an improved performance up front.

Prediction
Fiji shouldn’t have too many problems accounting for the Welsh, but don’t expect them to put in a performance as weak as they did last week – they are a better side than that.

Fiji by 16.

Be sure to join The Roar for live coverage of this crossover match from 7:30pm (AEDT) and don’t forget to add a comment in the section below.

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