Wales fans arrived at the Principality Stadium hoping for a morale-boosting win but returned disappointed as Fiji made history and their long wait for victory continued.
Blair Murray’s debut try gave the hosts the perfect start and by the time Wales were awarded a penalty they were 14-3 ahead and looked to be on course for a routine win.
But Fiji had other ideas and despite a flurry of first-half cards, Tommy Reffell and Elia Canakaivata being sent into the sin-bin and Semi Radradra upgrading yellow to red, the visitors grew into the contest.
Caleb Muntz took the lead with a couple of penalties after scoring a brilliant solo attempt. Josua Tuisova extended Fiji’s lead back to five points when he crossed the line before Muntz struck his fourth penalty of the day after Ellis Bevan had given Wales hope.
One of the statistics that sums up Wales’ afternoon was the 32 tackles missed in Cardiff. Here are the Wales player ratings:
Match Summary 
15. Cam Wynette – 5
It was thought he had scored Wales’ second try from close range early on, but was ruled out because Reffell received a yellow card.
He was unable to stop Muntz on a brilliant run towards the try line and was on the receiving end of a dangerous hit from Radradra. Provided an assist for Bevan’s try.
14. Mason Grady – 6
The injury forced him off less than 20 minutes into the game.
But he showed great touch in his limited time on the pitch and played a pivotal role in the move that set up Murray’s opening try.
13. Max Llewellyn – 5
It’s a solid afternoon, although not particularly notable in the centre. Like many of his team-mates, he performed well in the opening game but failed to regain control for the away side.
12. Ben Thomas – 4
A mixed game for the Cardiff men. A brilliant offload in a move that ended with Murray’s opening try but lacked composure as the game progressed.
They lost the ball early in the second half to deny Murray’s second attempt and were pushed aside by Tuisova’s line charge. His restart started right away.
11. Blair Murray – 7
He enjoyed a dream start to his Test debut, finishing off a good move from his team to score from the left corner after clearing out a difficult kick.
He thought he had scored his second goal early in the second half, but a further point earlier prompted his celebration. You can be satisfied with his personal performance.
10. Gareth Anscombe – 5
We started the game well and it was good when Wales had the upper hand. Fiji gained the upper hand and struggled to maintain control.
He passed forward while trying to release Ben Thomas on the left wing and missed a high ball forward around the hour mark. It was replaced shortly afterwards.
9. Thomas Williams – 6
As drive and confidence waned, he did everything he could to boost his side. In his 51st minute, it was 50-22 and the crowd went wild for a moment.
A few minutes later his lung-busting effort to charge Muntz resulted in him being rattled from behind by Taine Plumtree. Fiji thought it was their third attempt but was unceremoniously handed over in the build-up.
1. Gareth Thomas – 6
Muntz could do little midway through the first half as a gaping hole passed past him on his way to the try line.
A big strike came in the second half to prevent a Fiji counter-attack, but they were substituted early in the second for Wales to regain the lead.
2. Goddess Lake – 6
He made more carries than any other player in red during his time on the pitch, performed well with the ball in his hands and was solid at the lineout.
Lake was also tireless in defence, making 14 tackles before conceding a penalty for Muntz to put Fiji on the board.
3. Archie Griffin – 5
The tighthead prop was penalized in a scrum near the end of the first half and was one of three changes made at the start of the second half.
4. Will Rowland – 5
A reliable lineout option and willing runner, he recorded 10 carries during his time on the pitch. As Wales attacked deep inside the Fiji 22 early in the second half, Rowlands held on and was awarded a penalty.
He also did a decent amount of work defensively, completing 10 tackles.
5. Adam Beard – 6
He was a reliable pick in the lineout and did a great job in defense but was unable to turn the situation in Wales’ favor.
6. Thane Plumtree – 5
Completed more tackles than any other player on the pitch, but made more mistakes than anyone else.
While this is not unique, they lacked the discipline to keep the pressure on Fiji when it mattered.
7. Tommy Riffel – 4
Despite the bright start, it’s not the best day at the office. Reffell was sent to the sin-bin for a dangerous tackle in the 13th and he did not make the impact expected when he returned to the field.
Fiji clearly felt they had to upgrade their yellow card to a red and conceded a couple of penalties before being replaced by Jac Morgan early in the second half.
8. Aaron Wainwright – 5
Another player had the ball in his hands and tried to give Wales some momentum and a change in defence, but ultimately fell short.
punishment
16. Ryan Elias – 5
He didn’t do much wrong after coming on for the final play as Wales charged towards the Fijian line.
His knock-on ended the hosts’ chances of victory.
17. Nikki Smith – 5
I found myself in a difficult situation, and even though I hadn’t done anything wrong, I couldn’t turn it around.
18. Chiron Asirati – 5
Warren Gatland changed the entire front row in the 45th minute but the team’s fortunes remained unchanged while Asirati was on the pitch.
19. Christmas – 5
They were introduced in the final quarter as Wales trailed the game but failed to make the impression they had hoped for.
20. James Bottom – 6
Wales attempted to assert themselves against the visitors, but managed just four carries in 20 minutes on the Principality Stadium pitch.
21. Jack Morgan – 5
The flanker came on as a four-man substitute early in the second half but was unable to help swing the momentum in his team’s favour.
22. Ellis Bevan – 5
Although he scored just seconds after coming on as a second-half substitute, it was a highlight for him and Wales.
23. Sam Costello – 5
Grady’s injury forced him to play for over an hour, most of it in an unfamiliar position on the wing.
Tuisova was one of the players who suffered when she scored her own try and missed the conversion that would have leveled the scores late on. It improved when he went to flyhalf.
