Staff Reporter.
Wales battled back to earn a stuttering victory over ill-disciplined, 14-man Fiji.
With Fiji leading 13-7, wing Eroni Sau was sent off for a reckless swinging arm on Johnny Williams in the 25th minute.
The visitors also picked up two yellow cards.
Hooker Ryan Elias scored twice with Kieran Hardy, Alex Cuthbert, Louis Rees-Zammit and Liam Williams also scoring as Wales finished strongly.
Wales host Australia next Saturday to end their autumn series, having lost to New Zealand and South Africa before overcoming Fiji.
The visitors underlined their attacking threat with two tries from Waisea Nayacalevu and 13 points from Ben Volavola, but will be left to rue their indiscipline with playing periods of the game with 13 men despite leading 10-0, 13-7 and 23-14.
Wales were sloppy and their attacking play lacked cohesion for long periods and were indebted to a sensational late score from wing Rees-Zammit, while full-back Liam Williams impressed on his international return and ran in the final try.
Wayne Pivac’s side will be grateful for the victory after two defeats but will require a marked improvement in the final autumn international against Australia next weekend.
“We made it hard for ourselves,” says Wales coach Pivac. “But this is what it’s all about. We had 17 or 18 players unavailable and it was a good experience for them to win a tight match.
“It’s something we’ve got to address [speaking about how his side played against 13 men]. It happened a couple of times in the Six Nations where we played against 14 men and we went off the boil. It’s a mental thing more than anything.”
Wales: L Williams; Cuthbert, Tompkins, J Williams, Rees-Zammit; Biggar, Hardy; Carre, Elias, John, Rowlands, Beard, Jenkins (capt), Young, Basham.
Replacements: Roberts, Thomas, Lewis, Tshiunza, S Davies, T Williams, Sheedy, Halaholo.
Fiji: Tuicuvu; Tuisova, Nayacalevu (capt), Botitu, Sau; Volavola, Lomani; Ravia, Matavesi, Doge, Ratuniyarawa, Mayanavanua, Tuisue, Kunavula, Mata.
Replacements: Togiatama, Mawi, Atalifo, Ratuva, Dakuwaqa, Matawalu, Naqalevu, Tuimaba.