Llanelli wing Mark Jones scored twice, with Rhys Williams, Sonny Parker, Gareth Thomas and Colin Charvis also touching down. Fiji conceded a penalty try to compound their difficult afternoon. In a tight first quarter, five penalties from the boot of Llanelli’s Stephen Jones gave Wales a 15-0 advantage.Â
When captain Charvis began the move that saw replacement Jamie Robinson streak through the Fiji defence, to pass to Cardiff team-mate Martyn Williams, who then passed to full-back Rhys Williams to score under the posts, the 30,000 plus Millennium Stadium crowd felt that Wales would win, and win comfortably.
Minutes later Wales scored a second scintillating try. Jamie Robinson fed Gareth Thomas, whose delayed pass to Rhys Williams sent the Cardiff full-back on his way. An astute pass from the No.15 to Mark Jones saw the Llanelli wing touch-down in the corner.
The second half saw a more open game, and five tries to Wales in what must be viewed as a statement of intent before next year’s Rugby World Cup. Had Stephen Jones remembered to put his kicking boots on in the second half, the score would have been even more convincing but despite conceding two second half tries, the 58-14 victory was certainly impressive and can leave no one with any doubts that the Wales challenge grows stronger by the game.
