Search icon

Sport

01st Oct 2015

Wales 23 – 13 Fiji: Player ratings

Kevin Beirne

Wales overcame Fiji 23-13 in an exciting game at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff.

After building a 17-3 half-time lead, Wales tired after the break as Fiji found ways to stretch them.

Here’s what we thought of the Welsh players:

15. Matthew Morgan – 7

Made some exciting runs and did enough in defense to put Welsh minds at ease for now.

14. Alex Cuthbert – 6

You can see him trying to get back to the form of 2013 but it’s just not happening at the moment.

13. Tyler Morgan – 5

Made some nice breaks but was often missing in defense.

12. Jamie Roberts – 6

An unspectacular performance. He has yet to light up the tournament.

11. George North – 7

Made some strong runs and looked more like his usual self.

10. Dan Biggar – 8

The absence of Leigh Halfpenny has given Biggar the chance to prove himself as a top-class flyhalf without having to face questions over his goalkicking.

9. Gareth Davies – 9

One of the stand-out players of the tournament so far. His four tries in three games makes him the surprise leading try-scorer after three matches.

8. Taulupe Faletau – 6

We’ll give him the benefit of the doubt and say he was tired from the England game.

7. Sam Warburton – 5

A poor performance in which Fiji won numerous penalties at the breakdown.

6. Dan Lydiate – 5

It is amazing that Gatland did not give one of his back-rowers a rest with Justin Tipuric sitting on the sidelines.

5. Alun Wyn Jones – 7

Warburton might be the official captain, but Alun Wyn Jones continues to be the heartbeat of this Welsh pack.

4. Bradley Davies – 6

Played most of the game with a face covered in blood. Gave away some stupid penalties and was lucky to escape without a yellow card.

3. Tomas Francis – 4

Was lucky that John Lacey seemed unwilling to call any penalties at scrum time. Welsh fans should be praying Samson Lee can come back for next weekend.

2. Scott Baldwin – 5

Finished his try well but the way the scrum was dominated will be a worry.

1. Gethin Jenkins – 4

Threw the ball around a bit too much and was undone in the scrum.