Fiji 38 Wales 34

Fiji beat Wales in one of the most thrilling World Cup matches of all time at the Stade de la Beaujoire in Nantes on Saturday to secure a quarter-final place for thr first time in 20 years.

After arguably the biggest World Cup upset since fellow Pacific Islanders Samoa beat the Welsh in 1991, Fiji will now face South Africa in the last eight in Marseille on October 7.

Fiji turned round with a 25-10 half-time lead, with all those points coming in an astonishing nine-minute burst.

But in a free-flowing match Wales hit back with three tries in six minutes early in the second half when Fiji were down to 14 men.

However, Fiji prop Graham Dewes scored the last of the game's nine tries just four minutes from time.

Fiji then held on to record their first win against Wales in nine attempts. It was a reverse that is bound to heap pressure on Wales coach Gareth Jenkins, for whom quarter-final qualification was the minimum target.

"We made some serious errors and the defence was not up to standard," said Wales skipper Gareth Thomas, who was winning his 100th cap for his country.

"We made the wrong decisions. In my career we have had some highs and lows and this is one of the lows."

Fiji began their remarkable scoring sequence in the 16th minute.

Brilliant handling at pace saw full-back Kameli Ratuvou link with centre Seru Rabeni, who found his No.15 before Ratuvou released Isoa Neivua as the left wing sped into the Wales 22.

A retreating Welsh defence couldn't get realigned in time and flanker Akapusi Qera made sure his backs' work wasn't wasted by crossing for a try which Little converted.

Minutes later Fiji had their second try when right wing Vilimoni Delasau chased his own kick down the touchline.

Wales, who had overwhelming superiority at the scrum, were being out-run in open play and more fine play, this time between Qera and Bai, led to a try for lock Kele Leawere.

Eventually, Wales saw their scrum strength lead to a pushover try for No.8 Alix Popham in the 34th minute which centre James Hook converted.

In a frantic match, Fiji were reduced to 14 men on the stroke of half-time when Qera was yellow-carded for kicking out.

Further thrills then came in the 45th minute when a dashing Shane Williams, from the edge of his own 22, scored a superb solo try which twice saw him sidestep the Fiji defence before an extravagant dive over the line.

Wales captain Thomas then crowned a fine move which stretched the Fiji defence before the backs, with Hook again playing an important role, created an overlap for Mark Jones.

Stephen Jones, who saw his conversion of Williams's try hit the post, added the extras for Thomas's score and Wales suddenly found themselves ahead.

Two penalties gave Fiji a two-point lead before Martyn Williams intercepted Little's pass for a 73rd minute try to give Wales a 34-31 lead.

Still Fiji came again and Delasau was held up just short. But a forward surge was rewarded when, in the 76th minute and after several minutes of replay study, Dewes was awarded a close range try which Little converted.

AFP