Wales try to avoid on-field chaos after stressful week

ByChris Kirwan

BBC Sport Wales

Fiji versus Wales, a meeting between a nation that thrives when there is on-field chaos against one used to pandemonium off it.

Steve Tandy's men kick off the Nations Championship with an away fixture at Cardiff City Stadium, 11 miles away from their training base at the Vale Resort.

After a much-needed Six Nations victory against Italy, Wales are hunting back-to-back Test wins for the first time since the 2023 World Cup.

Yet just three days before the opening fixture the squad still had the unwanted distraction of a dispute with the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) over match fees.

"These sorts of things should be put to bed weeks before a Test match," said former Wales and Lions centre Jamie Roberts on the Scrum V podcast.

Saturday, 4 July (14:10 BST)

Cardiff City Stadium

Head coach Tandy stressed that the training schedule was not impacted yet the issue, resolved late on Wednesday afternoon, has been another distraction.

"It was a tough position that it came into Test week," admitted captain Dewi Lake. "Obviously everybody would have loved these things to be done sooner.

"With it being a new tournament, we understand the details behind it and it's a shame that pulled into Test week.

"We were able to get it done in plenty of time and all focus has been on the game. It crept into the week but it did not take our main focus off a Test against a quality outfit."

Hooker Lake and Lions flanker Jac Morgan opted to escape the madness in December when, amid uncertainty over Ospreys' future, they agreed moves over the border.

Next season they will have Gloucester after their names in the matchday programme, with a switch to Kingsholm allowing them to focus on rugby.

Lake and Morgan were junior members of the Wales squad in 2023 when strike action was narrowly avoided ahead of the home Six Nations fixture against England.

"Unfortunately these things have happened before and they might happen again," said the skipper about the latest row.

"Some things are out of your control, but the important thing is that we have focused on the rugby and were able to thrash that out early in the week."

Wales will hope that any wasted energy will not cost them as they look to cause what would be an upset against Fiji.

The location gives Tandy's side some help but they are still marginal underdogs against a side ranked ninth in World Rugby's rankings, two spots above them.

They enjoyed a useful hit-out against the Barbarians at a sweltering Allianz Stadium last weekend and must hit the ground running ahead of even tougher assignments in Argentina and South Africa.

Louis Rees-Zammit has been moved back to the wing with Blair Murray looking to build on a lively display against the Baa-Baas.

Wales are without injured lock Dafydd Jenkins and rested tight-head prop Tomas Francis but are otherwise fully-loaded.

Facing an unpredictable opponent in the Barbarians was ideal preparation for sticking to the script against the Fijians.

"Discipline is more than just penalty count," said Lake. "It's sticking to a game plan when it is getting chaotic.

"I have played Fiji and you can get sucked into that way of playing, throwing offloads. That's their game and we will struggle in that chaos, structure will be massively important."

They face a Fiji side who won for the first time in Cardiff last time the teams met, running out 24-19 victors in a hectic fixture at Principality Stadium in November 2024.

The 'hosts' possess game-breakers galore, with a potent back three that are based in France.

Wing Jiuta Wainiqolo ran in 18 tries in 20 games for Lyon in 2025-26 while full-back Salesi Rayasi managed 15 scores in 27 appearances for European champions Bordeaux-Begles.

Selestino Ravutaumada 'only' managed six for Racing 92, but he did score a terrific solo effort against France in November.

The speed will be released by a powerful and skillful midfield combination of Josua Tuisova and Semi Radradra.

"Flair, physicality and enjoyment," said captain Tevita Ikanivere when asked what to expect from his side. "We are looking forward to making the people of Fiji proud."

Fiji will spend their summer in Cardiff, Liverpool and Edinburgh, 10,000 miles away from Suva.

Ticket sales are said to be strong for the fixtures against England at Everton's 53,000-capacity ground and versus Scotland at 67,000-capacity Murrayfield.

A week after playing in front of plenty of empty seats at Twickenham, the 33,000-capacity Cardiff City Stadium looks set to be half full.

That perhaps reflects the state of the Welsh game, or maybe the appetite for rugby in July, but Tandy is hopeful of loud backing.

"I hope as many people can get there as possible to get behind the team," said the head coach.

"I know there is that feeling of connection to our supporters and I just encourage people to go, because it means so much for the players."

Given the appetite for tickets, it will be a relief that the fixture is the first international rugby game at Cardiff City Stadium rather than being at the 74,000-capacity Principality Stadium.

"We are massively excited to play here," said Lake. "There are a couple of Cardiff City fans in the group who are really excited, and a couple of Swansea fans not so much!

"What an amazing thing for us to have an away game that is just down the road."

Fiji head to the north west of England after facing Wales while Tandy's squad must quickly pack up and get a move on.

They will rack up the miles when going from Cardiff to San Juan to face Argentina and then on to Durban for a daunting date with South Africa.

One victory would probably be considered a successful summer ahead of Cardiff dates with Japan, New Zealand and Australia, then finals week in Twickenham.

After a week of yet more meetings about off-field matters, Lake & Co will relish the chance to do their talking on the pitch.

Fiji: Rayasi; Ravutamada, Radradra, Tuisova, Wainiqolo; Armstrong-Ravula, Lomani; Mawi, Ikanivere (capt), Hoyt, Nasilasila, Mayanavanua, Sowakula, Salawa, Canakaivata.

Replacements: Togiatama, Natave, Ravai, Vocevoce, Senibitu, Kuruvoli, Botitu, Ravouvou.

Wales: Murray; Rees-Zammit, James, Hawkins, Adams; Edwards, Tomos Williams; Carre, Lake (capt), Lewis, Carter, Beard, Mann, Morgan, Wainwright.

Replacements: Elias, Smith, Warren, Plumtree, Botham, Hardy, Costelow, Mee.

Referee: Eoghan Cross (Ireland)

Assistants: Matthew Carley (England) & Hollie Davidson (Scotland)

TMO: Leo Colgan (Ireland)