Sunday's final Rugby World Cup action is a Pool C clash staged in Bordeaux where Wales take on a potentially dangerous Fiji side
Wales v Fiji, Sunday 10th September, Bordeaux, KO 21:00 (South African time)
Referee: Matthew Carley (RFU)
Assistant Referees: Wayne Barnes (RFU), Christophe Ridley (RFU)
TMO: Brian MacNeice (IRFU)
Weather Forecast - Bordeaux
Wales:
In their most recent warm up on 19th August Wales were thrashed 52-16 by the Springboks in Cardiff. Prior to that a double header home and away to England saw them go down 19-17 at Twickenham a week after they had won 20-9 in Cardiff.
In the 6 Nations earlier this year Wales won just 1 and lost 4 of their matches to finish with only Italy below them on the log. That sole win came in Italy 29-17 whilst other results comprised of defeats at home to Ireland (34-10), in Scotland (35-7), at home to England (20-10) and in France (41-28).
In RWC 2019 in Japan Wales also had Australia, Fiji and Georgia for company. They won all their pool matches to advance to the quarter finals where they edged out France 20-19 before losing 19-16 to South Africa in the semi's. Wales lost the 3rd / 4th place play off to New Zealand and their best finish remains a third place back in 1987.
In the RWC outright betting Wales are trading at around 40/1 to win the tournament with Sportingbet. Risk Free First Bet Up to R2,000 back if you don't win
Fiji:
Fiji have risen to No 7 in the world rankings and they began their warm up schedule with a 33-19 win in Samoa. They built on that with a 35-12 victory in Japan and although they lost 34-17 in France they come into the tournament on a high on the back of a 30-22 win over England at Twickenham.
In RWC 2019 Fiji won just 1 and lost 3 of their matches. They lost 39-21 to Australia and then tripped up against Uruguay. They went down 29-17 to Wales and their sole victory came against Georgia (45-10).
When France last hosted the RWC in 2007 Fiji sprang a surprise with a 38-34 win over Wales in Nantes. They reached the quarter finals that year equalling their feat of 1987 but they have yet to reach the last 4.
In the RWC outright betting Fiji are 80/1 shots with Sportingbet. Risk Free First Bet Up to R2,000 back if you don't win
Team News
Wales: 15 Liam Williams, 14 Louis Rees-Zammit, 13 George North, 12 Nick Tompkins, 11 Josh Adams, 10 Dan Biggar, 9 Gareth Davies, 8 Taulupe Faletau, 7 Jac Morgan (captain), 6 Aaron Wainwright, 5 Adam Beard, 4 Will Rowlands, 3 Tomas Francis, 2 Ryan Elias, 1 Gareth Thomas
Replacements: 16 Elliot Dee, 17 Corey Domachowski, 18 Dillon Lewis, 19 Dafydd Jenkins, 20 Tommy Reffell, 21 Tomos Williams, 22 Sam Costelow, 23 Rio Dyer
Fiji: 15 Ilaisa Droasese, 14 Selestino Ravutaumada, 13 Waisea Nayacalevu (c), 12 Semi Radradra, 11 Vinaya Habosi, 10 Teti Tela, 9 Frank Lomani, 8 Viliame Mata, 7 Lekima Tagitagivalu, 6 Albert Tuisue, 5 Te Ahiwaru Cirikidaveta, 4 Isoa Nasilasila, 3 Luke Tagi, 2 Samuel Matavesi, 1 Eroni Mawi
Replacements: 16 Tevita Ikanivere, 17 Peni Ravai, 18 Mesake Doge, 19 Temo Mayanavanua, 20 Levani Botia, 21 Simione Kuruvoli, 22 Josua Tuisova, 23 Sireli Maqala
Recent Head to Head
Nov 2021 INT Cardiff Wales 38–23 Fiji
Oct 2019 RWC Ōita Wales 29–17 Fiji
Oct 2015 INT Cardiff Wales 23-13 Fiji
Oct 2014 INT Cardiff Wales 17-13 Fiji
Oct 2011 RWC Hamilton Wales 66-0 Fiji
The Betting
Wales -5.5 points at 9/10
Fiji +5.5 points at 9/10
Note, odds quoted are available at the time of writing but are subject to change.
Betting Angle
Fiji showed against England they can beat the Tier 1 nations and there are many who fancy them to upset Wales.
I think the loss of Caleb Muntz at 10 is huge though and looking at this Welsh team sheet I quite like it.
Wales have come in under the radar but I am looking for them to beat the handicap in this one.
The points line is 46.5 and I have no firm views on that yet.
I will post any additional bets in the forum should I get a fancy closer to kick off.
BET: 4 units Wales -5.5 at 1/1 at Betxchange – note this is under their Boosted Odds special which allows a single bet of up to 5k at 1/1 on either the handicap or points line – you can view their T&Cs here
Note, odds quoted are available at the time of writing but are subject to change.
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