Warren Gatland has named the Wales team to take on Fiji this Thursday at the Millennium Stadium. The starting XV shows just three changes to the team that heroically won at Twickenham at the weekend.
Matthew Morgan, Alex Cuthbert and Tyler Morgan all come into the side in the backs – otherwise it is as you were. James Hook, a recent addition to the squad, is named on the bench alongside Rhys Priestland.
“It is important we build on the success and momentum from last weekend and take that into Thursday,” said Wales head coach Warren Gatland. “Fiji have performed very well in their opening two games and they will be coming to Cardiff looking to build on that themselves.
“We have made three changes through injury but go into this game with a strong side. We are looking forward to being back at the Millennium Stadium on Thursday and having the crowd right behind us in an important World Cup fixture.”
WALES TEAM TO PLAY FIJI
Matthew Morgan (Bristol Rugby), Alex Cuthbert (Cardiff Blues), Tyler Morgan (Newport Gwent Dragons), Jamie Roberts (Harlequins), George North (Northampton Saints), Dan Biggar (Ospreys), Gareth Davies (Scarlets); Gethin Jenkins (Cardiff Blues), Scott Baldwin (Ospreys), Tomas Francis (Exeter Chiefs), Bradley Davies (Wasps), Alun Wyn Jones (Ospreys), Dan Lydiate (Ospreys), Sam Warburton (Capt – Cardiff Blues), Taulupe Faletau (Newport Gwent Dragons).
Replacements: Ken Owens (Scarlets), Aaron Jarvis (Ospreys), Samson Lee (Scarlets), Luke Charteris (Racing 92), Justin Tipuric (Ospreys), Lloyd Williams (Cardiff Blues), Rhys Priestland (Bath Rugby), James Hook (Gloucester Rugby).
As you know by now, we are hilarious, and you should be following us on Facebook and Twitter.
Very surprised – only the enforced changes. No rest for the heroes then. Let’s hope they can do it again so quickly. The timing of using the bench will be interesting.
At least the pack are still all ok – important for the Fiji game
I can’t imagine Wales will lose this and especially with Nadolo out, may well win with a bonus point.
I don’t know much about Tyler Morgan, can anyone enlighten me?
Don’t know a lot about him. Young lad, rated highly by Gats, in the same physical mould as Hallam Amos. Hard to tell how decent both he and Amos are in club games as the Dragons struggle up front.
It’s a bit doom and gloom here. We should have the edge on Fiji but prior experience shows that doesn’t always amount to much – but prior experience is so hard to use. 2007 was an insanity blip led by a mutinous team captain who didn’t want to follow coaches directions. We walloped them in 2011 world cup, no doubt with 2007 in the front of our minds. On Fri nights we’re always a mixed bag – makeshift teams, vuvuzela and mexican wave fuelled crowds, James Hook in the team …. oh my god, James Hook. Ok, we’re doomed.
On the other hand I think superstition is telling us that pessimism worked on Sat so let’s keep our heads down, let’s assume the worst but hope for the best.
Pablito and Brighty To answer your question “I don’t know much about Tyler Morgan, can anyone enlighten me” I’ve seen him play a few times and he reminded me of a young John Devereux with his demeanour and the way he played, direct when needed and an awareness of this support and team mates. Not wanting to big him up to much but has defiantly shown himself to be a player with the right credentials to play at this level. Thursday will tell.
I would have started with Charteris, Tipuric and Ken Owens and put Lydiate, Bradley Davies and Baldwin on the bench.
There again…. I am an armchair selector.
Let’s hope Hook isn’t needed
Going all out for the BP and hanging hats on Aus beating Eng?
I probably would’ve gone with Charteris to utilise him in the rolling maul which we surely must be targeting as a source of tries?
Having said that, the Fiji lineout defense is unlikely to be as good as Englands.. and the bench provided fresh impetus last Saturday so hoping for the same again in the last 20 maybe?
This is why Gats is paid the money and I’m not..
From an outside perspective looks like an exciting and attacking side. I have no desire to see England profit from Welsh misfortune so hope for a cracking match and may the best team win.
I don’t think this selection says anything about what we think we might have to do against Aus depending on Sat result. We have a long rest period between this and Aus so no need to rest boys ready for Aus – so looks like the best idea to me is first 22 out on the pitch (out of the 23 welshmen left standing).
No you’re right Brighty, but the BP is vitally important on Thursday. Without, we’re on 13 points, 14 with.
England beating Australia is a very real possibility, albeit probably without a BP – 10 points.
They’ll smash Uruguay – 15 points
Wales losing to Aus is a very real possibility. with a BP win and BP loss against Fiji/Aus we’ll be on 15 and through. Without either we lose out to England.
Of course, if Aus win on Saturday none of this applies (providing we beat Fiji!).
Agreed Anarky and it’s prob the best thing to do, after securing the match (if we can) to go into chasing the BP so we have it in our own hands.
I still think that on balance the odds favour a non-BP win for us and a loss for Eng on Sat as the best option for us to go through.
Shows how worried Gats is about this game. Fiji have shown themselves to be a pretty decent side, although Nadalo missing puts a giant hole in their squad and game plan. Can’t really see Wales losing this – just a question of whether they get the BP or not. Keep your fingers crossed for no more injuries as it will be physical again. Going to be some tired and sore bodies in the changing room after this game given the week they’ve had.
For me should have been Anscombe instead of M Morgan, Morgan is a great talent undoubtedly but too small for this game, can’t see him out jumping anyone under the high ball & it showed against Italy that he ain’t the strongest tackler in the world, got brushed aside in the last minute for their late try. I think Anscombe was due to play this week anyway so should be fit enough.
Also would have gone for Charteris to start, as has been said earlier the FIjians ain’t great at defending the rolling maul & this is an obvious avenue for points.
Tyler Morgan also a gamble imho, again a great talent who will be a shoe in for the next WC, but maybe a bit early for this one.
Am fairly confident of a win on Thursday, especially with Nadolo missing ( providing he doesn’t win his appeal ), but not so sure about the BP, I am with Brighty on this one, the best avenue we have to the QF’s is for the Aussies to beat England …… mercenary though that sounds ! I am sure the vast majority of England fans will be cheering for Fiji !!.
Another bonus for Thursday …… no French referee ……
it was always going to be the case that Fiji were going to be tough ,even with a full fit squad !( 10 aside touch team available and training at the a and e in the Heath hospital ) .Gats was always going to play a strong side here ! Hope above hope we get the bonus point and England lose to aussies as i could not go through the emotions again on 10th October ! Also i do not think we will have many men standing after this game ! rest everyone against the aussies and put out a strong side in the quarters against JAPAN !!!
Has anyone seen a replay of what nadolo was banned for? If so, could you point me towards it? Ta
I think with Nadolo out this is a near certain win for Wales, although BP in question. I can’t see that the same group of players who went to Twickenham and worked so hard for a huge win will come back and let it slip at home with so much at stake.
As an England fan first and Wales second I’m not sure who to cheer on Thursday.
Guys one of my friend can’t come so I have one extra CatA ticket if someone has an interest. It s the seat right to me so we can get in at the same time no risk of fake ticket.
Nadolo is a big loss for Fiji. Such an influential and dangerous player. Tikoirotuma and Nagusa are hardly shit players though! Personally I’m hoping Wales are under-prepared for them and go into this more cocky because Nadolo’s missing.
Matawalu out injured is a massive shame. Don’t know much about his replacement Kenatale. Hope he can get the job done.
Pretty obvious we aren’t going in under prepared when it’s the squad we used against England excluding injuries. Same squad we intend to play against Australia excluding Liam Williams if he is over concussion
Why don’t we back the northern hemisphere and both beat Australia ! Then have a rematch in the Final ! Maybe you would want to play us at the Millenium stadium ! If carlsberg only did rugby word cups !
Do you honestly think Gatland will have Wales going into this game ‘under prepared’ ? or they will underestimate Fiji ? not a chance ! . This will be a tough game for Wales, not least because of the multiple injuries & short turnaround, but it is in Cardiff & they will have the nation with them ….. think you will need to rely on beating Australia rather than hoping Fiji can do you a favour …
Spot on. If there is one 2nd tier (you know what I mean) nation in world rugby that Wales will not under estimate, that we will not be cocky about beating, it is Fiji. The entire nation is wary of Fiji and knows exactly what they can do. Fiji will be coming down to our house and we will be 100% up for a test match.