Wales aim for control after chaotic week

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 11 miles from their training base at the Vale Resort at Cardiff City Stadium.

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.

Nations Championship: Fiji v Wales

Saturday, 4 July (14:10 BST)

Cardiff City Stadium

Listen on BBC Radio Wales, BBC Radio Cymru, BBC Sounds and the BBC Sport website and app which also has live text commentary. Watch live on S4C.

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

“It was a tough position that it came into Test week,” said 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 dysfunction in December when, amid uncertainty over Ospreys’ future, they agreed moves to Gloucester.

Lake and Morgan were junior members of the Wales squad in 2023 when strike action was narrowly avoided before 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.”

Sticking to plan against frenetic Fiji

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 two places above them in World Rugby’s rankings.

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. It’s sticking to a gameplan when it is getting chaotic,” said Lake.

“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.”

Wales will play Fiji at Cardiff City Stadium rather than Principality Stadium.

Fiji won for the first time in Cardiff the last time the teams met in November 2024 and they possess game-breakers galore, particularly among a potent back three all 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 may have only managed six for Racing 92 but scored a terrific solo effort against France in November.

The speed will be released by a powerful and skilful 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.”

Nations Championship a hard sell in Cardiff

Fiji are hosting their three home games in the UK – some 10,000 miles from Suva.

Ticket sales are looking strong for the fixtures against England at Everton’s Hill Dickinson Stadium and against Scotland at Murrayfield.

But a week after playing in front of mostly empty seats against Barbarians at Allianz Stadium, 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 Wales 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 rugby Test match at the home at Cardiff City rather than the 74,000-seat Principality Stadium.

Lake added: “We are massively excited to play here. 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.”

When Fiji head to Liverpool, Wales will rack up the miles to face Argentina in San Juan before a daunting date with South Africa in Durban.

One victory would probably be considered a success before Cardiff dates with Japan, New Zealand and Australia, then finals week in Allianz Stadium.

But after a week of yet more off-field matters, Lake and co will relish the chance to do their talking on the pitch.

How they line up

• 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)