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Fabulous Fiji send Wales crashing out

Prop forward Graham Dewes scored a 77th-minute try and Fiji beat Wales 38-34 in one of the all-time great Rugby World Cup matches on Saturday to progress to the quarter-finals and send Wales home.

Wales outscored Fiji five tries to four, but flyhalf Nicky Little booted 18 points while Stephen Jones missed two penalties and a conversion and James Hook missed a penalty.

The result at the La Beaujoire stadium was Wales' biggest World Cup shock since losing 16-13 to Western Samoa to tumble out of the 1991 tournament at the group stage.

Wales had never lost to Fiji in their eight meetings. But in a clear signal that Fiji are closing the gap, the Welsh only edged their last encounter 11-10 at the Millennium Stadium in 2005.

With Australia already qualified at the top of the group, Fiji advanced to an Oct. 7 quarter-final against South Africa in Marseille. They may have to face the Springboks without playmaker Little who was stretchered off in the last minute. Coach Ilie Tabua said Little had been taken to hospital with a knee injury, but the extent of the injury was not known.

"It's not only for us, but for our country," Tabua said. "It brings [Fijian] rugby to another level."

By contrast, the result marred celebrations for Wales captain Gareth Thomas, who became the first Welshman to win 100 international caps and marked the occasion with a try and two great defensive tackles.

"Unfortunately, we're going home but we're going home proud Welshmen," the fullback said. "We tried our best but we'll probably get beaten down for this."

"I'd give the [100th] cap back just for a win today. It is a bit hollow now we're going home tomorrow. Our goal was to make it at least to the quarter-finals, so yes, this is a failure and we are very disappointed," Thomas said.

disappointment

Wales coach Gareth Jenkins could not hide his disappointment, but said he has no intention of quitting.

"People don't realize how disappointing this is. I mean people use the word disappointment and they've never experienced what we're feeling at the moment. We've just hit the biggest low," he said.

Wales took the lead through Jones' penalty after the flyhalf had sliced through Fiji's defense and forced the infringement. His next penalty attempt in the 9th minute hit the post and Tom Shanklin dropped the rebound when it looked like he could score.

The islanders then repeatedly carved open the Welsh defense with three tries and two penalties in nine minutes.

First, flanker Akapusi Qera touched down under the posts. Then winger Vilimoni Delasau scored a great individual effort before second-rower Kele Leawere crashed over. In between, Little landed two penalties to leave the Welsh reeling at 25-3.

Fullback Kameli Ratuvou started the move for the first try with a surging run just inside Wales' half before the ball passed through Seru Rabeni to Isoa Neivua. Two quick rucks close to the Welsh line allowed scrumhalf Mosese Rauluni to send Qera over with a short pass.

Delasau's try was all his own. Grabbing the ball near the halfway line on the right, he chipped ahead and then jumped between between two Welsh backs to gather and touch down.

Qera then charged up the middle to set up the third try in the 25th minute when Leawere went over from close range.

But Wales kept pushing forward and their work was rewarded when No. 8 Alix Popham touched down for a pushover try from a scrum in the 34th minute.

Fiji's Qera capped an eventful half by being sinbinned for kneeing Wales flyhalf Stephen Jones in the head.

Facing a 25-10 halftime deficit, Wales made their extra man count early in the second half with two tries and a third with Fiji back at full strength to land 19 points in seven minutes.

stunning try

First Shane Williams scored a contender for try of the tournament when he ran from inside his own half and showed the ball to a Fiji defender before swerving infield and beating two more backs and putting in a spectacular dive to touch down under the posts.

From a scrum soon afterwards, the ball quickly spun to the right. Hook passed to Mark Jones who flicked it on to Thomas for a score in the corner. Jones' conversion attempt hit the post, but Wales were back in the match at 25-22. And moments later they were in the lead, with another quick passing move resulting in a try for Mark Jones that Stephen Jones converted.

As the match continued to seesaw, Little slotted a penalty to cut Wales' lead to one point and then missed another that would have taken back the lead.

As the momentum swung back to Fiji, Thomas pulled off a try-saving tackle on Delasau but conceded another penalty which Little scored to give his side back the lead at 31-29.

Thomas pulled off another amazing try-saving tackle in the 71st minute when he covered across to force Seremaia Bai into touch just short of the line.

And from the next attack flanker Martyn Williams intercepted Little's pass to run in unopposed for a try. Jones hit the post again with a conversion attempt to leave Wales leading 34-31 with six minutes remaining.

Fiji came back on the attack with Bai again breaking through the line and the video ref awarded a try to Dewes after a ruck on the line. Little converted to close out a historic win.

"It's probably one of the greatest victory's Fiji's ever had," Rauluni said. "The prime minister might call a day off tomorrow."
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