2 Oct 2011

Wales overwhelm Fiji 66-nil

10:46 pm on 2 October 2011

Wales has beaten a lacklustre Fiji 66-nil in a Rugby World Cup pool match at the Waikato Stadium in Hamilton on Sunday.

Centre Jamie Roberts grabbed a brace as Wales scored their biggest ever victory with nine tries - four in the first half and five in the second, all converted.

It beat Wales' previous highest winning margin of 54 points in their 72-18 win over Japan at the last tournament in 2007.

The bonus point won by the four first-half tries was enough to secure the Welsh second place in Pool D behind South Africa, and set up a last eight clash, most likely against Ireland, in Wellington next Saturday.

Fiji, who needed to deprive Wales of a bonus point and rack up a huge score in victory to stay alive, upped their game after halftime but were a pale imitation of the team that beat Wales 38-34 on their way to the quarter-finals four years ago.

Wales led 31-0 at halftime.

Scores:

Wales: Tries: Jamie Roberts 2, Scott Williams, George North, Sam Warburton, Lloyd Burns, Leigh Halfpenny, Lloyd Williams, Jonathan Davies. Penalty: Rhys Priestland. Conversions: Priestland 5, Stephen Jones 4.

Referee: Wayne Barnes (England)