Pacific split the honours as Manu Sāmoa soar, Tonga deliver and Fiji rue missed chances

It was a weekend of mixed fortunes for Pacific rugby with Manu Sāmoa making the biggest statement, Tonga grinding out an important win and Fiji left wondering what might have been after letting Wales off the hook in Cardiff.

The Flying Fijians were beaten 39-24 after producing some of the most exciting rugby of the match, only to be undone by errors at the set piece, breakdown and missed opportunities.

Playing more than 16,000 kilometres from home, Fiji were officially the home side in front of more than 16,000 fans at Cardiff City Stadium.

They made the brighter start with flanker and two-test All Black Pita-Gus Sowakula crashing over inside the opening three minutes.

Fiji dominated large parts of the first half, making far more metres than Wales and keeping the ball alive with a stream of offloads.

But missed chances and problems at the lineout allowed Wales to stay in the contest, with the teams locked 10-10 at half-time.

Former All Black Pita-Gus Sowakula gave the Flying Fijians the perfect start, crashing over for the opening try inside the first three minutes against Wales in Cardiff. Photo/Fiji Rugby

The Flying Fijians believe their own mistakes cost them the match.

Captain Tevika Ikanivere says Fiji's attacking style created plenty of chances in Cardiff, but a lack of patience in key moments allowed Wales to punish every mistake in Sunday's 39-24 defeat.

Instead of abandoning the free-flowing rugby Fiji are known for, Ikanivere says the team simply needs to know when to attack and when to hold its nerve.

"I think we want to play our brand of rugby but it comes with a risk," he said in a post-match interview. "It's about balance, it's about knowing when to keep and when to go, a bit more patient.

"I think if we had been more patient we would have gotten over the line, but I guess a quality side like Wales, if you don't make your scores when you get the opportunity, it bites you back."

Fiji repeatedly broke the Welsh defensive line but could not turn several promising attacks into points.

Ikanivere said Wales deserved credit for refusing to give up.

"We made a few great line breaks, but we just didn't finish it off. Great chase back from Wales, all credit to them for working so hard to stop those tries, so fair play."

Watch Tevita Ikanivere's interview below.

The match turned early in the second half when Wales scored twice in the space of two minutes.

Rhys Carre powered over from close range before Josh Adams stripped the ball from Selestino Ravutaumada in the in-goal area to score.

Ravutaumada responded with a well-worked try to pull Fiji back within a point but Wales took control through a dominant scrum and rolling maul before late tries from Ryan Elias and Eddie James sealed a 39-24 victory.

The defeat was made worse by injuries. Veteran centre Semi Radradra, the former NRL star, suffered what appeared to be a serious leg injury, with Seruvakula later confirming two players are expected to be sidelined for about six weeks.

Coach Senirusi Seruvakula shared the same assessment, saying Fiji's discipline and missed opportunities proved costly.

"Full credit to the Wales team, they come in well prepared, and we thought that we started well," he told the post-match interview. "We're just giving away some silly mistakes and penalties which cost us the game."

Fiji coach Senirusi Seruvakula says costly mistakes, penalties and missed opportunities proved decisive as the Flying Fijians fell 39-24 to Wales in Cardiff. Photo/DFAT

Seruvakula said his side had expected to build on that fast start.

"We thought that we were going to roll from that first try. We did not make use of all those opportunities when we had them."

On the injured players, Seruvakula said: "They both are out for six weeks, so that's going to cost us, and we just need to look and get a replacement for those two players."

Despite the disappointment, neither the captain nor coach is looking for excuses.

Ikanivere believes Fiji will be a better team when they meet England next week. "We will be better, I know that for sure."

He also thanked the large Fijian support in Cardiff, saying the atmosphere made the match feel like home.

The opening round of the World Rugby Nations Cup delivered plenty of drama, with Manu Sāmoa and Tonga celebrating victories while Fiji fell to Wales in Cardiff. Photo/World Rugby

"I think it's a new era for Fiji rugby, coming to this new competition. Thank everybody who came out in numbers today.

"I think we only heard the Welsh crowd towards the end of the game when they got the upper hand."

Seruvakula echoed that mindset as Fiji prepare for another tough test.

"There will be no excuses. We've got the players... if an injury occurs, there's an opportunity for someone to come and fill those shoes."

The Flying Fijians now turn their attention to England, determined to turn an encouraging attacking display into their first win of the campaign.

While Fiji were left disappointed, Manu Sāmoa produced the performance of the weekend with a commanding 66-19 victory over Hong Kong China in Santiago, Chile, early Sunday (NZT).

Sāmoa crossed for the four-try bonus point inside the opening 20 minutes and led 38-7 at half-time after punishing Hong Kong China's mistakes.

Hong Kong China briefly reduced the gap after the break but Sāmoa responded in emphatic fashion with four more tries to finish with a 47-point win and move to the top of their pool.

Tonga also opened their campaign with a win, beating Zimbabwe 36-26 in Denver, Colorado, in the United States, despite a spirited fightback from the Sables.

Missing captain Ben Tameifuna, Tonga led 12-0 at the break after tries from Telusa Veainu and Fine Inisi.

Zimbabwe fought back strongly in the second half to put Tonga under pressure but late tries from hooker Samiuela Moli and Sione Tuipulotu secured an important opening-round victory.

Sāmoa and Tonga will look to build on winning starts next weekend, while Fiji head to England determined to turn an encouraging performance into their first victory of the campaign.

Manu Sāmoa will face Georgia next in the World Rugby Nations Cup on Sunday 12 July at the Estadio Sausalito in Chile with kickoff at 5am (NZT).

Tonga face Spain on Sunday 12 July at 8.45am (NZT) at Clarke Stadium in Edmonton, Canada.

In other Nations Championship results, the All Blacks survived a French scare to win 34-32 in Christchurch on Saturday night, Ireland pipped Australia 33-31 in Sydney on Saturday, South Africa proved too strong for England 45-21 in Johannesburg while Japan defeated Italy 27-10 in Tokyo.

For more information on the 2026 Nations Championships, click here.