Robinson's late drop goal helps Wales edge Fiji

CARDIFF - First five-eighths Nicky Robinson kicked a late drop goal to earn Wales a narrow 11-10 win over Fiji at the Millennium Stadium.

Wales had the better of the first half but poor handling let them down and Fiji took a surprise 7-0 lead into the break.

Centre Julian Vulakoro missed three penalty attempts but made no mistake with the conversion of Ifereimi Rawaqa's try a minute before halftime after the rangy lock silenced the 73,045 crowd with a stunning 65-metre run to the line.

Captain Michael Owen collected a pushover try in the 66th minute before Robinson, who also booted a penalty on the hour, secured victory for the grand slam champions with four minutes left.

Wales coach Mike Ruddock said he never lost faith in his team despite their record 41-3 defeat by New Zealand in Cardiff last weekend.

"I was always confident right up until the end that we would win. I'm not just saying that now," Ruddock told reporters.

"A few people around me were getting emotional but I always felt that we had a try in us.

"Fiji did very well. We put them under pressure in almost every area but they defended strongly.

"As a coach you just look for improvements from the last game and I thought we made them."

Ruddock, however, said Wales had injury concerns over lock Brent Cockbain, wing Kevin Morgan and prop Chris Horsman ahead of next Saturday's game against South Africa.

Coach Wayne Pivac was left to rue the failure to capture Fiji's first win over Wales.

"I don't feel we were robbed because both sides missed plenty of penalties," said Kiwi Pivac.

"Given the weight of possession and field position that Wales had, they probably deserved the win. However, we know this was still a game that we could definitely have won.

- REUTERS