CARDIFF, Wales — In a stunning turn of events, Wales has matched a bleak record by suffering its 10th consecutive loss in rugby tests, falling to Fiji 24-19 at home on Sunday. This defeat marks a historic milestone, as it was the first time Fiji has triumphed over Wales in Cardiff, extending back to their first encounter in 1985.

Fiji began the match facing a 14-3 deficit but managed to mount a remarkable comeback, overcoming both red and yellow cards against them. The turning point came in the 49th minute when flyhalf Caleb Muntz kicked a penalty to give Fiji its first lead in the match. Shortly after, inside center Josua Tuisova showcased his strength with a powerful try, which provided Fiji with a valuable cushion on the scoreboard.

Wales fought hard to close the gap, rallying to just two points behind. However, the Welsh replacement flyhalf Sam Costelow was unable to convert a crucial try, missing the chance to level the score. Muntz then extended Fiji’s lead with his fourth penalty kick in the 76th minute, putting additional pressure on the Welsh team who made one last desperate attempt to score. Unfortunately, the hope ended in disappointment as a knock-on occurred right in front of the Fiji try-line, sealing the match.

This latest defeat equals a similar losing streak experienced by Wales in the 2002-03 season. Their current losing run has persisted since the quarterfinals of the Rugby World Cup in France a year ago. As the Welsh squad looks ahead, they face a daunting challenge with their upcoming matches against Australia and the reigning world champions, South Africa, in the coming weeks, casting a shadow over their prospects for victory in 2024.