In league parlance free-scoring Wales were worth at least two bonus points. Competition for places in the forthcoming Tests against Canada and New Zealand will certainly be fiercer after their seven-try demolition of the hapless Fijians.
Rugby of a quality rarely seen in Cardiff since the tearaway 70s underlined the burgeoning creative influence of Steven Hansen, a coach who clearly wants to put Wales back among the elite.
However, the Kiwi did not even permit himself the ghost of a smile when asked whether he was happy with Wales's biggest win in five meetings with Fiji. He was, however, suitably vague regarding his quest for the best Welsh combination to face the All Blacks in two weeks' time. "We have a 30-man team and we need everyone on board for the mountain we have to climb," Hansen said. "I have a lot of faith in the squad - it will be difficult for anyone in the starting 22 to just relax and cruise."
Cruising was the last thing Wales had in mind as they blitzed the Fijians with a series of explosive long-range attacks. Fiji are in the second class of Test rugby nations, but they are strong enough to have qualified for next year's World Cup. On this occasion though they were outclassed by a hungry Welsh pack, which won a total of 19 penalties and 18 lineouts. No forward worked harder than the new cap Dafydd Jones, who topped the defensive statistics with 17 tackles.
Stephen Jones had already carved out a winning lead for Wales, kicking five penalties in the opening 23 minutes and extending his tally to 21 points with three conversions. But it was not until the 37th minute that Rhys Williams opened the try-scoring.
Efficient Welsh technique in ruck-drive-pass sequences kept the scoreboard ticking over. Mark Jones crossed for Wales's second try before the break and a Colin Charvis try was the prelude to further coruscating scores by Sonny Parker, Jones and Gareth Thomas.
In the final quarter Fiji fashioned a couple of breakaway tries, but gave away a last-minute penalty try for illegally impeding Iestyn Harris. Not least among the pleasures of an absorbing contest were the spectacular try-saving tackles by Gareth Thomas and the lock Robert Sidoli. As Hansen remarked: "You can measure a team's attitude by how they perform in defence."
Wales: R Williams (Cardiff), M Jones (Llanelli), Shanklin (Saracens; Robinson , Cardiff, 10), Parker (Pontypridd), G Thomas (Bridgend), S Jones (Llanelli, I Harris , Cardiff, 65) Peel (Llanelli), I Thomas (Llanelli), Davies (Pontypridd), Evans (Swansea, Madden , Llanelli 65), Sidoli (Pontypridd), Llewellyn (Neath, S Williams , Northampton, h-t), D Jones (Llanelli), M Williams (Cardiff, Parks , Pontypridd, 60), Charvis (Swansea, capt).
Tries: R Williams, M Jones 2, Charvis, Parker, G Thomas, penalty try. Cons: S Jones 3, Harris. Pens: S Jones 5.
Fiji: Narruhn (Sarevi h-t), Ligairi, Rabeni (Ruivavra, 45), Bai, Lasatavibau, Liddle, Rauluni (Rabaka, 67), Nyholt, Smith (capt), Cavubati, Naevo, Raiwalui, Tawake, Doviverata, Mocelutu.
Tries: Ligairi, Sarevi. Cons : Liddle, Sarevi.
Sin-bin: Bai.
Referee: S Dickinson (Australia).
Attendance: 35,000.
