Rugby World Cup 2019: Gatland waits on walking wounded after Wales clinch quarter-final spot

Warren Gatland is hoping Wales’ qualification-clinching victory over Fiji did not come at a cost after hat-trick hero Josh Adams, Dan Biggar and Jonathan Davies all picked up injuries.

Gatland’s side fought back from a two-try deficit early on as Adams became the sixth man from his country to score a Rugby World Cup hat-trick before Liam Williams sealed a bonus point with a fourth try in a 29-17 triumph.

Wales are now firmly on course to top Pool D and Gatland is likely to make changes for the final group game against Uruguay on Sunday, but he will be concerned about the availability of his key backs beyond that.

Adams came off 10 minutes from time with a dead leg, Davies suffered a bang to his knee in teeing up the wing for his third try and Biggar was withdrawn after taking a blow to the head from team-mate Williams as he claimed a high ball.

Biggar failed a head injury assessment (HIA) in Wales’ previous match against Australia, but Gatland told reporters on Wednesday: “It was a removal from the field, he didn’t do a HIA [this time].

“It was just because of the contact, he was just removed.

“He’s not in consideration for Sunday, then he’ll have to go through the protocols and we’ll probably have someone take a look at him as well.”

Diolch Vinaka #WALvFIJ pic.twitter.com/hKPaSX9GxJ

— Welsh Rugby Union (@WelshRugbyUnion) October 9, 2019

Gatland was more upbeat about Adams and Davies, adding: “No fears. Josh just took a dead leg basically and Jonathan, just with his knee, the same sort of thing.

“You never know with knees, we’ll probably get him assessed tomorrow when all the players have a review of today.”

Wales’ players will not enjoy reviewing the first eight minutes of the game, when Josua Tuisova and Kini Murimurivalu both went in down Adams’ flank.

But Wales responded in a wild contest that featured five disallowed tries and four yellow cards – two for each team – the joint-most shown in a World Cup match.

“From 10-0 down, to finish with a bonus-point win… I thought that showed some great character,” Gatland added.

Fiji, who were eliminated with the loss as Australia joined Wales in the last eight, were behind at the interval but went back ahead with a penalty try, yet they were left to rue their final ball as they had three would-be scores chalked off for forward passes.

“A game like that, it’s a game of inches,” Fiji coach John McKee said.

“You look at two or three opportunities with forward passes. It costs you big when the game’s so close.”

After losing to Australia and then being stunned by Uruguay in their next game, McKee was at least content to see Fiji bow out with a decent display.

“[It is] pleasing for me that finally we’ve had an opportunity on the world stage to show what this team is capable of,” he added.

KEO.co.za News wire is powered by opta