Wales scrum-half Gareth Davies has come under fire for his ‘overacting’ during his sides World Cup opening win against Fiji.
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Josh Adams scored an early try for Wales but Fiji hit back with scores from captain Waisea Nayacalevu and flanker Lekima Tagitagivalu before George North’s try helped Wales into an 18-14 half-time lead.
Louis Rees-Zammit collected Jac Morgan’s cross-kick to extend Wales’s lead and after Levani Botia knocked on over the line, Elliott Dee’s converted try with 13 minutes left – after a yellow card for Fiji’s Lekima Tagitagivalu – put Wales 32-14 clear and seemingly out of sight.
But Fiji refused to lie down and Josua Tuisova’s score sparked a late onslaught, Peni Ravai having a score ruled out for a double movement before Mesake Doge crossed with two minutes left, and only a Semi Radradra knock-on in the dying seconds allowed Wales to cling on.
SOCIAL MEDIA REACTION TO ‘ACTING:
Andy Goode tweeted: “Gareth Davies went to acting school!”
Rugby Paper scriber Neil Fissler added: “Gareth Davies deserves six weeks for his reaction alone. Okay the seatbelt tackle was a whack but he acted like a tart”
One fan wrote: “Gareth Davies needs to get off the floor; this ain’t Hollywood.”
A second commented: “Not in love with Gareth Davies rolling around to sell that high tackle.”
Another added: “Gareth Davies, that was disgraceful mate! Why are you grabbing your head rolling around on the ground.”
A fourth said: “Gareth Davies crying like a little baby to sell a ‘high tackle’”
5 players who flopped on the opening weekend of the 2023 Rugby World Cup
We take a look at five players who failed to perform in the opening round of the 2023 Rugby World Cup in France.
#1. Finn Russell (Scotland)
Planet Rugby 4/10: ” Erratic at best. Scotland’s game driver did not drive anything in this one as he was clearly targeted.”
Telegraph 6/10: “A mixed bag. Collared for two avoidable penalties and marshalled well when the Springboks slowed rucks. Found space with the boot and tackled courageously.”
One fan wrote: “Three guarantees. Life, Death, Finn Russell going missing in a big game.”