Fiji stun Wales to make last eight

NANTES, France -- Wales were sent tumbling out of the Rugby World Cup by Fiji 38-34 after a topsy-turvy and extraordinary match in Nantes which was in doubt until the final whistle.

After fighting back from 25-3 down, Wales appeared to have the match won eight minutes from time when flanker Martyn Williams intercepted a pass from Fijian fly-half Nicky Little and sprinted away for the try.

But Fiji, who had just about appeared to give their all over the previous 72 minutes, refused to concede defeat and prop Graham Dewes was driven over for the winning try.

Fiji now head to Marseille for a quarterfinal against South Africa, their first appearance in the knockout stages since the inaugural World Cup in 1987 while Wales were left shattered by a defeat that means they must endure the indignity of qualifying for the next World Cup.

It was a bitter blow for Wales captain Gareth Thomas was making his 100th and likely last Test appearance appearance, while coach Gareth Jenkins faces an uncertain future after saying he should be judged on results in the World Cup.

Fiji stormed into a 25-3 lead with three tries in the space of 12 first half minutes from Gloucester's Akapusi Qera, winger Vilimoni Delasau and lock Kele Leawere as they broke a feeble Welsh defense at will.

After Alix Popham touched down for a pushover try shortly before the interval, Wales produced a spirited comeback to edge ahead with further scores from Shane Williams, Thomas and Mark Jones.

Williams then picked off Little's pass to score, but crucially fly-half Stephen Jones failed to convert, hitting the woodwork for the third time in a poor kicking display.

Fiji mounted one last attack and Dewes went over in a flurry of bodies.

Wales mounted one last attack, but it was repelled without serious threat by the Fijians who celebrated wildly at the final whistle.

"It hasn't actually sunk in yet," Fiji coach Ilie Tabue said.

"Our goal was to get to the quarter-finals, to achieve it was an amazing feeling... I know it's early morning (in Fiji) but I know the whole of Fiji is awake."

Scotland also reached the quarter-finals later on Saturday defeating Italy 18-16 in a tense winner-takes-all clash between Six Nations rivals.

The Scots have never failed to reach the World Cup last eight and owed their victory to six penalties by Chris Paterson in wet and difficult conditions in St. Eteinne.

Italy scored the only try of the game through skipper Alessandro Troncon with full-back David Bortolussi adding one conversion and three penalties.

"It was a gritty performance," said Paterson. E-mail to a friend