If Wales thought their 41-3 drubbing against New Zealand last weekend was bad, then tonight’s effort threatened to plumb the depths in front of a disbelieving 73,000 crowd.

Coach Mike Ruddock could only watch in disbelief as his players frittered away numerous chances and saw fly-half Nicky Robinson land only one place-kick at goal from four attempts.

Robinson came up trumps though with a 75th-minute drop-goal which put Wales ahead for the first time and spared their blushes.

Wales skipper Michael Owen scored a pushover try 14 minutes from time, but Fiji magnificently held out until Robinson struck after a scorching first-half try by lock Ifereimi Rawaqa, converted by centre Julien Vulakoro, and fly-half Seremaia Bai’s crucial drop-goal.

Wales were a pale shadow of the side that reigned supreme in Europe last season, and they appear in no real state to tackle remaining autumn opponents South Africa and Australia.

To compound matters for Ruddock, he also saw three key forwards – flanker Dafydd Jones, lock Brent Cockbain and prop Chris Horsman – depart injured, and they all appear doubtful starters against the Springboks tomorrow week.

Ruddock’s immediate concern though will be how to raise Welsh performance levels, but that should not be difficult given how far they have sunk.

Fiji, in contrast, were superb, giving a huge lift to South Sea Islands rugby and almost leaving Cardiff with a win they could scarcely have believed possible.

Ruddock made 11 changes following the All Blacks defeat, with full-back Lee Byrne and Horsman handed full Test debuts and number eight Owen taking over as captain from Gareth Thomas, who had been released to join his club Toulouse for French Championship duty.

Fiji, smashed 91-0 by New Zealand in Auckland earlier this year, will face Wales during the 2007 World Cup pool stages, and their line-up featured just three European-based players – Saracens scrum-half Moses Rauluni, Biarritz wing Sereli Bobo and Agen flanker Aca Ratuva.

Wales looked to make their presence felt from the start, but they encountered some aggressive Fijian tackling and it rattled the home side.

Wing Shane Williams lost his cool at one point – and then dropped a high ball in open play – while goalkickers Vulakoro and Robinson missed three penalties between them during the opening 10 minutes.

Fiji, who had never beaten Wales in five previous attempts, continued to fritter away penalty chances, with Vulakoro sending a 17th-minute shot wide.

Wales looked to have cracked Fiji open approaching the end of a poor opening quarter when centre Matthew Watkins sparked a promising move, but flanker Martyn Williams could not gather a pass around his ankles and the chance went begging.

Watkins’ midfield partner Sonny Parker then set up another golden opportunity only for Williams to again spill the pass, this time a far more straightforward chance.

The bumper crowd could scarcely believe Wales’ alarming error count, and things got worse for Ruddock when Jones limped off to be replaced by Alix Popham, before Robinson sliced a simple 35-metre penalty woefully wide.

Even simple skills like passing and catching were made to look difficult, and Fiji merely absorbed Wales’ attacking efforts as the home side kept fumbling their way through an appalling first half.

Cockbain joined Jones in making an early exit as he was stretchered off, and Fiji struck a minute before the break when lock Rawaqa sprinted 60 metres for a spectacular try which Vulakoro converted.

Fiji, their confidence lifted by Rawaqa’s touchdown, began the second period by pressing for another score, and Wales had to defend resiliently before mounting a swift counter-attack.

Wing Kevin Morgan was sent clear in space but he lacked the confidence to take on Fiji’s last defender and another opportunity passed Wales by.

There was no let-up in terms of injuries for Ruddock, with Horsman hobbling away on 46 minutes.

Ospreys prop Adam Jones replaced Horsman, while centre Ceri Sweeney took over from Morgan, which meant the impressive Watkins being switched to wing duties.

But there was still no sign of Wales scoring as the clock ticked past 50 minutes, and Fiji should have extended their lead, but Bai – who replaced Vulakoro as kicker after the centre missed four shots at goal – struck an angled 30-metre penalty off-target.

Ruddock’s exasperated glare was flashed across the stadium’s giant television screens, and his mood darkened just two minutes later when Bai dropped a goal and Byrne had a try disallowed by Scottish referee Rob Dickson following a forward pass.

Robinson belatedly opened Wales’ account with a 58th-minute penalty, but they trailed by seven points entering the final quarter and it took the drop-goal after Owen touched down to belatedly save the day.