And it's goodnight Wales...

Wales have been knocked out of the rugby world cup, after a 38 points to 34 defeat to Fiji, who in turn, now progress to the quarter finals. This was arguably one of the best games of rugby played at a world cup. It was fast, open, free-running rugby, with lots of tries, played on a clear sunny afternoon. The stakes added to the pressure, and made it all the more fascinating, with spectators not knowing which way the game would shift next, especially with the lead exchanging hand three times in the last 8 minutes.

Wales will be bitterly disappointed to have missed out on making the quarter finals, and this was a game they should have. They started well enough, taking a 3 nil lead, but Fiji then struck back to take a 25 points to 3 lead, despite having a player in the sin bin. Wales pulled back a try before half-time, but missed a penalty through James Hook on the hooter. This was the story of Wales' day, with several missed kicks, including two Stephen Jones conversions in the second half rebounding off the post, costing Wales a quarter final berth.

Wales took the lead ten minutes in to the second half with 3 quick tries, but from then on it was a tight affair, the lead changing hands several times, before Fiji snatched a late try and held on to progress to the quarter finals for the first time.

This defeat for Wales was just another match in this world cup which depicted how far behind the northern hemisphere sides are behind the southern hemisphere, in terms of physicality, in terms of pace, in terms of ability. Fiji took on Wales in the physical stakes and battered them. Yes Wales had the technical advantage in the scrum, but every time Fiji took the ball up, they made yards, and Wales struggled to the live with them. And that is the story with every north v south encounter, and was also shown with the South Africa v England match. The South Africans had a dynamism, which comes from this increased physicality, which the northern hemisphere sides are struggling to keep up with. We are some way behind, and need to catch up before the gap becomes insurmountable.

Scotland also qualified for the last 16 with a close 18-16 win over Italy. Scotland boast an impressive record this tournament, having not missed a kick at goal so far.