England Claims Ninth Consecutive Win Against Physical Fiji
Autumn International Series
England (14) 38
Tries: Cowan-Dickie, Feyi-Waboso, Genge, George, Arundell, Itoje Cons: F Smith 5
Fiji (13) 18
Tries: Ikanivere 2, Muntz Pen: Muntz
The English squad scored four second-half tries to overcome a tough Fiji side in their latest fall test match.
The victory lengthens Steve Borthwick's side's winning run to nine matches and backs up their win over Australia the previous weekend.
The home side got on the board first through hooker Cowan-Dickie before the visitors answered back with scores by Tevita Ikanivere and Caleb Muntz.
Number ten the Fijian playmaker failed to convert either try but kicked a penalty goal to take the visitors further ahead before Feyi-Waboso crossed.
Ellis Genge and the Fijian hooker then traded scores to spark an exciting final forty minutes.
Replacements Jamie George and Henry Arundell, who displayed his scintillating pace, touched down to take the hosts into a comfortable lead.
These tries came either side of Fijian halfback Kuruvoli fumbling the ball when going for the tryline.
England captain Maro Itoje, who also entered as a substitute, secured the final try.
The English team now face New Zealand this coming weekend in their biggest challenge on paper this fall.
The Fijians Start Fast to Challenge The English
Before this meeting, the English team had won 8 of their nine matches with Fiji – most recently winning a close contest in the last eight of the 2023 World Cup.
Their sole loss came just weeks before the tournament in Europe and was a major turning point under the head coach.
With the Pacific Islanders on a five-match winning run – their joint longest run since the late nineties – the game was always expected to be tight.
Following smooth attacking phases, back rower Chandler Cunningham-South gained valuable meters before the hooker forced his way over for the first try from short distance, with the Fijian's score off the back of a driving maul providing a swift reply.
Known as the Flying Fijians, that was evident in defense through powerful opening period midfield hits, with number fifteen Smith, deployed as a second playmaker, in especial targeted.
But it was the vintage Fijian attacking flair that was the highlight in the first forty as passes out of the tackle cut England's defence open for Muntz to score.
The winger expertly collected a cross-field kick by Fin Smith to take the hosts into the lead after he had been dangerously taken out in the air by Selestino Ravutaumada, who was awarded a yellow card following a bunker review.
The English Star Bench Delivers Again
England broke clear from Australia last Saturday in the final quarter through the power of their bench that included six British and Irish Lions.
A much-changed starting XV from the win over the Wallabies did grab the next try as the prop went over following a powerful run by Ollie Lawrence, who was making his international comeback after suffering his Achilles tendon against the Italians in March.
Nonetheless, after a clever set piece was finished by the Fijian, Borthwick introduced several of his substitutes on the 54th minute – including Lions tourists Pollock and Tom Curry.
With the game still up for grabs, Fijian number nine the halfback fumbled of the ball when stretching for the goal line to negate substitute the hooker's score.
Flanker Ben Earl, who scored versus the Wallabies, produced a spectacular try-saving tackle to keep a narrow lead between the teams.
It capped another outstanding overall display by the flanker, who received back-to-back player-of-the-match awards.
Arundell's pace to chase down a kick through showcased exactly why England's bench is so impactful.
It is packed with top players and quality, which has aided in victories in the closing stages that were squandered against the Wallabies and New Zealand last autumn.
Considering Scotland ran New Zealand close, the English team will fancy their chances of sending a message this weekend.
If successful, the bench will likely again be crucial.
Line-ups
England: M Smith; Freeman, Lawrence, Dingwall, Feyi-Waboso; F Smith, Mitchell; Genge, Cowan-Dickie, Heyes, Coles, Chessum, Pepper, Earl, Cunningham-South
Replacements: George, Baxter, Opoku-Fordjour, Itoje, T Curry, Pollock, Spencer, Arundell
Fiji: Rayasi; Ravutaumada, Ravouvou, Tuisova, Wainiqolo; Muntz, Kuruvoli; Mawi, Ikanivere, Doge, Nasilasila, Mayanavanua, Sowakula, Canakaivata, Mata
Replacements: Togiatama, Hetet, Tawake, Vocevoce, Murray, Wye, Armstrong-Ravula, Maqala
Sin-bin: Ravutaumada
Refereeing Team
Referee: Paul Williams (New Zealand)
Assistant referee: Luc Ramos (France) and Katsuki Furuse (Japan)
Television match official: Mike Adamson (Scotland)