England Secures 9th Consecutive Victory Against Tough Fijian Side
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 racked up 4 tries after halftime to overcome a physical Fijian team in their second fall test match.
This win continues Steve Borthwick's side's undefeated streak to nine games and supports their triumph over the Wallabies the previous weekend.
The home side opened the scoring through Luke Cowan-Dickie before Fiji responded with tries by Ikanivere and Caleb Muntz.
Number ten Muntz missed both conversions but kicked a penalty goal to take the visitors further clear before Feyi-Waboso crossed.
Prop Genge and Ikanivere then exchanged tries to ignite an thrilling second half.
Substitutes George and Arundell, who showed his scintillating pace, touched down to take the hosts clear.
These tries came either side of Fiji scrum-half Kuruvoli dropping the ball when going for the tryline.
England captain Maro Itoje, who also entered as a substitute, secured the last touchdown.
Borthwick's side now meet New Zealand this coming weekend in their toughest test on paper this autumn.
Fiji Start Fast to Pressure England
Prior to this match, the English team had claimed victory in eight of their 9 games with the Fijian side – most lately taking 30-24 in the last eight of the 2023 World Cup.
That one defeat came just weeks before the competition in Europe and was a major turning point under the head coach.
With Fiji on a five-match winning run – their joint longest run since 1999 – the game was always likely to be hard-fought.
After smooth attacking phases, back rower Chandler Cunningham-South gained valuable meters before Cowan-Dickie forced his way over for the first try from close range, with the Fijian's score off the back of a driving maul adding a quick response.
Known as the flying Fijians, that was clear in defense through monstrous opening period midfield hits, with full-back Smith, used as a second playmaker, in especial picked out.
But it was the vintage attacking Fijian flare that was the highlight in the opening half as passes out of the tackle sliced through the English defense for Muntz to score.
Feyi-Waboso sharply finished a cross-field kick by Fin Smith to take England ahead after he had been illegally challenged in the air by Ravutaumada, who was given a sin-binning following a video review.
The English Impact Substitutes Delivers Again
England broke clear from Australia the previous weekend in the final quarter through the power of their bench that contained six British and Irish Lions.
A much-changed starting lineup from the victory over the Wallabies did score the next try as the prop crossed following a powerful run by Lawrence, who was making his international comeback after tearing his Achilles versus Italy in spring.
However, after a clever line-out move was completed by the Fijian, the coach introduced five of his substitutes on the 54th minute – including Lions tourists Pollock and Curry.
With the match still in the balance, Fiji scrum-half the halfback fumbled of the ball when stretching for the goal line to cancel out replacement George's try.
Flanker Ben Earl, who scored against the Wallabies, produced a stunning game-saving stop to keep a narrow lead between the teams.
It capped another outstanding overall display by Earl, who picked up consecutive man of the match honors.
Arundell's pace to chase down a grubber kick demonstrated exactly why the English replacements is so impactful.
It is full of stars and talent, which has helped secure wins in the closing stages that were squandered versus Australia and the All Blacks the previous fall.
Given the Scottish side pushed the All Blacks hard, the English team will fancy their chances of sending a message this weekend.
If successful, the bench will likely play another key factor.
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)
