The English Team Secures Ninth Consecutive Win Against Physical Fiji
Quilter Nations 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 second-half tries to defeat a physical Fiji side in their latest fall test match.
The victory extends Steve Borthwick's side's undefeated streak to nine games and follows up their win over the Wallabies the previous weekend.
England opened the scoring through hooker Cowan-Dickie before Fiji responded with scores by Tevita Ikanivere and Muntz.
Number ten Muntz missed both conversions 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 ignite an entertaining second half.
Substitutes George and Arundell, who showed his blistering speed, touched down to take the English side clear.
These tries came around Fiji scrum-half Kuruvoli dropping the ball when attempting to score.
Skipper Itoje, who also entered as a substitute, grabbed the last touchdown.
The English team now face New Zealand next Saturday in their biggest challenge theoretically this fall.
The Fijians Start Fast to Pressure The English
Before this match, England had claimed victory in 8 of their 9 matches with the Fijian side – 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 significant shift under the head coach.
With the Pacific Islanders on a five-game streak – their equal best run since 1999 – the fixture was always expected to be tight.
After slick phase play, number eight Chandler Cunningham-South made good ground before Cowan-Dickie barged over for the first try from short distance, with Ikanivere's try off the back of a driving maul providing a swift reply.
Nicknamed the flying Fijians, that was evident in defense through huge first-half midfield hits, with number fifteen Smith, deployed as a additional playmaker, in particular picked out.
But it was the classic Fijian attacking flair that was the standout moment in the opening half as offloads cut England's defence open for the fly-half to touch down.
The winger sharply finished a cross-field kick by Fin Smith to take England into the lead after he had been illegally challenged in the air by Ravutaumada, who was given a yellow card following a bunker review.
The English Impact Substitutes Shines Once More
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 significantly altered starting XV from the victory over the Wallabies did grab the following touchdown as the prop crossed following a strong carry by Lawrence, who was making his international comeback after tearing his Achilles tendon versus Italy in spring.
However, after a smart set piece was completed by the Fijian, Borthwick introduced five of his substitutes on the 54-minute mark – including Lions players Pollock and Curry.
With the match still up for grabs, Fiji scrum-half Kuruvoli fumbled of the ball when stretching for the tryline to cancel out substitute George's try.
Flanker Ben Earl, a try-scorer versus the Wallabies, produced a stunning try-saving tackle to maintain a narrow lead between the sides.
It capped another outstanding overall performance by the flanker, who received consecutive player-of-the-match awards.
The substitute's speed to race on to a grubber kick showcased exactly why England's bench is so influential.
It is full of top players and quality, which has aided in victories in the final quarter that were lost against Australia and the All Blacks last autumn.
Given the Scottish side pushed the All Blacks hard, the English team will feel confident of sending a message this weekend.
Should they win, the bench will probably 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)
