England Claims Ninth Consecutive Win Against Physical 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 notched 4 tries after halftime to defeat a physical Fiji side in their second autumn international.
This win continues Steve Borthwick's side's undefeated streak to nine matches and backs up their win over Australia the previous weekend.
England opened the scoring through Luke Cowan-Dickie before the visitors responded with tries by Ikanivere and Muntz.
Fly-half the Fijian playmaker missed both conversions but kicked a penalty goal to take the Fijians further clear before Feyi-Waboso scored.
Ellis Genge and the Fijian hooker then exchanged tries to spark an exciting second half.
Replacements George and Arundell, who showed his scintillating pace, touched down to take the hosts clear.
These tries came either side of Fijian halfback Simi Kuruvoli spilling the ball when attempting to score.
England captain Itoje, who also entered as a substitute, scored the final try.
The English team now play New Zealand next Saturday in their biggest challenge theoretically this autumn.
Fiji Begin Strongly to Challenge England
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 competition in Europe and was a significant shift under the head coach.
With the Pacific Islanders on a five-game streak – their joint longest run since the late nineties – the game was always likely to be competitive.
Following smooth attacking phases, back rower Chandler Cunningham-South made good ground before Cowan-Dickie barged over for the opening score from short distance, with Ikanivere's try off the back of a driving maul adding a swift reply.
Nicknamed the Flying Fijians, that was evident in defence through huge opening period tackles in the center, with number fifteen Smith, deployed as a second playmaker, in particular targeted.
But it was the classic attacking Fijian flare that was the standout moment in the first forty as passes out of the tackle cut England's defence open for the fly-half to touch down.
The winger sharply finished a kick across the field by Smith to take England ahead after he had been dangerously taken out in the air by Ravutaumada, who was awarded a yellow card following a bunker review.
The English Impact Substitutes Delivers Again
England pulled away from Australia the previous weekend in the final quarter through the impact of their bench that contained multiple British and Irish Lions.
A significantly altered starting lineup from the win over the Wallabies did score the next try as Genge went over following a strong carry by Lawrence, who was returning to the national side after suffering his Achilles tendon versus the Italians in spring.
Nonetheless, after a smart line-out move was completed by the Fijian, the coach unloaded five of his bench on the 54th minute – featuring 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 replacement 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 topped off another all-round impressive performance by the flanker, who received consecutive man of the match honors.
The substitute's speed to chase down a kick through showcased exactly why the English replacements is so impactful.
It is packed with stars and talent, which has aided in wins in the final quarter that were lost versus Australia and the All Blacks last autumn.
Considering Scotland ran New Zealand close, the English team will fancy their chances of making a big statement this weekend.
If successful, the substitutes 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)
