England Earns Ninth Consecutive Win Over Tough 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
England racked up 4 second-half tries to overcome a resilient Fiji side in their second fall test match.
The victory lengthens Steve Borthwick's side's undefeated streak to nine matches and supports their win over the Wallabies the previous weekend.
The home side got on the board first through Luke Cowan-Dickie before the visitors responded with tries by Ikanivere and Caleb Muntz.
Fly-half the Fijian playmaker failed to convert either try but kicked a penalty goal to take the visitors further clear before Feyi-Waboso scored.
Prop Genge and Ikanivere then exchanged tries to spark an exciting final forty minutes.
Replacements Jamie George and Henry Arundell, who showed his blistering speed, touched down to take the hosts clear.
Those scores came either side of Fijian halfback Kuruvoli spilling the ball when going for the tryline.
England captain Itoje, who also entered as a substitute, grabbed the final try.
The English team now meet New Zealand next Saturday in their biggest challenge theoretically this fall.
The Fijians Start Fast to Challenge England
Before this match, England had claimed victory in eight of their 9 matches with the Fijian side – most recently winning a close contest in the quarter-finals of the last global tournament.
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 equal best streak since the late nineties – the game was always likely to be competitive.
After smooth attacking phases, back rower Chandler Cunningham-South gained valuable meters before Cowan-Dickie barged over for the opening score from close range, with the Fijian's score off the back of a maul adding a swift reply.
Nicknamed the Flying Fijians, that was clear in defence through huge opening period midfield hits, with number fifteen Marcus Smith, used as a second playmaker, in particular picked out.
But it was the classic attacking Fijian flare that was the standout moment in the opening half as offloads sliced through the English defense for Muntz to touch down.
The winger expertly collected a cross-field kick by Fin Smith to take the hosts 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 pulled away from the Wallabies the previous weekend in the last twenty minutes through the strength of their bench that contained multiple Lions tourists.
A significantly altered starting lineup from the victory over the Wallabies did score the following touchdown as Genge went over following a powerful run by Ollie Lawrence, who was returning to the national side after tearing his Achilles against the Italians in March.
Nonetheless, after a clever set piece was finished by the Fijian, the coach unloaded several of his bench on the 54th minute – including Lions tourists Pollock and Curry.
With the match still in the balance, Fiji scrum-half Kuruvoli fumbled of the ball when reaching for the goal line to negate substitute the hooker's score.
Breakdown specialist Earl, who scored versus Australia, produced a spectacular game-saving stop to maintain breathing room between the sides.
It capped another all-round impressive performance by the flanker, who received consecutive man of the match honors.
The substitute's speed to chase down a grubber kick showcased exactly why England's bench is so influential.
It is full of stars and talent, which has helped secure victories in the final quarter that were lost against the Wallabies and New Zealand the previous fall.
Considering Scotland pushed the All Blacks hard, Borthwick's side will feel confident of sending a message next week.
Should they win, the bench will probably play another key factor.
Team Sheets
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
Match Officials
Referee: Paul Williams (New Zealand)
Assistant referee: Luc Ramos (France) and Katsuki Furuse (Japan)
Television match official: Mike Adamson (Scotland)
