England Claims Ninth Consecutive Victory Over Tough Fijian Side
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 notched four second-half tries to defeat a physical Fijian team in their latest fall test match.
The victory continues Steve Borthwick's side's undefeated streak to nine games and follows up their win over the Wallabies last Saturday.
The home side got on the board first through Luke Cowan-Dickie before Fiji answered back with tries by Ikanivere and Caleb Muntz.
Number ten the Fijian playmaker failed to convert either try but slotted a penalty to take the visitors further clear before Immanuel Feyi-Waboso crossed.
Prop Genge and Ikanivere then exchanged tries to begin an thrilling final forty minutes.
Substitutes George and Arundell, who displayed his blistering speed, touched down to take the hosts clear.
These tries came either side of Fiji scrum-half Simi Kuruvoli fumbling the ball when attempting to score.
England captain Maro Itoje, who also entered as a substitute, secured the last touchdown.
Borthwick's side now face New Zealand next Saturday in their toughest test theoretically this fall.
The Fijians Begin Strongly to Challenge The English
Prior to this encounter, England had won 8 of their 9 games with Fiji – most recently taking 30-24 in the last eight of the 2023 World Cup.
Their sole loss came just weeks before the tournament in France and was a major turning point under Borthwick.
With the Pacific Islanders on a five-game streak – their joint longest run since 1999 – the game was always expected to be hard-fought.
Following smooth attacking phases, number eight Chandler Cunningham-South gained valuable meters before the hooker barged over for the first try from short distance, with the Fijian's score off the back of a driving maul adding a swift reply.
Nicknamed the flying Fijians, that was clear in defense through monstrous opening period midfield hits, with number fifteen Marcus Smith, used as a second playmaker, in particular targeted.
But it was the vintage Fijian attacking flair that was the highlight in the opening half as offloads cut England's defence open for the fly-half to score.
The winger expertly collected a kick across the field by Fin Smith to take the hosts ahead after he had been illegally challenged in the air by Selestino Ravutaumada, who was awarded a sin-binning following a video review.
England's Impact Substitutes Shines Once More
The English team pulled away from Australia the previous weekend in the final quarter through the power of their bench that included multiple Lions tourists.
A significantly altered starting lineup from the win over the Wallabies did score the next try as the prop crossed following a strong carry by Lawrence, who was making his international comeback after tearing his Achilles tendon versus the Italians in March.
However, after a smart set piece was finished by Ikanivere, the coach unloaded several of his substitutes on the 54th minute – including Lions players Henry Pollock and Tom Curry.
With the game still in the balance, Fijian number nine Kuruvoli fumbled of the ball when stretching for the tryline to cancel out replacement the hooker's score.
Breakdown specialist Earl, a try-scorer against the Wallabies, produced a spectacular game-saving stop to maintain breathing room between the teams.
It capped another outstanding overall 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 full of top players and quality, which has aided in victories in the closing stages that were lost against the Wallabies and New Zealand the previous fall.
Considering the Scottish side ran New Zealand close, the English team will feel confident of making a big statement next week.
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)
