England Secures Ninth Straight Win Over Physical 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 scored 4 second-half tries to overcome a physical Fijian team in their second autumn international.
The victory lengthens the English team's winning run to nine games and backs up their triumph over the Wallabies last Saturday.
The home side got on the board first through hooker Cowan-Dickie before the visitors responded with scores by Ikanivere and Muntz.
Number ten the Fijian playmaker failed to convert either try but slotted a penalty goal to take the visitors further ahead before Feyi-Waboso crossed.
Prop Genge and Ikanivere then traded scores to begin an thrilling final forty minutes.
Replacements George and Arundell, who showed his blistering speed, touched down to take the English side into a comfortable lead.
These tries came around Fijian halfback Simi Kuruvoli fumbling the ball when attempting to score.
Skipper Itoje, who also came off the bench, secured the last touchdown.
The English team now face the All Blacks next Saturday in their toughest test theoretically this autumn.
The Fijians Begin Strongly to Pressure England
Prior to this encounter, England had won eight of their 9 games with Fiji – most lately taking 30-24 in the quarter-finals 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 Fiji on a five-game streak – their equal best streak since the late nineties – the fixture was always expected to be competitive.
Following smooth attacking phases, back rower Chandler Cunningham-South gained valuable meters before the hooker forced his way over for the opening score from close range, with the Fijian's score off the back of a maul providing a swift reply.
Known as the Flying Fijians, that was clear in defense through powerful first-half midfield hits, with number fifteen Marcus Smith, deployed as a second playmaker, in especial targeted.
But it was the classic Fijian attacking flair that was the highlight in the opening half as passes out of the tackle sliced through the English defense for Muntz to score.
The winger sharply finished a cross-field kick by Smith to take England ahead after he had been illegally challenged in the air by Selestino Ravutaumada, who was awarded a yellow card following a video review.
The English Impact Substitutes Delivers Again
England broke clear from Australia last Saturday in the last twenty minutes through the power of their bench that contained six British and Irish Lions.
A significantly altered starting lineup from the win over the Australians did grab the following touchdown as Genge went over following a powerful run by Lawrence, who was returning to the national side after tearing his Achilles tendon versus the Italians in spring.
However, after a clever line-out move was finished by Ikanivere, Borthwick introduced five of his substitutes on the 54-minute mark – including Lions players Henry Pollock and Tom Curry.
With the game still in the balance, Fiji scrum-half Kuruvoli lost control of the ball when reaching for the tryline to negate substitute the hooker's score.
Flanker Earl, a try-scorer versus the Wallabies, produced a stunning try-saving tackle to keep breathing room between the sides.
It topped off another all-round impressive display by the flanker, who received consecutive man of the match honors.
Arundell's pace to race on to a grubber kick demonstrated exactly why England's bench is so influential.
It is full of stars and quality, which has aided in victories in the closing stages that were lost against Australia and the All Blacks last autumn.
Considering Scotland pushed the All Blacks hard, Borthwick's side will feel confident of making a big statement next week.
If successful, the substitutes will likely 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
Refereeing Team
Referee: Paul Williams (New Zealand)
Assistant referee: Luc Ramos (France) and Katsuki Furuse (Japan)
Television match official: Mike Adamson (Scotland)
