England Claims 9th Straight Win Over Tough 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
England racked up 4 second-half tries to overcome a physical Fiji side in their second fall test match.
This win continues Steve Borthwick's side's winning run to nine games and backs up their triumph over the Wallabies the previous weekend.
The home side got on the board first through hooker Cowan-Dickie before the visitors responded with tries by Tevita Ikanivere and Muntz.
Fly-half the Fijian playmaker failed to convert either try but slotted a penalty to take the Fijians further clear before Feyi-Waboso crossed.
Ellis Genge and the Fijian hooker then traded scores to ignite an thrilling final forty minutes.
Replacements George and Arundell, who demonstrated his scintillating pace, finished off tries to take the English side clear.
Those scores came either side of Fiji scrum-half Kuruvoli dropping the ball when attempting to score.
Skipper Maro Itoje, who also entered as a substitute, secured the last touchdown.
The English team now play the All Blacks next Saturday in their biggest challenge theoretically this autumn.
Fiji Start Fast to Pressure The English
Prior to this encounter, England had won eight of their 9 games with the Fijian side – most recently taking a close contest in the quarter-finals of the last global tournament.
That one defeat came two months prior the competition in Europe and was a major turning point under Borthwick.
With Fiji on a five-game streak – their equal best run since 1999 – the fixture was always likely to be hard-fought.
Following smooth attacking phases, back rower Chandler Cunningham-South gained valuable meters before the hooker 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 clear in defence through huge first-half tackles in the center, with full-back Smith, used as a second playmaker, in particular targeted.
But it was the classic attacking Fijian flare that was the standout moment in the opening half as passes out of the tackle sliced through the English defense for the fly-half to touch down.
The winger expertly collected a cross-field kick by Fin Smith to take England ahead after he had been dangerously taken out in the air by Ravutaumada, who was given a yellow card following a video review.
The English Impact Substitutes Delivers Again
England pulled away from the Wallabies the previous weekend in the final quarter through the strength of their replacements that included multiple Lions tourists.
A much-changed starting XV from the victory over the Australians did score the following touchdown as Genge crossed following a strong carry by Ollie Lawrence, who was making his international comeback after suffering his Achilles versus Italy in March.
However, after a clever line-out move was completed by the Fijian, Borthwick introduced several of his substitutes on the 54th minute – featuring Lions players Pollock and Tom Curry.
With the game still in the balance, Fiji scrum-half Kuruvoli fumbled of the ball when reaching for the goal line to negate replacement the hooker's score.
Breakdown specialist Ben Earl, a try-scorer against Australia, produced a spectacular game-saving stop to keep a narrow lead between the teams.
It capped another all-round impressive performance by Earl, who received back-to-back man of the match honors.
The substitute's speed to race on to a grubber kick showcased exactly why the English replacements is so impactful.
It is packed with top players and quality, which has aided in victories in the final quarter that were squandered against the Wallabies and New Zealand last autumn.
Considering Scotland ran New Zealand close, Borthwick's side will feel confident of making a big statement next week.
Should they win, the substitutes will probably play another key factor.
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)
