England Earns Ninth Straight Victory 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 notched four tries after halftime to overcome a physical Fiji side in their second autumn international.
This win extends Steve Borthwick's side's winning run to nine matches and backs up their win over Australia last Saturday.
The home side got on the board first through Luke Cowan-Dickie before the visitors answered back with scores by Ikanivere and Caleb Muntz.
Number ten Muntz missed both conversions but slotted a penalty to take the Fijians further clear before Immanuel Feyi-Waboso crossed.
Ellis Genge and the Fijian hooker then exchanged tries to begin an exciting second half.
Substitutes George and Arundell, who displayed his blistering speed, touched down to take the hosts clear.
Those scores came around Fiji scrum-half Kuruvoli dropping the ball when going for the tryline.
Skipper Maro Itoje, who also came off the bench, grabbed the final try.
Borthwick's side now play the All Blacks next Saturday in their biggest challenge theoretically this fall.
The Fijians Begin Strongly to Pressure The English
Before this match, the English team had claimed victory in 8 of their 9 games with the Fijian side – most lately taking 30-24 in the last eight of the 2023 World Cup.
Their sole loss came two months prior the competition in Europe and was a major turning point under the head coach.
With Fiji on a five-match winning run – their equal best streak since the late nineties – the fixture was always expected to be competitive.
Following smooth attacking phases, number eight 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 maul providing a swift reply.
Nicknamed the Flying Fijians, that was apparent in defence through monstrous first-half midfield hits, with full-back Smith, used as a additional playmaker, in particular picked out.
But it was the vintage attacking Fijian flare that was the highlight in the first forty as offloads sliced through the English defense for the fly-half to score.
Feyi-Waboso expertly collected a kick across the field by Smith to take England into the lead after he had been illegally challenged in the air by Ravutaumada, who was awarded a sin-binning following a bunker review.
The English Impact Substitutes Delivers Again
England broke clear from the Wallabies the previous weekend in the last twenty minutes through the power of their replacements that included six Lions tourists.
A much-changed starting XV from the victory over the Wallabies did grab the next try as Genge went over following a powerful run by Ollie Lawrence, who was returning to the national side after tearing his Achilles tendon against Italy in March.
Nonetheless, after a smart set piece was completed by the Fijian, Borthwick introduced five of his substitutes on the 54th minute – featuring Lions tourists Henry Pollock and Tom Curry.
With the match still up for grabs, Fiji scrum-half the halfback fumbled of the ball when reaching for the tryline to cancel out substitute George's try.
Flanker Earl, who scored against Australia, produced a stunning try-saving tackle to maintain a narrow lead between the sides.
It capped another outstanding overall display by Earl, who received back-to-back player-of-the-match awards.
Arundell's pace to race on to a grubber kick demonstrated exactly why the English replacements is so influential.
It is full of stars and talent, which has aided in wins in the closing stages that were lost against Australia and the All Blacks last autumn.
Given the Scottish side pushed the All Blacks hard, the English team will feel confident of sending a message next week.
If successful, the substitutes will likely 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
Match Officials
Referee: Paul Williams (New Zealand)
Assistant referee: Luc Ramos (France) and Katsuki Furuse (Japan)
Television match official: Mike Adamson (Scotland)