England Earns 9th 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 scored four tries after halftime to defeat a resilient Fijian team in their latest autumn international.
This win extends the English team's undefeated streak to nine games and supports their win over Australia last Saturday.
The home side got on the board first through hooker Cowan-Dickie before Fiji answered back with scores by Tevita Ikanivere and Caleb Muntz.
Number ten Muntz failed to convert either try but slotted a penalty to take the Fijians further clear before Feyi-Waboso scored.
Prop Genge and the Fijian hooker then exchanged tries to spark an thrilling final forty minutes.
Substitutes Jamie George and Arundell, who displayed his scintillating pace, touched down to take the hosts into a comfortable lead.
These tries came around Fiji scrum-half Kuruvoli fumbling the ball when going for the tryline.
England captain Maro Itoje, who also entered as a substitute, scored the last touchdown.
Borthwick's side now play New Zealand this coming weekend in their toughest test on paper this autumn.
Fiji Start Fast to Pressure The English
Prior to this match, the English team had claimed victory in 8 of their 9 matches with Fiji – most recently taking a close contest in the quarter-finals of the 2023 World Cup.
Their sole loss came just weeks before 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 run since 1999 – the fixture was always likely to be competitive.
After smooth attacking phases, number eight Cunningham-South made good ground before the hooker forced his way over for the opening score from close range, with Ikanivere's try off the back of a driving maul providing a quick response.
Nicknamed the Flying Fijians, that was evident in defence through monstrous first-half midfield hits, with full-back Marcus Smith, used as a additional playmaker, in especial picked out.
But it was the classic attacking Fijian flare that was the standout moment in the first forty as offloads cut England's defence open 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 illegally challenged in the air by Selestino Ravutaumada, who was awarded a yellow card following a bunker review.
England's Impact Substitutes Shines Once More
The English team pulled away from the Wallabies the previous weekend in the last twenty minutes through the impact of their bench that contained six British and Irish Lions.
A much-changed starting lineup from the victory over the Australians did score the next try as the prop went over following a strong carry by Lawrence, who was returning to the national side after tearing his Achilles against Italy in spring.
However, after a smart line-out move was completed by Ikanivere, the coach unloaded five of his bench on the 54th minute – including Lions players Pollock and Curry.
With the game still up for grabs, Fijian number nine Kuruvoli lost control of the ball when stretching for the tryline to negate replacement George's try.
Flanker Earl, who scored versus Australia, produced a stunning try-saving tackle to maintain a narrow lead between the sides.
It capped another outstanding overall display by Earl, who picked up consecutive man of the match honors.
Arundell's pace to race on to a kick through showcased exactly why England's bench is so influential.
It is full of stars and quality, which has helped secure wins in the final quarter that were lost versus Australia and the All Blacks last autumn.
Considering the Scottish side ran New Zealand close, the English team will feel confident of sending a message next week.
Should they win, 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
Match Officials
Referee: Paul Williams (New Zealand)
Assistant referee: Luc Ramos (France) and Katsuki Furuse (Japan)
Television match official: Mike Adamson (Scotland)
