England Secures 9th Straight Victory Against Physical Fijian Side
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 second-half tries to defeat a tough Fiji side in their second autumn international.
The victory lengthens Steve Borthwick's side's undefeated streak to nine games and follows up their win over the Wallabies last Saturday.
The home side opened the scoring through Luke Cowan-Dickie before Fiji responded with tries by Ikanivere and Muntz.
Number ten the Fijian playmaker missed both conversions but kicked a penalty goal to take the visitors further ahead before Feyi-Waboso scored.
Ellis Genge and the Fijian hooker then exchanged tries to ignite an thrilling second half.
Replacements Jamie George and Henry Arundell, who demonstrated his scintillating pace, touched down to take the hosts clear.
Those scores came around Fijian halfback Simi Kuruvoli dropping the ball when going for the tryline.
England captain Maro Itoje, who also came off the bench, scored the final try.
Borthwick's side now play New Zealand this coming weekend in their toughest test on paper this fall.
The Fijians Start Fast to Pressure England
Before this encounter, the English team had won eight of their nine games with the Fijian side – most recently taking 30-24 in the last eight of the last global tournament.
That one defeat came just weeks before the competition in France and was a major turning point under Borthwick.
With the Pacific Islanders on a five-game streak – their joint longest run since the late nineties – the fixture was always likely to be competitive.
After smooth attacking phases, back rower Chandler Cunningham-South made good ground before the hooker barged over for the opening score from short distance, with the Fijian's score off the back of a driving maul providing a swift reply.
Known as the Flying Fijians, that was clear in defence through monstrous opening period tackles in the center, with full-back Smith, used as a additional playmaker, in especial picked out.
But it was the classic attacking Fijian flare that was the highlight in the opening half as passes out of the tackle cut England's defence open for the fly-half to score.
The winger sharply finished a kick across the field by Fin Smith to take the hosts into the lead after he had been dangerously taken out in the air by Selestino Ravutaumada, who was given a sin-binning following a video review.
England's Star Bench Delivers Again
The English team broke clear from Australia last Saturday in the last twenty minutes through the power of their replacements that contained multiple British and Irish Lions.
A much-changed starting XV from the victory over the Wallabies did grab the next try as Genge crossed following a powerful run by Lawrence, who was returning to the national side after suffering his Achilles tendon versus Italy in spring.
Nonetheless, after a clever line-out move was completed by the Fijian, Borthwick introduced several of his substitutes on the 54-minute mark – featuring Lions players Pollock and Tom Curry.
With the match still up for grabs, Fijian number nine Kuruvoli fumbled of the ball when stretching for the goal line to cancel out substitute the hooker's score.
Breakdown specialist Ben Earl, a try-scorer versus Australia, produced a stunning game-saving stop to keep a narrow lead between the sides.
It capped another outstanding overall performance by the flanker, who picked up consecutive man of the match honors.
The substitute's speed to chase down a kick through demonstrated exactly why England's bench is so influential.
It is full of top players and quality, which has aided in victories in the closing stages that were squandered versus Australia and the All Blacks last autumn.
Given Scotland ran New Zealand close, Borthwick's side 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
Refereeing Team
Referee: Paul Williams (New Zealand)
Assistant referee: Luc Ramos (France) and Katsuki Furuse (Japan)
Television match official: Mike Adamson (Scotland)
