England Earns 9th Straight Win Over Physical 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
The English squad notched 4 tries after halftime to defeat a physical Fijian team in their second fall test match.
The victory continues Steve Borthwick's side's undefeated streak to nine games and backs up their win over the Wallabies last Saturday.
England got on the board first through hooker Cowan-Dickie before the visitors answered back with tries by Ikanivere and Muntz.
Number ten the Fijian playmaker failed to convert either try but slotted a penalty to take the Fijians further ahead before Immanuel Feyi-Waboso crossed.
Prop Genge and Ikanivere then traded scores to ignite an entertaining final forty minutes.
Substitutes George and Henry Arundell, who showed his blistering speed, finished off tries to take the hosts clear.
Those scores came either side of Fiji scrum-half Kuruvoli dropping the ball when going for the tryline.
England captain Itoje, who also entered as a substitute, grabbed the final try.
Borthwick's side now face the All Blacks next Saturday in their toughest test theoretically this fall.
The Fijians Begin Strongly to Challenge England
Prior to this meeting, England had claimed victory in eight of their nine games with the Fijian side – most lately winning a close contest in the last eight 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 joint longest streak since the late nineties – the fixture was always likely to be competitive.
After slick phase play, number eight Cunningham-South made good ground before the hooker barged over for the opening score from close range, with Ikanivere's try off the back of a driving maul providing a quick response.
Known as the flying Fijians, that was apparent in defense through powerful opening period midfield hits, with number fifteen Marcus Smith, used as a additional playmaker, in especial targeted.
But it was the classic attacking Fijian flare that was the highlight in the opening half as offloads cut England's defence open for Muntz to touch down.
The winger expertly collected a kick across the field by Smith to take England into the lead after he had been dangerously taken out in the air by Ravutaumada, who was given 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 final quarter through the impact of their bench that included six Lions tourists.
A much-changed starting lineup from the win over the Australians did score the next try as Genge crossed following a powerful run by Ollie Lawrence, who was making his international comeback after suffering his Achilles tendon versus the Italians in spring.
However, after a smart set piece was finished by the Fijian, the coach unloaded five of his substitutes on the 54th minute – including Lions tourists Henry Pollock and Curry.
With the match still in the balance, Fijian number nine the halfback fumbled of the ball when reaching for the tryline to cancel out replacement the hooker's score.
Flanker Earl, who scored versus the Wallabies, produced a stunning try-saving tackle to maintain a narrow lead between the sides.
It topped off another all-round impressive 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 impactful.
It is full of top players and talent, which has helped secure victories in the final quarter that were lost versus the Wallabies and New Zealand last autumn.
Given Scotland pushed the All Blacks hard, the English team will feel confident of sending a message next week.
If successful, 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
Match Officials
Referee: Paul Williams (New Zealand)
Assistant referee: Luc Ramos (France) and Katsuki Furuse (Japan)
Television match official: Mike Adamson (Scotland)