England Secures 9th Consecutive Victory Against 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 scored 4 second-half tries to defeat a resilient Fijian team in their second fall test match.
This win continues Steve Borthwick's side's winning run to nine matches and supports their win over Australia last Saturday.
England got on the board first through hooker Cowan-Dickie before Fiji responded with scores by Tevita Ikanivere and Muntz.
Number ten the Fijian playmaker failed to convert either try but kicked a penalty goal to take the visitors further clear before Feyi-Waboso crossed.
Ellis Genge and the Fijian hooker then traded scores to ignite an exciting second half.
Substitutes George and Arundell, who showed his blistering speed, touched down to take the hosts clear.
Those scores came around Fijian halfback Simi Kuruvoli dropping the ball when attempting to score.
Skipper Maro Itoje, who also came off the bench, secured the final try.
The English team now face New Zealand this coming weekend in their toughest test on paper this fall.
The Fijians Begin Strongly to Challenge England
Before this meeting, England had won 8 of their 9 matches with Fiji – most recently winning a close contest in the last eight of the last global tournament.
Their sole loss came two months prior the competition in Europe and was a major turning point under the head coach.
With the Pacific Islanders on a five-game streak – their equal best run since the late nineties – the game was always likely to be competitive.
Following slick phase play, number eight Cunningham-South gained valuable meters before the hooker barged over for the first try from close range, with Ikanivere's try off the back of a maul providing a quick response.
Known as the Flying Fijians, that was clear in defense through huge opening period midfield hits, with number fifteen Marcus Smith, used as a second playmaker, in especial targeted.
But it was the classic Fijian attacking flair that was the standout moment in the opening half as offloads cut England's defence open for the fly-half to score.
The winger expertly collected a kick across the field by Smith to take England ahead after he had been dangerously taken out in the air by Selestino Ravutaumada, who was awarded a yellow card following a video review.
England's Star Bench Shines Once More
The English team pulled away from the Wallabies last Saturday in the last twenty minutes through the impact of their replacements that contained six Lions tourists.
A much-changed starting XV from the victory over the Australians did score the next try as the prop went over following a powerful run by Ollie Lawrence, who was making his international comeback after suffering his Achilles versus the Italians in March.
Nonetheless, after a clever set piece was finished by the Fijian, the coach unloaded several of his substitutes on the 54th minute – including Lions tourists Henry Pollock and Curry.
With the game still up for grabs, Fiji scrum-half the halfback lost control of the ball when stretching for the goal line to negate replacement George's try.
Flanker Earl, who scored versus Australia, produced a stunning game-saving stop to keep a narrow lead between the teams.
It topped off another all-round impressive display by Earl, who received back-to-back player-of-the-match awards.
Arundell's pace to chase down a grubber kick demonstrated exactly why England's bench is so impactful.
It is full of top players and talent, which has helped secure victories in the closing stages that were lost against Australia and the All Blacks last autumn.
Given the Scottish side ran New Zealand close, the English team will feel confident of sending a message next week.
Should they win, the bench will likely again be crucial.
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)
