The English Team Earns Ninth Consecutive Win Over Tough Fijian Side
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 racked up four tries after halftime to defeat a resilient Fijian team in their second autumn international.
This win continues Steve Borthwick's side's winning run to nine games and backs up their triumph over Australia last Saturday.
England opened the scoring through hooker Cowan-Dickie before Fiji answered back with scores by Ikanivere and Caleb Muntz.
Fly-half Muntz failed to convert either try but slotted a penalty goal to take the Fijians further clear before Feyi-Waboso scored.
Ellis Genge and Ikanivere then traded scores to begin an entertaining second half.
Substitutes George and Arundell, who showed 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.
England captain Maro Itoje, who also came off the bench, scored the final try.
Borthwick's side now face the All Blacks next Saturday in their biggest challenge theoretically this autumn.
The Fijians Start Fast to Pressure The English
Before this encounter, England had claimed victory in eight of their 9 matches with Fiji – most lately winning a close contest in the quarter-finals of the last global tournament.
That one defeat came two months prior the competition in France and was a major turning point under Borthwick.
With Fiji on a five-match winning run – their joint longest streak since 1999 – the game was always expected to be tight.
After slick phase play, back rower Chandler Cunningham-South made good ground before the hooker barged over for the opening score from close range, with the Fijian's score off the back of a maul adding a swift reply.
Nicknamed the flying Fijians, that was evident in defence through powerful opening period tackles in the center, with number fifteen Marcus Smith, used as a additional playmaker, in particular targeted.
But it was the classic Fijian attacking flair that was the highlight in the opening half as offloads cut England's defence open for Muntz to score.
Feyi-Waboso expertly collected a kick across the field by Fin Smith to take the hosts ahead after he had been illegally challenged in the air by Ravutaumada, who was given a sin-binning following a bunker review.
The English Star Bench Delivers Again
England broke clear from the Wallabies last Saturday in the final quarter through the impact of their bench that contained six Lions tourists.
A much-changed starting lineup from the win over the Australians did score the following touchdown as the prop crossed following a strong carry by Lawrence, who was making his international comeback after tearing his Achilles tendon against Italy in spring.
However, after a smart line-out move was completed by Ikanivere, Borthwick introduced five of his substitutes on the 54th minute – including Lions tourists Pollock and Tom Curry.
With the match still up for grabs, Fijian number nine the halfback fumbled of the ball when stretching for the tryline to cancel out replacement the hooker's score.
Flanker Ben Earl, who scored against Australia, produced a stunning try-saving tackle to maintain breathing room between the sides.
It capped another outstanding overall performance by the flanker, who picked up back-to-back player-of-the-match awards.
Arundell's pace to chase down a grubber kick showcased exactly why the English replacements is so impactful.
It is packed with stars and quality, which has aided in victories in the closing stages that were squandered against Australia and the All Blacks the previous fall.
Given Scotland pushed the All Blacks hard, the English team will feel confident of sending a message this weekend.
Should they win, the bench 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)
