The English Team Secures Ninth Consecutive Win Against 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
The English squad notched four second-half tries to beat a tough Fiji side in their latest fall test match.
The victory continues the English team's undefeated streak to nine matches and backs up their triumph over the Wallabies the previous weekend.
The home side got on the board first through hooker Cowan-Dickie before the visitors responded with scores by Tevita Ikanivere and Muntz.
Number ten Muntz failed to convert either try but kicked a penalty to take the Fijians further clear before Feyi-Waboso crossed.
Ellis Genge and Ikanivere then traded scores to ignite an thrilling final forty minutes.
Substitutes George and Henry Arundell, who showed his blistering speed, finished off tries to take the hosts into a comfortable lead.
These tries came around Fiji scrum-half Kuruvoli fumbling the ball when attempting to score.
England captain Maro Itoje, who also entered as a substitute, scored the final try.
The English team now play New Zealand 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 taking a close contest in the last eight of the 2023 World Cup.
Their sole loss came just weeks before the competition in France and was a significant shift under Borthwick.
With Fiji on a five-game streak – their equal best run since the late nineties – the fixture was always expected to be hard-fought.
Following slick phase play, number eight Chandler Cunningham-South made good ground before Cowan-Dickie barged over for the opening score from short distance, with Ikanivere's try off the back of a driving maul providing a swift reply.
Known as the Flying Fijians, that was evident in defence through powerful first-half midfield hits, with full-back Smith, deployed as a additional playmaker, in particular targeted.
But it was the vintage Fijian attacking flair that was the standout moment in the opening half as offloads cut England's defence open for Muntz to score.
Feyi-Waboso sharply finished a cross-field kick 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 yellow card following a video review.
England's Impact Substitutes Shines Once More
The English team pulled away from Australia the previous weekend in the last twenty minutes through the power of their bench that included six British and Irish Lions.
A significantly altered starting XV from the win over the Australians did grab the following touchdown as the prop went over following a strong carry by Ollie Lawrence, who was returning to the national side after tearing his Achilles tendon versus Italy in spring.
Nonetheless, after a smart set piece was finished by the Fijian, Borthwick unloaded several of his bench on the 54-minute mark – featuring Lions tourists Pollock and Curry.
With the match still in the balance, Fiji scrum-half the halfback fumbled of the ball when reaching for the tryline to negate replacement George's try.
Breakdown specialist Ben Earl, a try-scorer versus the Wallabies, produced a spectacular game-saving stop to maintain a narrow lead between the sides.
It capped another outstanding overall display by the flanker, who picked up back-to-back player-of-the-match awards.
The substitute's speed to race on to a grubber kick showcased exactly why the English replacements is so impactful.
It is packed with top players and talent, which has helped secure wins in the final quarter that were squandered versus Australia and the All Blacks the previous fall.
Considering the Scottish side ran New Zealand close, Borthwick's side will fancy their chances of sending a message this weekend.
If successful, the substitutes will probably again be crucial.
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)
