England Secures Ninth Straight 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 four tries after halftime to beat a resilient Fijian team in their second fall test match.

This win lengthens the English team's undefeated streak to nine games and follows up their triumph over the Wallabies last Saturday.

The home side got on the board first through Luke Cowan-Dickie before the visitors answered back with tries by Tevita Ikanivere and Muntz.

Number ten the Fijian playmaker failed to convert either try but nailed a penalty to take the Fijians further clear before Feyi-Waboso scored.

Ellis Genge and the Fijian hooker then traded scores to spark an thrilling second half.

Substitutes Jamie George and Henry Arundell, who displayed his scintillating pace, finished off tries to take the hosts into a comfortable lead.

These tries came around Fijian halfback Simi Kuruvoli spilling the ball when going for the tryline.

England captain Maro Itoje, who also entered as a substitute, secured the last touchdown.

Borthwick's side now play New Zealand this coming weekend in their toughest test on paper this fall.

Before this match, the English team had claimed victory in eight of their 9 games with the Fijian side – most lately taking 30-24 in the last eight of the last global tournament.

That one defeat came just weeks before the competition in Europe and was a major turning point under the head coach.

With Fiji on a five-game streak – their equal best run since the late nineties – the fixture was always expected to be competitive.

Following slick phase play, back rower 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 maul adding a quick response.

Known as the Flying Fijians, that was evident in defence through monstrous opening period midfield hits, with number fifteen Smith, deployed as a second playmaker, in especial targeted.

But it was the classic attacking Fijian flare that was the highlight in the opening half as offloads sliced through the English defense for Muntz to touch down.

Feyi-Waboso sharply finished a cross-field kick by Smith to take England into the lead after he had been illegally challenged in the air by Ravutaumada, who was awarded a sin-binning following a video review.

The English team broke clear from the Wallabies the previous weekend in the last twenty minutes through the strength of their bench that included six Lions tourists.

A significantly altered starting XV from the win over the Australians did score the next try as Genge went over following a powerful run by Lawrence, who was making his international comeback after suffering his Achilles against the Italians in spring.

However, after a clever line-out move was completed by Ikanivere, the coach unloaded five of his substitutes on the 54-minute mark – featuring Lions tourists Henry Pollock and Curry.

With the game still up for grabs, Fiji scrum-half Kuruvoli lost control of the ball when stretching for the tryline to cancel out replacement George's try.

Breakdown specialist Earl, who scored versus the Wallabies, produced a spectacular try-saving tackle to keep breathing room between the teams.

It capped another outstanding overall display by the flanker, who received consecutive man of the match honors.

The substitute's speed to race on to a grubber kick showcased exactly why England's bench is so influential.

It is packed with top players and quality, which has aided in wins in the final quarter that were lost versus the Wallabies and New Zealand the previous fall.

Considering Scotland ran New Zealand close, Borthwick's side will feel confident of sending a message this weekend.

If successful, the bench will probably again be crucial.

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

Referee: Paul Williams (New Zealand)

Assistant referee: Luc Ramos (France) and Katsuki Furuse (Japan)

Television match official: Mike Adamson (Scotland)