England Earns 9th 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 4 second-half tries to overcome a physical Fijian team in their second fall test match.
The victory extends the English team's undefeated streak to nine games and follows up their triumph over Australia the previous weekend.
The home side opened the scoring through Luke Cowan-Dickie before Fiji answered back with tries by Tevita Ikanivere and Muntz.
Fly-half the Fijian playmaker failed to convert either try but nailed a penalty to take the visitors further clear before Feyi-Waboso scored.
Prop Genge and the Fijian hooker then traded scores to begin an exciting second half.
Substitutes George and Arundell, who showed his blistering speed, touched down to take the hosts clear.
These tries came either side of Fiji scrum-half Simi Kuruvoli spilling the ball when going for the tryline.
Skipper Itoje, who also came off the bench, secured the last touchdown.
The English team now play the All Blacks next Saturday in their toughest test on paper this autumn.
Fiji Begin Strongly to Challenge The English
Before this meeting, England had won 8 of their 9 games with the Fijian side – most recently taking 30-24 in the last eight of the last global tournament.
Their sole loss came two months prior the tournament in France and was a major turning point under the head coach.
With the Pacific Islanders on a five-match winning run – their joint longest run since 1999 – the fixture was always likely to be competitive.
After 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 adding a swift reply.
Known as the flying Fijians, that was apparent in defense through huge opening period midfield hits, with full-back Smith, deployed as a second playmaker, in particular picked out.
But it was the classic Fijian attacking flair that was the standout moment in the first forty as passes out of the tackle sliced through the English defense for Muntz to score.
The winger expertly collected a kick across the field by Smith to take England ahead after he had been illegally challenged in the air by Selestino Ravutaumada, who was given a yellow card following a bunker review.
The English Star Bench Shines Once More
The English team broke clear from the Wallabies last Saturday in the last twenty minutes through the strength of their bench that included six British and Irish Lions.
A much-changed starting XV from the win over the Australians did grab the next try as the prop went over following a strong carry by Lawrence, who was returning to the national side after suffering his Achilles versus Italy in spring.
However, after a smart set piece was completed by the Fijian, the coach unloaded several of his substitutes on the 54-minute mark – including Lions tourists Henry Pollock and Tom Curry.
With the game still up for grabs, Fijian number nine the halfback lost control of the ball when reaching for the tryline to negate replacement George's try.
Flanker Ben Earl, who scored against Australia, produced a stunning game-saving stop to maintain breathing room between the teams.
It capped another outstanding overall display by Earl, who picked up consecutive player-of-the-match awards.
The substitute's speed to race on to a grubber kick showcased exactly why the English replacements is so influential.
It is full of top players and talent, which has helped secure victories in the closing stages that were squandered versus Australia and the All Blacks the previous fall.
Considering Scotland ran New Zealand close, the English team will feel confident of sending a message this weekend.
Should they win, the bench will probably 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
Match Officials
Referee: Paul Williams (New Zealand)
Assistant referee: Luc Ramos (France) and Katsuki Furuse (Japan)
Television match official: Mike Adamson (Scotland)
