The English Team Earns Ninth Straight Victory Against Physical 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 tough Fijian team in their second fall test match.
This win lengthens the English team's winning run to nine games and backs up their win over Australia the previous weekend.
The home side got on the board first through Luke Cowan-Dickie before the visitors answered back with scores by Tevita Ikanivere and Caleb Muntz.
Fly-half the Fijian playmaker missed both conversions but slotted a penalty goal to take the Fijians further ahead before Feyi-Waboso scored.
Ellis Genge and the Fijian hooker then traded scores to ignite an thrilling second half.
Replacements George and Henry Arundell, who demonstrated his scintillating pace, touched down to take the hosts into a comfortable lead.
These tries came either side of Fiji scrum-half Simi Kuruvoli dropping the ball when attempting to score.
England captain Maro Itoje, who also came off the bench, grabbed the final try.
The English team now play the All Blacks next Saturday in their toughest test theoretically this fall.
Fiji Start Fast to Challenge The English
Before this match, England had won eight of their nine matches with Fiji – most lately taking a close contest in the last eight of the last global tournament.
That one defeat came just weeks before the competition in France and was a major turning point under the head coach.
With Fiji on a five-match winning run – their equal best run since the late nineties – the game was always likely to be competitive.
After smooth attacking phases, back rower Cunningham-South made good ground before the hooker forced his way over for the opening score from short distance, with the Fijian's score off the back of a maul providing a quick response.
Nicknamed the flying Fijians, that was clear in defence through monstrous first-half tackles in the center, with number fifteen Marcus Smith, used as a second playmaker, in especial targeted.
But it was the vintage Fijian attacking flair that was the standout moment in the first forty as passes out of the tackle cut England's defence open for Muntz to touch down.
The winger sharply finished a cross-field kick by Fin Smith to take the hosts into the lead after he had been illegally challenged in the air by Selestino Ravutaumada, who was given a yellow card following a video review.
England's Impact Substitutes Shines Once More
England pulled away from Australia the previous weekend in the final quarter through the impact of their replacements that included multiple Lions tourists.
A much-changed starting lineup from the victory over the Wallabies did grab the following touchdown as the prop went over following a strong carry by Lawrence, who was returning to the national side after tearing his Achilles tendon versus the Italians in spring.
However, after a smart line-out move was finished by the Fijian, the coach unloaded five of his substitutes on the 54-minute mark – including Lions tourists Henry Pollock and Curry.
With the game still in the balance, Fijian number nine the halfback fumbled of the ball when stretching for the goal line to cancel out substitute George's try.
Breakdown specialist Ben Earl, who scored against Australia, produced a stunning try-saving tackle to maintain breathing room between the teams.
It topped off another all-round impressive display by the flanker, who picked up back-to-back player-of-the-match awards.
Arundell's pace to race on to a kick through showcased exactly why England's bench is so influential.
It is packed with stars and talent, which has helped secure wins in the final quarter that were squandered against the Wallabies and New Zealand 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 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
Match Officials
Referee: Paul Williams (New Zealand)
Assistant referee: Luc Ramos (France) and Katsuki Furuse (Japan)
Television match official: Mike Adamson (Scotland)
