England Earns Ninth Consecutive Victory Over Tough Fijian Side
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
England scored four tries after halftime to defeat a resilient Fijian team in their second autumn international.
The victory continues Steve Borthwick's side's winning run to nine matches and supports their triumph over the Wallabies the previous weekend.
England opened the scoring through Luke Cowan-Dickie before Fiji answered back with tries by Ikanivere and Caleb Muntz.
Fly-half the Fijian playmaker missed both conversions but slotted a penalty to take the Fijians further ahead before Feyi-Waboso scored.
Prop Genge and the Fijian hooker then exchanged tries to spark an thrilling second half.
Replacements George and Arundell, who displayed his blistering speed, touched down to take the hosts clear.
Those scores came either side of Fiji scrum-half Simi Kuruvoli fumbling the ball when going for the tryline.
Skipper Maro Itoje, who also entered as a substitute, scored the final try.
Borthwick's side now play New Zealand this coming weekend in their biggest challenge theoretically this fall.
Fiji Start Fast to Challenge England
Prior to this meeting, England had claimed victory in 8 of their 9 matches with the Fijian side – most lately taking a close contest in the last eight of the last global tournament.
That one defeat came two months prior the tournament in Europe and was a major turning point under Borthwick.
With the Pacific Islanders on a five-game streak – their joint longest streak since 1999 – the fixture was always expected to be competitive.
After smooth attacking phases, number eight Cunningham-South gained valuable meters before the hooker barged over for the opening score from close range, with the Fijian's score off the back of a driving maul providing a swift reply.
Nicknamed the Flying Fijians, that was apparent in defense through powerful first-half tackles in the center, with full-back Smith, deployed as a additional playmaker, in especial picked out.
But it was the vintage attacking Fijian flare that was the highlight in the opening half as passes out of the tackle cut England's defence open for the fly-half to score.
The winger expertly collected a kick across the field by Smith to take England into the lead after he had been illegally challenged in the air by Ravutaumada, who was awarded a yellow card following a bunker review.
England's Impact Substitutes Delivers Again
The English team pulled away from Australia the previous weekend in the final quarter through the power of their replacements that included six British and Irish Lions.
A much-changed starting XV from the win over the Australians did grab the following touchdown as Genge crossed following a powerful run by Lawrence, who was returning to the national side after suffering his Achilles versus the Italians in spring.
Nonetheless, after a clever set piece was completed by the Fijian, Borthwick unloaded five of his bench on the 54th minute – including Lions players Pollock and Tom Curry.
With the match still up for grabs, Fiji scrum-half the halfback fumbled of the ball when stretching for the tryline to negate replacement the hooker's score.
Breakdown specialist Ben Earl, who scored against the Wallabies, produced a spectacular game-saving stop to keep breathing room between the sides.
It topped off another outstanding overall display by the flanker, who received back-to-back man of the match honors.
Arundell's pace to chase down a grubber kick showcased exactly why England's bench is so influential.
It is packed with stars and quality, which has helped secure wins in the closing stages that were lost versus the Wallabies and New Zealand the previous fall.
Considering the Scottish side ran New Zealand close, Borthwick's side will feel confident of making a big statement 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)
