England Secures Ninth Straight Win 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 notched four second-half tries to defeat a physical Fiji side in their second fall test match.

This win continues Steve Borthwick's side's undefeated streak to nine games and backs up their win over the Wallabies last Saturday.

England opened the scoring through Luke Cowan-Dickie before Fiji responded with scores by Tevita Ikanivere and Muntz.

Number ten Muntz missed both conversions but kicked a penalty goal to take the Fijians further ahead before Feyi-Waboso crossed.

Ellis Genge and Ikanivere then exchanged tries to begin an thrilling second half.

Substitutes George and Arundell, who displayed his blistering speed, touched down to take the hosts clear.

Those scores came either side of Fiji scrum-half Kuruvoli dropping the ball when attempting to score.

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

The English team now meet the All Blacks this coming weekend in their toughest test on paper this autumn.

Before this meeting, the English team had claimed victory in 8 of their 9 matches with the Fijian side – most recently taking a close contest in the last eight of the 2023 World Cup.

That one defeat came two months prior the competition in Europe and was a major turning point under the head coach.

With Fiji on a five-match winning run – their joint longest run since 1999 – the fixture was always likely to be competitive.

After smooth attacking phases, number eight Chandler Cunningham-South gained valuable meters before Cowan-Dickie forced his way over for the first try from close range, with the Fijian's score off the back of a maul providing a swift reply.

Known as the Flying Fijians, that was clear in defence through monstrous opening period midfield hits, with number fifteen Smith, used as a additional playmaker, in particular picked out.

But it was the classic attacking Fijian flare that was the standout moment in the first forty as offloads cut England's defence open for Muntz to touch down.

The winger expertly collected a kick across the field by Fin Smith to take the hosts ahead after he had been dangerously taken out in the air by Ravutaumada, who was given a yellow card following a bunker review.

The English team broke clear from the Wallabies the previous weekend in the last twenty minutes through the strength of their replacements that contained multiple British and Irish Lions.

A much-changed starting lineup from the win over the Australians did score the next try as Genge went over following a strong carry by Lawrence, who was making his international comeback after tearing his Achilles tendon versus Italy in spring.

However, after a clever set piece was finished by the Fijian, the coach introduced several of his substitutes on the 54-minute mark – including Lions tourists Henry Pollock and Tom Curry.

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

Breakdown specialist Earl, a try-scorer against the Wallabies, produced a stunning try-saving tackle to keep a narrow lead between the sides.

It topped off another all-round impressive display by Earl, who received consecutive man of the match honors.

Arundell's pace to chase down a kick through demonstrated exactly why England's bench is so influential.

It is packed with stars and talent, which has helped secure victories in the final quarter that were squandered against Australia and the All Blacks the previous fall.

Given the Scottish side pushed the All Blacks hard, Borthwick's side will fancy their chances of sending a message next week.

Should they win, the substitutes 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)