The English Team Earns 9th Straight Victory Over Physical Fijian Side

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

The English squad scored 4 tries after halftime to defeat a physical Fijian team in their second autumn international.

The victory continues the English team's winning run to nine matches and supports their win over Australia last Saturday.

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

Number ten the Fijian playmaker missed both conversions but kicked a penalty goal to take the visitors further clear before Feyi-Waboso scored.

Ellis Genge and the Fijian hooker then exchanged tries to ignite an exciting second half.

Substitutes Jamie George and Arundell, who showed his blistering speed, touched down to take the English side clear.

These tries came around Fijian halfback Simi Kuruvoli spilling the ball when attempting to score.

England captain 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 theoretically this fall.

Prior to this encounter, the English team had won 8 of their 9 matches with the Fijian side – most lately winning 30-24 in the quarter-finals of the last global tournament.

That one defeat came just weeks before the competition in France and was a significant shift under the head coach.

With Fiji on a five-match winning run – their equal best run since 1999 – the game was always likely to be tight.

Following slick phase play, back rower Cunningham-South gained valuable meters before the hooker forced his way over for the first try from short distance, with the Fijian's score off the back of a maul adding a swift reply.

Nicknamed the Flying Fijians, that was evident in defence through monstrous first-half tackles in the center, with full-back Smith, used as a second playmaker, in particular targeted.

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

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

The English team broke clear from the Wallabies the previous weekend in the final quarter through the power of their replacements that included multiple Lions tourists.

A significantly altered starting lineup from the victory over the Wallabies did grab the following touchdown as Genge crossed following a powerful run by Ollie Lawrence, who was making his international comeback after tearing his Achilles tendon versus the Italians in March.

However, after a smart set piece was completed by Ikanivere, Borthwick introduced several of his bench on the 54-minute mark – featuring Lions players Henry Pollock and Curry.

With the game still in the balance, Fiji scrum-half the halfback lost control of the ball when reaching for the goal line to negate replacement George's try.

Flanker Ben Earl, who scored versus Australia, produced a stunning try-saving tackle to maintain breathing room between the sides.

It capped another outstanding overall performance by Earl, who picked up back-to-back player-of-the-match awards.

Arundell's pace to chase down a grubber kick showcased exactly why the English replacements is so impactful.

It is full of stars and talent, which has aided in victories in the closing stages that were squandered against Australia and the All Blacks the previous fall.

Considering the Scottish side ran New Zealand close, the English team will feel confident of sending a message next week.

Should they win, the bench will likely 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)