The English Team Claims 9th 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 scored four tries after halftime to defeat a physical Fijian team in their second autumn international.

This win extends Steve Borthwick's side's winning run to nine matches and follows up their triumph over Australia last Saturday.

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

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

Ellis Genge and Ikanivere then traded scores to begin an thrilling final forty minutes.

Substitutes Jamie George and Arundell, who showed his scintillating pace, finished off tries to take the hosts clear.

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

Skipper Itoje, who also entered as a substitute, scored the final try.

Borthwick's side now face New Zealand this coming weekend in their toughest test theoretically this fall.

Before this encounter, the English team had won 8 of their nine matches with the Fijian side – most recently winning a close contest in the last eight of the 2023 World Cup.

That one defeat came two months prior the competition in France and was a major turning point under Borthwick.

With the Pacific Islanders on a five-game streak – their equal best run since the late nineties – the game was always expected to be competitive.

Following slick phase play, back rower 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 driving maul providing a quick response.

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

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 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 Selestino Ravutaumada, who was awarded a sin-binning following a video review.

England pulled away from the Wallabies the previous weekend in the final quarter through the power of their bench that contained multiple British and Irish Lions.

A much-changed starting XV from the victory over the Australians did grab the following touchdown as the prop crossed following a strong carry by Ollie Lawrence, who was making his international comeback after tearing his Achilles versus Italy in March.

Nonetheless, after a smart set piece was finished by the Fijian, the coach unloaded five of his substitutes on the 54-minute mark – featuring Lions tourists Pollock and Curry.

With the game still in the balance, Fijian number nine the halfback lost control of the ball when stretching for the tryline to cancel out substitute the hooker's score.

Breakdown specialist Ben Earl, a try-scorer versus Australia, produced a spectacular game-saving stop to maintain breathing room between the teams.

It topped off another all-round impressive performance by the flanker, who received back-to-back player-of-the-match awards.

Arundell's pace to race on to a grubber kick showcased exactly why England's bench is so impactful.

It is packed with stars and quality, which has aided in victories in the closing stages that were lost versus Australia and the All Blacks last autumn.

Given Scotland ran New Zealand close, Borthwick's side will feel confident of sending a message next week.

If successful, 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)