England Claims Ninth Straight Win Against Tough Fiji
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
The English squad scored 4 tries after halftime to defeat a physical Fijian team in their latest fall test match.
This win continues the English team's winning run to nine matches and follows up their triumph over Australia last Saturday.
The home side got on the board first through hooker Cowan-Dickie before Fiji answered back with scores by Tevita Ikanivere and Muntz.
Fly-half the Fijian playmaker failed to convert either try but nailed a penalty goal to take the visitors further ahead before Immanuel Feyi-Waboso crossed.
Ellis Genge and the Fijian hooker then traded scores to ignite an exciting second half.
Replacements George and Henry Arundell, who showed his blistering speed, finished off tries to take the hosts into a comfortable lead.
These tries came either side of Fiji scrum-half Kuruvoli fumbling the ball when going for the tryline.
Skipper Itoje, who also came off the bench, secured the last touchdown.
Borthwick's side now play New Zealand next Saturday in their toughest test theoretically this fall.
Fiji Begin Strongly to Pressure The English
Prior to this meeting, the English team had won eight of their nine matches with the Fijian side – most recently taking a close contest in the quarter-finals of the last global tournament.
Their sole loss came two months prior the tournament in Europe and was a significant shift under the head coach.
With Fiji on a five-match winning run – their equal best run since 1999 – the fixture was always likely to be tight.
After slick phase play, number eight Cunningham-South made good ground before Cowan-Dickie barged over for the opening score from short distance, with Ikanivere's try off the back of a driving maul providing a quick response.
Known as the Flying Fijians, that was clear in defence through monstrous opening period tackles in the center, with full-back Marcus Smith, used as a additional playmaker, in particular picked out.
But it was the vintage Fijian attacking flair that was the standout moment in the first forty as offloads cut England's defence open for Muntz to touch down.
The winger sharply finished a cross-field kick by Fin Smith to take England ahead after he had been dangerously taken out in the air by Ravutaumada, who was awarded a sin-binning following a video review.
England's Star Bench Shines Once More
England pulled away from Australia the previous weekend in the last twenty minutes through the strength of their replacements that included six Lions tourists.
A significantly altered starting lineup from the victory over the Wallabies did grab the following touchdown as the prop crossed following a strong carry by Ollie Lawrence, who was returning to the national side after tearing his Achilles tendon against the Italians in spring.
Nonetheless, after a smart set piece was completed by the Fijian, Borthwick unloaded five of his substitutes on the 54-minute mark – featuring Lions players Henry Pollock and Tom Curry.
With the game still in the balance, Fiji scrum-half the halfback lost control of the ball when reaching for the tryline to negate substitute the hooker's score.
Flanker Earl, who scored versus the Wallabies, produced a spectacular try-saving tackle to keep a narrow lead between the sides.
It capped another all-round impressive performance by the flanker, who picked up back-to-back man of the match honors.
Arundell's pace to race on to a grubber kick showcased exactly why the English replacements is so influential.
It is packed with top players and quality, which has helped secure victories in the final quarter that were squandered versus Australia and the All Blacks the previous fall.
Given Scotland ran New Zealand close, Borthwick's side will fancy their chances of making a big statement this weekend.
If successful, the substitutes will probably play another key factor.
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)
