The English Team Earns Ninth Straight Victory Over 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

The English squad scored 4 tries after halftime to beat a resilient Fiji side in their second fall test match.

This win extends the English team's winning run to nine matches and follows up their win over the Wallabies the previous weekend.

England got on the board first through Luke Cowan-Dickie before Fiji answered back with scores by Ikanivere and Caleb Muntz.

Number ten Muntz missed both conversions but nailed a penalty to take the Fijians further ahead before Immanuel Feyi-Waboso scored.

Prop Genge and Ikanivere then traded scores to spark an exciting final forty minutes.

Replacements George and Arundell, who showed his scintillating pace, finished off tries to take the English side clear.

These tries came either side of Fijian halfback Simi Kuruvoli dropping the ball when going for the tryline.

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

The English team now face the All Blacks this coming weekend in their toughest test theoretically this fall.

Before this meeting, the English team had claimed victory in 8 of their 9 matches with the Fijian side – most lately winning 30-24 in the quarter-finals of the 2023 World Cup.

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

With Fiji on a five-match winning run – their joint longest run since the late nineties – the fixture was always expected to be hard-fought.

After smooth attacking phases, back rower Chandler Cunningham-South gained valuable meters before Cowan-Dickie forced his way over for the first try from close range, with Ikanivere's try off the back of a maul adding a quick response.

Nicknamed the Flying Fijians, that was evident in defence through powerful opening period midfield hits, with number fifteen Smith, used as a second playmaker, in particular targeted.

But it was the classic attacking Fijian flare that was the standout moment in the opening half as offloads sliced through the English defense for Muntz to touch down.

Feyi-Waboso expertly collected a kick across the field by Smith to take England ahead after he had been illegally challenged in the air by Ravutaumada, who was awarded a yellow card following a video review.

England pulled away from the Wallabies the previous weekend in the last twenty minutes through the strength of their replacements that contained multiple Lions tourists.

A much-changed starting lineup from the win over the Australians did score the next try as the prop crossed following a strong carry by Lawrence, who was making his international comeback after suffering his Achilles tendon against the Italians in spring.

Nonetheless, after a clever set piece was finished by Ikanivere, the coach introduced five of his substitutes on the 54th minute – featuring Lions players Henry Pollock and Curry.

With the match still in the balance, Fijian number nine Kuruvoli fumbled of the ball when stretching for the tryline to cancel out replacement George's try.

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

It topped off another outstanding overall performance by Earl, who received consecutive man of the match honors.

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

It is full of top players and quality, which has helped secure wins in the closing stages that were lost versus the Wallabies and New Zealand the previous fall.

Given the Scottish side pushed the All Blacks hard, Borthwick's side will feel confident of making a big statement 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)