England Secures Ninth Straight Win Against Physical 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 four second-half tries to overcome a physical Fiji side in their latest autumn international.
The victory lengthens the English team's winning run to nine matches and follows up their win over the Wallabies the previous weekend.
The home side opened the scoring through hooker Cowan-Dickie before the visitors answered back with tries by Ikanivere and Muntz.
Fly-half Muntz 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 begin an thrilling second half.
Replacements George and Henry Arundell, who demonstrated his blistering speed, touched down to take the hosts clear.
Those scores came either side of Fijian halfback Kuruvoli spilling the ball when attempting to score.
England captain Maro Itoje, who also came off the bench, secured the final try.
Borthwick's side now play the All Blacks next Saturday in their biggest challenge theoretically this fall.
Fiji Begin Strongly to Pressure The English
Prior to this match, the English team had claimed victory in 8 of their nine games with the Fijian side – most lately taking 30-24 in the last eight of the 2023 World Cup.
Their sole loss came just weeks before the competition in Europe and was a major turning point under Borthwick.
With Fiji on a five-match winning run – their equal best run since 1999 – the fixture was always likely to be hard-fought.
After slick phase play, number eight Chandler Cunningham-South made good ground before Cowan-Dickie barged over for the first try from short distance, with the Fijian's score off the back of a maul providing a quick response.
Nicknamed the flying Fijians, that was apparent in defence through huge opening period midfield hits, with full-back Marcus Smith, deployed as a second 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 the fly-half to touch down.
Feyi-Waboso expertly collected a cross-field kick by Smith to take England ahead after he had been illegally challenged in the air by Selestino Ravutaumada, who was given a yellow card following a video review.
England's Star Bench Shines Once More
The English team pulled away from Australia last Saturday in the final quarter through the strength of their replacements that contained multiple Lions tourists.
A significantly altered starting XV from the victory over the Wallabies did grab the next try as Genge went over following a strong carry by Lawrence, who was making his international comeback after tearing his Achilles versus Italy in spring.
However, after a smart set piece was finished by the Fijian, Borthwick unloaded five of his substitutes on the 54-minute mark – featuring Lions tourists Pollock and Curry.
With the match still in the balance, Fijian number nine Kuruvoli lost control of the ball when stretching for the goal line to cancel out substitute the hooker's score.
Breakdown specialist Earl, who scored versus the Wallabies, produced a stunning game-saving stop to maintain a narrow lead between the teams.
It topped off another all-round impressive display by Earl, who received back-to-back man of the match honors.
Arundell's pace to chase down a grubber kick showcased exactly why England's bench is so influential.
It is packed with stars and talent, which has aided in wins in the closing stages that were lost versus Australia and the All Blacks the previous fall.
Given the Scottish side pushed the All Blacks hard, Borthwick's side will feel confident of sending a message next week.
If successful, the bench will likely play another key factor.
Team Sheets
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)
