England Claims Ninth Straight Win Over 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 overcome a tough Fijian team in their second fall test match.

This win lengthens the English team's undefeated streak to nine matches and follows up their triumph over Australia the previous weekend.

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

Fly-half Muntz failed to convert either try but kicked a penalty to take the visitors further ahead before Immanuel Feyi-Waboso scored.

Prop Genge and Ikanivere then exchanged tries to begin an entertaining final forty minutes.

Replacements George and Henry Arundell, who showed his blistering speed, touched down to take the hosts into a comfortable lead.

Those scores came either side of Fijian halfback Simi Kuruvoli fumbling the ball when going for the tryline.

England captain Itoje, who also came off the bench, scored the last touchdown.

Borthwick's side now play New Zealand next Saturday in their biggest challenge theoretically this autumn.

Prior to this encounter, the English team had won 8 of their nine matches with the Fijian side – most lately taking a close contest in the quarter-finals of the last global tournament.

Their sole loss came just weeks before the competition in France and was a significant shift under Borthwick.

With Fiji on a five-game streak – their joint longest streak since 1999 – the fixture was always expected to be hard-fought.

Following slick phase play, back rower Chandler Cunningham-South made good ground before Cowan-Dickie barged over for the opening score from close range, with Ikanivere's try off the back of a maul adding a quick response.

Known as the Flying Fijians, that was apparent in defense through powerful first-half midfield hits, with number fifteen Smith, used as a second playmaker, in particular targeted.

But it was the vintage attacking Fijian flare that was the highlight in the opening half as offloads sliced through the English defense for Muntz to score.

The winger sharply finished a kick across the field by Fin Smith to take England into the lead after he had been illegally challenged in the air by Selestino Ravutaumada, who was given a sin-binning following a video review.

England pulled away from the Wallabies last Saturday in the last twenty minutes through the impact of their replacements that included multiple Lions tourists.

A much-changed starting lineup from the win over the Wallabies did score the next try as Genge went over following a strong carry by Lawrence, who was returning to the national side after suffering his Achilles against Italy in March.

Nonetheless, after a smart line-out move was finished by the Fijian, Borthwick introduced several 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.

Flanker Earl, a try-scorer versus Australia, produced a stunning try-saving tackle to maintain a narrow lead between the teams.

It capped another outstanding overall display by Earl, who received consecutive player-of-the-match awards.

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

It is packed with stars and quality, which has aided in wins in the final quarter that were squandered against the Wallabies and New Zealand the previous fall.

Considering the Scottish side pushed the All Blacks hard, Borthwick's side will fancy their chances of making a big statement this weekend.

If successful, the substitutes will probably play another key factor.

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)