The English Team Earns 9th Straight Win 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

England notched 4 tries after halftime to overcome a physical Fiji side in their latest fall test match.

This win extends Steve Borthwick's side's undefeated streak to nine games and supports their triumph over Australia last Saturday.

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

Fly-half Muntz missed both conversions but slotted a penalty goal to take the visitors further clear before Immanuel Feyi-Waboso scored.

Ellis Genge and Ikanivere then traded scores to ignite an entertaining final forty minutes.

Replacements George and Henry Arundell, who displayed his blistering speed, finished off tries to take the English side clear.

Those scores came around Fijian halfback Kuruvoli fumbling the ball when attempting to score.

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

Borthwick's side now play the All Blacks this coming weekend in their toughest test theoretically this fall.

Prior to this encounter, the English team had claimed victory in 8 of their nine matches with Fiji – most recently taking 30-24 in the last eight of the last global tournament.

That one defeat came two months prior the tournament in Europe and was a significant shift under Borthwick.

With the Pacific Islanders on a five-game streak – their joint longest streak since the late nineties – the fixture was always likely to be tight.

Following smooth attacking phases, back rower Chandler Cunningham-South made good ground before the hooker forced his way over for the opening score from close range, with the Fijian's score off the back of a driving maul adding a quick response.

Nicknamed the flying Fijians, that was clear in defense through powerful first-half midfield hits, with full-back Smith, used as a second playmaker, in particular picked out.

But it was the classic Fijian attacking flair that was the standout moment in the opening half as passes out of the tackle cut England's defence open for the fly-half to score.

Feyi-Waboso expertly collected a cross-field kick by Fin Smith to take England ahead after he had been dangerously taken out in the air by Selestino Ravutaumada, who was given a sin-binning following a video review.

England broke clear from Australia last Saturday in the final quarter through the strength of their replacements that contained six British and Irish Lions.

A significantly altered starting XV from the victory over the Australians did score the next try as Genge crossed following a strong carry by Lawrence, who was making his international comeback after tearing his Achilles tendon against Italy in March.

However, after a smart set piece was completed by the Fijian, Borthwick introduced five of his bench on the 54th minute – including Lions players Pollock and Curry.

With the match still in the balance, Fiji scrum-half Kuruvoli lost control of the ball when stretching for the goal line to negate substitute the hooker's score.

Flanker Ben Earl, who scored against the Wallabies, produced a stunning try-saving tackle to keep breathing room between the teams.

It topped off another all-round impressive performance by Earl, who picked up back-to-back man of the match honors.

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

It is full of stars and quality, which has aided in wins in the final quarter that were lost versus the Wallabies and New Zealand last autumn.

Given Scotland ran New Zealand close, Borthwick's side will fancy their chances of making a big statement this weekend.

Should they win, the bench 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)