The English Team Secures Ninth Straight Win Over 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 4 tries after halftime to overcome a physical Fijian team in their latest autumn international.

This win continues the English team's undefeated streak to nine matches and supports their win over the Wallabies last Saturday.

The home side opened the scoring through Luke Cowan-Dickie before Fiji responded with scores by Tevita Ikanivere and Muntz.

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

Prop Genge and the Fijian hooker then exchanged tries to spark an entertaining final forty minutes.

Replacements George and Arundell, who displayed his blistering speed, touched down to take the hosts clear.

These tries came around Fijian halfback Kuruvoli dropping the ball when going for the tryline.

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

The English team now meet the All Blacks next Saturday in their biggest challenge theoretically this fall.

Prior to this meeting, England had claimed victory in eight of their 9 games with Fiji – most lately winning 30-24 in the quarter-finals of the last global tournament.

That one defeat came two months prior the tournament in Europe and was a major turning point under Borthwick.

With Fiji on a five-game streak – their joint longest run since the late nineties – the game was always expected to be competitive.

Following slick phase play, back rower Cunningham-South gained valuable meters before Cowan-Dickie forced his way over for the first try from close range, with the Fijian's score off the back of a maul adding a swift reply.

Known as the flying Fijians, that was clear in defence through huge opening period tackles in the center, with full-back Marcus Smith, deployed as a additional playmaker, in particular picked out.

But it was the classic attacking Fijian flare that was the highlight in the first forty as passes out of the tackle cut England's defence open for Muntz to score.

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 Selestino Ravutaumada, who was given a yellow card following a bunker review.

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

A significantly altered starting lineup from the win over the Wallabies did score the following touchdown as the prop went over following a strong carry by Lawrence, who was making his international comeback after tearing his Achilles against the Italians in March.

However, after a smart set piece was completed by Ikanivere, the coach introduced five of his substitutes on the 54-minute mark – featuring Lions players Pollock and Tom Curry.

With the match still in the balance, Fijian number nine the halfback lost control of the ball when stretching for the tryline to cancel out substitute George's try.

Flanker Earl, who scored versus the Wallabies, produced a stunning game-saving stop to maintain breathing room between the sides.

It capped another outstanding overall performance by Earl, who received back-to-back man of the match honors.

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

It is full of top players and talent, which has helped secure wins in the closing stages that were lost versus Australia and the All Blacks the previous fall.

Given Scotland ran New Zealand close, the English team will feel confident of sending a message this weekend.

Should they win, the substitutes will likely 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)