The English Team Claims Ninth Straight Win Against Tough 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 racked up 4 tries after halftime to overcome a resilient Fiji side in their latest fall test match.

The victory lengthens Steve Borthwick's side's undefeated streak to nine games and follows up their triumph over the Wallabies the previous weekend.

The home side got on the board first through hooker Cowan-Dickie before Fiji responded with tries by Tevita Ikanivere and Muntz.

Fly-half the Fijian playmaker failed to convert either try but slotted a penalty goal to take the visitors further clear before Immanuel Feyi-Waboso scored.

Ellis Genge and the Fijian hooker then traded scores to begin an entertaining second half.

Substitutes George and Arundell, who showed his scintillating pace, touched down to take the hosts clear.

Those scores came either side of Fiji scrum-half Simi Kuruvoli dropping the ball when going for the tryline.

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

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

Prior to this encounter, the English team had claimed victory in 8 of their nine matches with the Fijian side – most recently taking a close contest in the last eight of the last global tournament.

That one defeat came just weeks before the tournament in Europe and was a major turning point under the head coach.

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

Following slick phase play, number eight Cunningham-South gained valuable meters before the hooker forced his way over for the opening score from short distance, with the Fijian's score off the back of a maul providing a swift reply.

Nicknamed the Flying Fijians, that was evident in defence through monstrous opening period midfield hits, with full-back Smith, used as a second playmaker, in especial targeted.

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

The winger expertly collected a cross-field kick by Fin Smith to take the hosts ahead after he had been dangerously taken out in the air by Ravutaumada, who was awarded a yellow card following a video review.

The English team pulled away from the Wallabies last Saturday in the final quarter through the power of their replacements that included six British and Irish Lions.

A significantly altered starting lineup from the victory over the Wallabies did grab 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.

However, after a smart line-out move was completed by the Fijian, Borthwick unloaded several of his bench on the 54th minute – including Lions players Henry Pollock and Curry.

With the game still in the balance, Fijian number nine the halfback fumbled of the ball when stretching for the goal line to cancel out substitute the hooker's score.

Flanker Earl, a try-scorer against Australia, produced a spectacular try-saving tackle to maintain breathing room between the sides.

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

The substitute's speed to chase down a kick through showcased exactly why the English replacements is so impactful.

It is full of top players and talent, which has helped secure victories in the closing stages that were squandered against the Wallabies and New Zealand last autumn.

Given Scotland pushed the All Blacks hard, the English team will feel confident of sending a message this weekend.

Should they win, 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)