🔗 Share this article The English Team Claims 9th Straight Win Over Tough Fijian Side 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 scored 4 tries after halftime to overcome a resilient Fijian team in their latest fall test match. The victory continues Steve Borthwick's side's winning run to nine games and supports their win over the Wallabies the previous weekend. The home side got on the board first through hooker Cowan-Dickie before the visitors responded with tries by Ikanivere and Caleb Muntz. Number ten Muntz missed both conversions but nailed a penalty to take the Fijians further ahead before Immanuel Feyi-Waboso scored. Ellis Genge and Ikanivere then exchanged tries to ignite an exciting second half. Replacements Jamie George and Arundell, who demonstrated his scintillating pace, finished off tries to take the English side clear. Those scores came around Fiji scrum-half Kuruvoli spilling the ball when attempting to score. England captain Itoje, who also entered as a substitute, scored the last touchdown. Borthwick's side now meet the All Blacks next Saturday in their toughest test on paper this fall. The Fijians Start Fast to Pressure England Prior to this meeting, the English team had won eight of their nine games with the Fijian side – most lately winning 30-24 in the last eight of the 2023 World Cup. Their sole loss came just weeks before the tournament in Europe and was a significant shift under Borthwick. With Fiji on a five-match winning run – their joint longest streak since 1999 – the game was always expected to be hard-fought. Following slick phase play, number eight Cunningham-South gained valuable meters before the hooker barged over for the opening score from close range, with the Fijian's score off the back of a driving maul providing a swift reply. Nicknamed the Flying Fijians, that was clear in defense through monstrous opening period tackles in the center, with full-back Marcus Smith, deployed as a additional playmaker, in especial targeted. But it was the classic Fijian attacking flair that was the highlight in the first forty as offloads cut England's defence open for Muntz to touch down. Feyi-Waboso sharply finished a kick across the field by Smith to take the hosts ahead after he had been dangerously taken out in the air by Selestino Ravutaumada, who was awarded a sin-binning following a bunker review. England's Star Bench Delivers Again The English team pulled away from the Wallabies last Saturday in the final quarter through the strength of their bench that contained multiple British and Irish Lions. A significantly altered starting lineup from the victory over the Australians did score the next try as the prop crossed following a strong carry by Lawrence, who was returning to the national side after suffering his Achilles against the Italians in March. However, after a smart line-out move was finished by the Fijian, the coach introduced five of his substitutes on the 54-minute mark – including Lions players Pollock and Curry. With the game still in the balance, Fiji scrum-half Kuruvoli fumbled of the ball when stretching for the tryline to cancel out replacement George's try. Flanker Ben Earl, who scored versus the Wallabies, produced a spectacular try-saving tackle to keep breathing room between the teams. It capped another outstanding overall performance by Earl, who received consecutive man of the match honors. Arundell's pace to race on to a grubber kick demonstrated exactly why the English replacements is so influential. It is full of top players and quality, which has helped secure victories in the final quarter that were lost versus Australia and the All Blacks the previous fall. Given the Scottish side pushed the All Blacks hard, the English team will feel confident of making a big statement next week. If successful, the substitutes will probably 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 Refereeing Team Referee: Paul Williams (New Zealand) Assistant referee: Luc Ramos (France) and Katsuki Furuse (Japan) Television match official: Mike Adamson (Scotland)