🔗 Share this article The English Team Claims Ninth Consecutive Victory Against 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 racked up 4 tries after halftime to overcome a resilient Fiji side in their second fall test match. This win extends Steve Borthwick's side's winning run to nine matches and supports their win over Australia the previous weekend. England opened the scoring through hooker Cowan-Dickie before Fiji responded with tries by Ikanivere and Muntz. Fly-half Muntz missed both conversions but kicked a penalty to take the visitors further clear before Feyi-Waboso crossed. Prop Genge and Ikanivere then exchanged tries to ignite an thrilling second half. Substitutes George and Henry Arundell, who showed his scintillating pace, touched down to take the English side clear. These tries came either side of Fiji scrum-half Kuruvoli fumbling the ball when attempting to score. Skipper Maro Itoje, who also came off the bench, scored the last touchdown. The English team now play the All Blacks this coming weekend in their toughest test theoretically this autumn. Fiji Begin Strongly to Pressure England Before this match, England had won eight of their nine games with the Fijian side – most lately winning 30-24 in the quarter-finals of the 2023 World Cup. That one defeat came just weeks before the tournament in Europe and was a significant shift under Borthwick. With the Pacific Islanders on a five-game streak – their joint longest run since 1999 – the game was always likely to be hard-fought. Following slick phase play, back rower Cunningham-South made good ground before the hooker forced his way over for the opening score from short distance, with Ikanivere's try off the back of a driving maul providing a quick response. Nicknamed the Flying Fijians, that was evident in defense through monstrous opening period midfield hits, with number fifteen Smith, deployed as a additional playmaker, in especial picked out. But it was the vintage 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 into the lead after he had been illegally challenged in the air by Ravutaumada, who was awarded a sin-binning following a video review. England's Impact Substitutes Shines Once More England broke clear from Australia the previous weekend in the last twenty minutes through the impact of their bench that included six Lions tourists. A significantly altered starting XV from the win over the Wallabies did grab the next try as Genge went over following a strong carry by Lawrence, who was making his international comeback after suffering his Achilles versus Italy in spring. Nonetheless, after a smart set piece was completed by the Fijian, Borthwick introduced five of his bench on the 54-minute mark – featuring Lions players Pollock and Tom Curry. With the match still up for grabs, Fijian number nine the halfback lost control of the ball when stretching for the goal line to cancel out replacement George's try. Flanker Earl, who scored versus Australia, produced a stunning game-saving stop to keep breathing room between the sides. It topped off another all-round impressive display by the flanker, who picked up consecutive player-of-the-match awards. Arundell's pace to race on to a kick through showcased exactly why the English replacements is so influential. It is full of top players and talent, which has aided in wins in the final quarter that were squandered versus Australia and the All Blacks last autumn. 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 likely 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)