England survive Fiji fright – but improvements required as All Blacks loom

Join the Miguel Delaney Inside Football Get exclusive insights and behind-the scenes access to the Miguel Delaney: inside newsletter Football Join the Miguel Delaney Inside newsletter Football NewsletterIt may have been sloppy, scratchy and scatteredgun at times, but England still has their winning streak intact going into the encounter with New Zealand which will define their month of November. Steve Borthwick and his staff will not necessarily take great heart from an evening against Fiji where more went wrong than right but there can be no greater runway on which to build speed into a collision with the All Blacks than a smooth approach of nine consecutive victories.Stunned by the Pacific Islanders on Fiji’s last trip to Twickenham, England avoided the ignominy of a repeat defeat that would have dispirited their autumn. A few of those exiting Allianz Stadium at the end many have still felt a degree of frustration, and perhaps familiarity, England’s bench again to the fore to put a hard-fought contest beyond doubt. Fiji should also be given credit for the progress they have made. If not yet consistently conquering the so-called Tier One nations then they are giving them more than just a fright on a regular basis – a kinder look from lady luck and this game might have turned out differently. Luke Cowan Dickie scores with Alex Coles’ support (Getty). To call this revenge would suggest England was cold and calculated, which they weren’t. However, their excellent depth once again showed as they finished the game with a flourish. Watching on with intrigue, perhaps, after their own narrow escape against Scotland at Murrayfield might have been the All Blacks as they prepare to come to Twickenham in a week’s time. While they will expect to face a different home team – one likely piloted by George Ford with Fin Smith struggling to get the attack humming – certainly a slightly disjointed, disrupted performance from England would have pleased them. Indeed, Borthwick’s team had finished so strongly against Australia that it was little wonder they fired out of the blocks. Luke Cowan Dickie scored a close-range conversion after a long series of phases. This was only six minutes into the opening routine, which had been performed almost exclusively within Fiji’s 22. It wasn’t long, though, before the Pacific Islanders, clad in electric blue, sparked into life. Their ability to play in unstructured circumstances has made them a threat for a long time, but they have improved in recent years with their set piece and kicking game. That was on show in Tevita Ikanivere’s maul score, which came from a penalty drawn by a contestable kick. Caleb Muntz, the fly half, was outstanding during the 2023 Fiji victory, but his World Cup hopes were cruelly dashed by an injury just before the tournament. Muntz quickly picked up his game, orchestrating and arcing at the center of a Fijian hurricane that blew England’s course. The Fiji hooker Tevita ikanivere scored two tries (AFP via Getty Images). A slightly coltish England side had started eagerly but without the accuracy needed. Immanuel Waboso, Chandler Cunningham South and Immanuel Féyi-Waboso were able to get the crowd excited but they did not achieve much. Chandler Cunningham South was guilty of going it alone in a promising situation. Fiji, in the midst of English effort, scrambled and grabbed English ball brilliantly. Muntz, who had erred with both conversions, added a quick penalty. Fiji had a relatively quiet 36 minutes prior to an ugly incident during the type of aerial competition that is so crucial in these Tests. Ravutaumada’s intentions were good, as he went for a box kick. However, he was below and behind FeyiWaboso, as he leaped, which sent the catcher spiraling to the floor. As the England wing spun, so did the half; after play resumed, Fin Smith’s crosskick to a wing left vacant by the sin-binned Ravutaumada was finished off by the man he had clattered moments before. open image in galleryImmanuel Feyi-Waboso had a nasty fall (AFP via Getty Images)If Feyi-Waboso’s elasticity had been on display in how quickly he had leapt back into action, it perhaps also saved his opponent from seeing red. Still, though, it wasn’t quite clicking for England – Fraser Dingwall, their “glue guy”, had a few sticky moments, while the Smiths appeared to have a difference of opinion over their outfit’s musical direction. It was not surprising that it took improvisation to get England in rhythm. Ben Earl and Ollie Laurence took advantage of an errant Fijian kick chase, making telling busts. Lawrence was tripped up a metre shy, and Genge, who was standing in for Lawrence at the time, took care of the rest. Fiji’s lineout vengeance and variety was again on display as Ikanivere grabbed a second following a cleverly executed move up front. Only Muntz’s inaccuracy from the tee, with a third conversion missed, kept England ahead. Borthwick sent five replacements in white shirts to the bench for a second consecutive week. They delivered; Jamie George, one of the quintet gleaming under the lights, finished off a lineout drive.open image in galleryEngland’s bench powered them home: Arundell, left, celebrates with Marcus Smith (PA)Misfortune befell Fiji when they seemed to have hit back, Kuruvoli adjudged to have fumbled as he slid over, thus allowing England’s replacements to add some sheen. Henry Arundell celebrated his international return with a try crafted from pure pace, retrieving Marcus Smith’s hack ahead like a terrier after a tennis ball, and Itoje made the margin greater still. A fright, but a fright only – England’s power on.
2025-11-08 23:34:13