Match Report – England 38 – 18 Fiji

Luke Cowan-Dickie, Immanuel Fay-Waboso and Ellis Ngunge scored for England, with substitutes Jamie George, Henry Arundel and Maro Itoje also scoring for England to secure a come-from-behind victory over Fiji at Twickenham. Fiji led by six points at halftime and had a try canceled to make it a one-point game for the Test with 18 remaining.

Immanuel Fay-Waboso was among the try scorers as England held on to the lead to win against Fiji on Saturday

England overcame a scare against Fiji to come from behind to win, showing momentum in the final stages to win the Autumn Nations Series 38-18.

Fiji led by six points at half-time, with hooker Tevita Ikanivere (two) and fly-half Caleb Muntz scoring three tries, and although scrum-half Simione Curvoli’s try was also canceled in the second half, the score would have been a one-point contest in the final quarter.

But England hung on to secure victory, finishing with six tries from hooker Luke Cowan-Dickie, winger Immanuel Fay-Waboso, prop Ellis Ngenge and substitutes Jamie George, Henry Arundel and Maro Itoje.

Fiji were reduced to 14 men twice throughout the tournament, with winger Celestino Lavtaumada and center Josua Tuisova sin-binned. At that moment England scored a crucial goal that would ultimately pave the way for victory.

England enjoyed a perfect start to the contest in the sixth minute when Cowan-Dickie showed his power by diving over with Alex Coles on his shoulders.

England hooker Luke Cowan-Dickie showed his ability to score the opening try.

Finn Smith scored, but Fiji hit back with their first attack and Ikanivere scored with a fierce rolling maul drive, conceding Fay-Waboso with a blatant penalty for obstruction.

Fijian hooker Tevita Ikanivere scores his first try with a stunning driving maul in the 10th minute.

Muntz failed to convert, leaving Fiji stranded, but a fine trademark strike from Muntz gave the visitors the lead in the 22nd minute.

Lavtaumada did the initial damage down the left wing, bringing down Tommy Freeman and introducing the impressive flanker Chitione Salawa inside, who in turn brought on scrum-half Simione Corvoli.

Kluvoli then chipped ahead and was brought down by Marcus Smith, but Muntz raced to the ball and slid in for a great score.

Caleb Mantz completes a great team move as Fiji challenge for top spot for the second time

The fly-half again failed to convert, but converted a penalty from the front of his stick in the 30th minute, extending Fiji’s lead to six points at 13-7.

However, the opener took a turn for the visitors as Ravtaumada was found guilty of taking Fay-Waboso into the air.

Fay-Waboso scored the opening goal as time expired before half-time and Finn Smith took a penalty advantage with a kick across the pitch, which Finn Smith kicked and stepped inside the finish. Smith’s conversion made it 14-13 at halftime.

Fay-Waboso’s goal late in the first half gave England the lead again.

The home team took the lead in the second half, with a sensational break from the returning Ollie Lawrence, which allowed captain Genge to dive across the line, passing Mantz and accelerating to the tryline.

England scored early in the second half through Ellis Genge, and Fiji continued to fight back.

Fiji reduced the gap to three points within four minutes when Ikanivere caught England with an inventive lineout on the short side, but Mantu missed his third conversion and a vital point was wasted.

Tuisova was sent to the bin with an hour left as referee Paul Williams re-penalized Fiji, but England scored almost immediately as George kept his cool as he grounded over the line from a maul.

Trailing by eight points, Fiji looked to have hit back within two minutes as Kluvoli made a brilliant move with an offload, this time with full-back Salesi Rayasi up front, but the score was chalked away after the TMO called for a review that found a small impact on the turf at the front of the field.

What felt like rough justice for the visiting team was made worse by Arundel, who had just come onto the pitch to score a try 11 minutes into the game, and showed incredible speed to take the lead from Marcus Smith’s kick.

Substitute winger Henry Arundel showed incredible speed and decided the game.

England opened the scoring late on with Fiji tiring in the closing stages, with Itoje, making his first appearance as a substitute for England since November 2017, scoring a goal.

Earl: One of the hardest tests I’ve ever played.

Player of the Match Ben Earl told TNT:

“This was one of the most difficult rugby matches I have had to play in. They have world class players on the pitch and credit to our players for the win.”

“I think we’re trying to grow our game every week and you’ll see us continue to get better.

“Each opponent brings different chances. It’s called a test match for a reason and they tested us with their game plan. We have to give credit to Fiji. They came with a plan that gave us trouble in the first half, but the bench was great, everyone from 1 to 23 was great.”

England center Olly Lawrence told TNT:

“Everything that happened in the Six Nations was tough and coming back was tough, but I put it in perspective and looked back on the journey so far.

“There are always obstacles in life, but my mindset was to overcome them and make sure I was back here in time for the fall games.

“I’m far from finished, but I promised myself that I would definitely improve every day so that I could stand on this field with the players today.

“Today is a special day for me. Sometimes I take it for granted that I’m wearing the jersey, but it’s important to remember that it’s never mine, it’s just borrowed. I was so grateful to be back here to see a packed stadium and be back with the players. Words can’t express it.”

What’s next?

England host New Zealand next Saturday, November 15th at 3.10pm at Allianz Stadium, Twickenham.

Fiji will play France next week in Bordeaux, also on Saturday 15th November at 8:10pm (Japan time).