🔗 Share this article The English Team Earns Ninth Consecutive Win Over Physical Fijian Side Autumn International 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 The English squad racked up 4 tries after halftime to defeat a physical Fiji side in their second autumn international. The victory extends Steve Borthwick's side's winning run to nine matches and backs up their win over the Wallabies last Saturday. England opened the scoring through Luke Cowan-Dickie before Fiji responded with tries by Ikanivere and Muntz. Fly-half the Fijian playmaker missed both conversions but nailed a penalty to take the Fijians further ahead before Immanuel Feyi-Waboso scored. Ellis Genge and Ikanivere then traded scores to ignite an exciting final forty minutes. Substitutes Jamie George and Arundell, who showed his blistering speed, touched down to take the hosts into a comfortable lead. These tries came around Fiji scrum-half Simi Kuruvoli spilling the ball when going for the tryline. England captain Itoje, who also entered as a substitute, scored the last touchdown. Borthwick's side now play the All Blacks next Saturday in their toughest test on paper this autumn. Fiji Start Fast to Pressure England Prior to this match, England had claimed victory in 8 of their 9 games with Fiji – most recently winning a close contest in the quarter-finals of the last global tournament. Their sole loss came two months prior the competition in France and was a major turning point under the head coach. With the Pacific Islanders on a five-game streak – their joint longest streak since 1999 – the game was always likely to be tight. After smooth attacking phases, number eight Chandler 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 adding a swift reply. Nicknamed the Flying Fijians, that was evident in defence through powerful opening period tackles in the center, with number fifteen Marcus Smith, deployed as a second playmaker, in especial targeted. But it was the classic Fijian attacking flair that was the highlight in the first forty as passes out of the tackle sliced through the English defense for the fly-half to score. The winger expertly collected a cross-field kick by Smith to take the hosts into the lead after he had been dangerously taken out in the air by Ravutaumada, who was awarded a yellow card following a video review. The English Star Bench Delivers Again England pulled away from the Wallabies last Saturday in the final quarter through the impact of their bench that included multiple British and Irish Lions. A significantly altered starting XV from the win over the Wallabies did score the following touchdown as the prop went over following a powerful run by Lawrence, who was returning to the national side after suffering his Achilles tendon versus Italy in March. Nonetheless, after a clever line-out move was finished by the Fijian, the coach introduced several of his substitutes on the 54th minute – including Lions players Pollock and Curry. With the match still up for grabs, Fijian number nine the halfback fumbled of the ball when reaching for the goal line to cancel out replacement George's try. Breakdown specialist Earl, who scored versus the Wallabies, produced a stunning game-saving stop to maintain a narrow lead between the sides. It topped off another outstanding overall performance by Earl, who picked up consecutive man of the match honors. Arundell's pace to chase down a grubber kick showcased exactly why England's bench is so influential. It is full of top players and quality, which has helped secure victories in the closing stages that were squandered against Australia and the All Blacks last autumn. Considering Scotland pushed the All Blacks hard, Borthwick's side will feel confident of making a big statement next week. Should they win, the substitutes will probably again be crucial. 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 Match Officials Referee: Paul Williams (New Zealand) Assistant referee: Luc Ramos (France) and Katsuki Furuse (Japan) Television match official: Mike Adamson (Scotland)