🔗 Share this article The English Team Claims Ninth Straight Victory Against 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 England racked up four tries after halftime to defeat a physical Fijian team in their latest fall test match. This win continues Steve Borthwick's side's winning run to nine matches and follows up their win over Australia last Saturday. The home side got on the board first through Luke Cowan-Dickie before Fiji responded with scores by Ikanivere and Muntz. Number ten Muntz missed both conversions but kicked a penalty to take the Fijians further ahead before Immanuel Feyi-Waboso crossed. Prop Genge and Ikanivere then exchanged tries to ignite an thrilling final forty minutes. Replacements George and Arundell, who demonstrated his scintillating pace, touched down to take the English side clear. Those scores came either side of Fijian halfback Kuruvoli spilling the ball when going for the tryline. Skipper Maro Itoje, who also came off the bench, grabbed the last touchdown. Borthwick's side now face the All Blacks this coming weekend in their biggest challenge on paper this fall. Fiji Begin Strongly to Challenge The English Before this match, England had claimed victory in eight of their 9 matches with Fiji – most lately winning a close contest in the last eight of the last global tournament. That one defeat came just weeks before the competition in Europe and was a major turning point under the head coach. With the Pacific Islanders on a five-match winning run – their joint longest streak since the late nineties – the game was always expected to be hard-fought. Following slick phase play, number eight Chandler Cunningham-South gained valuable meters before Cowan-Dickie barged over for the opening score from close range, with the Fijian's score off the back of a driving maul providing a quick response. Known as the flying Fijians, that was clear in defense through powerful opening period tackles in the center, with full-back Smith, used as a additional playmaker, in particular targeted. But it was the vintage attacking Fijian flare that was the standout moment in the opening half as passes out of the tackle sliced through the English defense for Muntz to touch down. Feyi-Waboso expertly collected a kick across the field by Fin Smith to take England ahead after he had been dangerously taken out in the air by Selestino Ravutaumada, who was awarded a sin-binning following a video review. England's Impact Substitutes Shines Once More England pulled away from the Wallabies last Saturday in the last twenty minutes through the power of their bench that contained multiple Lions tourists. A much-changed starting XV from the victory over the Australians did score the next try as the prop went over following a powerful run by Lawrence, who was making his international comeback after suffering his Achilles tendon against Italy in March. Nonetheless, after a smart line-out move was finished by Ikanivere, Borthwick unloaded several of his substitutes on the 54th minute – featuring Lions tourists Pollock and Curry. With the game still up for grabs, Fiji scrum-half the halfback fumbled of the ball when stretching for the tryline to negate replacement George's try. Breakdown specialist Ben Earl, who scored against Australia, produced a spectacular try-saving tackle to keep a narrow lead between the sides. It topped off another all-round impressive performance by the flanker, who received consecutive player-of-the-match awards. Arundell's pace to chase down a kick through showcased exactly why England's bench is so impactful. It is packed with stars and quality, which has helped secure wins in the closing stages that were squandered against the Wallabies and New Zealand last autumn. Considering the Scottish side ran New Zealand close, the English team will feel confident of making a big statement next week. Should they win, 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 Match Officials Referee: Paul Williams (New Zealand) Assistant referee: Luc Ramos (France) and Katsuki Furuse (Japan) Television match official: Mike Adamson (Scotland)