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Cowan-Dickie (5'), Feyi-Waboso (37'), Genge (48'), George (59'), Arundell (68'), Itoje (73')
Tries
Ikanivere (9', 51'), Muntz (21')
Smith (6', 38', 49', 74')
Conversions
Penalties
Muntz (28')
England made it two from two in the Quilter Nations Series and stretched their unbeaten run to nine, with a 38-18 victory over Fiji at Allianz Stadium on Saturday.
Luke Cowan-Dicke, Immanuel Feyi-Waboso, Ellis Genge, Jamie George, Maro Itoje, and Henry Arundell scored Steve Borthwick’s side’s tries. For Fiji, hooker Tevita Ikanivere grabbed a brace of tries, and Caleb Muntz touched down in between, as well as landing a penalty.
England now face New Zealand at Allianz Stadium on Saturday, while Fiji head south to Bordeaux where they will take on France at the Stade Matmut Atlantique Bordeaux-Metropole later that day.
No Suprises
England won, tick. Fiji caused problems, played some thrilling rugby, and then tired, tick. England perked up after the bench emptied and took the match away from tricky opponents. Tick.
Overall, the match didn’t really deviate from most people’s pre-match predictions. They way that England have been playing, their familiarity, and their confidence meant that something extraordinary had to happen if Fiji wanted to match their 2023 victory.
England lack that flakiness of two year’s ago. Raw players then are now leaders, there is more familiarity, major problems have become minor gripes, and the players on the bench offer a threat that they didn’t two years ago. They are in a good position and will want to confirm that with victory over the All Blacks.
Smiths In The Balance
Both Smiths had the chance to show what they offered, Fin at flyhalf and Marcus at fullback, just like in the Guinness Men’s Six Nations. While they had their moments, they didn’t make an indisputable case for their retention for the All Blacks’ visit.
Fin Smith grew as the match progressed, but was a little stuttery at first, not quite flowing as he did earlier in the year, or as he has been doing for Northampton Saints. One area where he impressed was in defence where he led the way for England with 15 tackles. Something for Borthwick to consider when he contemplates the Polynesian sidesteppers sure to be coming his way.
Marcus Smith had a solid 80 minutes, which is what he probably needed after an up and down return to Harlequins this season. He didn’t try anything unnecessary, didn’t mind hammering the ball away, and he linked play well in the outside channels. He carried the most metres, 93, and set up Arundell to score with a delicate grubber that the wing swooped on.
Midfield – Stick Or Twist?
One area that Borthwick can count on is outside centre, where Ollie Lawrence showed why he is one of his key players these days. His step and run in the build up to Ellis Genge’s try showed what he brings in attack.
A straightened line, quick feet, and the ability to get away from a defender is what you want you 13 to bring and he brought it to shut out debate over trying Tommy Freeman there or giving Henry Slade a chance. Add in the 13 tackles he made, and there is little doubt that he will run out against New Zealand.
The same can’t be said of his centre partner Fraser Dingwell. He has been fine in both matches, albeit without doing the spectacular. Against, Australia he will be remembered for the intercept pass that Harry Potter swooped on, and being bundled over by teammate Joe Heyes as the prop raced to return to his defensive position.
Nine carries, and eight tackles show he’s doing the basics of an inside centre without problem. He may not be the most spectacular, but as a round peg in a round hole continuing with him and allowing him the chance to grow in the role would be fair. Since coming into the team, he’s knitted the backline together in a way that others haven’t. Slade and Lawrence have been tried there without much success, and while Max Ojomoh may eventually come through, until he makes the Bath 12 jersey his own, then it makes sense to leave Dingwell in situ.
Cunningham-South Fails To Convince
With Tom Willis taking himself out of England contention with his impeding mover to Bordeaux-Begles, Chandler Cunningham-South had the chance to show his worth at number eight, but he didn’t quite nail his audition.
He did the basics well. His six carries are at the lower end of what a number eight should expect, even in 53 minutes, but four of them took him past a defender, and he made an impression in defence with nine tackles.
However, the fact he came off for Henry Pollock when he did gives the feeling that he didn’t overly convince Borthwick. Ben Earl is now first choice for the Kiwis, and a place on the bench covering second and back row is where we are most likely to see Cunningham-South.
