England finish strong to down Fiji

The hosts were made to work hard for their victory against a determined Fiji outfit, but late tries from Mike Brown and replacement Billy Vunipola saw England take a full-house of five log points in the end.

The visitors made a shaky start as flyhalf Ben Volavola fumbled a high ball to hand England the first scrum of the match, and they took full advantage by winning a penalty which George Ford kicked over to open the scoring.

It was Ford's turn to fumble soon afterwards to give Fiji the put-in at the scrum and they sent it wide as early as possible where Brad Barritt gave away a penalty for not rolling away in the tackle, but Volavola hit the upright.

England were back on the attack soon afterwards as Anthony Watson won a high ball in Fiji territory, but they were put under pressure at the breakdown and Fiji were able to clear the danger.

However, it was not long until the pressure told as a powerful driving maul from England was brought down illegally just short of the tryline, resulting in a penalty try and a yellow card for Fiji scrumhalf Nikola Matawalu.

With Fiji down to 14 men, England kept the pedal down, and showed good patience to put fullback Mike Brown over in the corner for their second try.

Fiji looked to have hit back when Matawalu who was back on, broke from a scrum and got over in the corner, but he lost the ball forward in the act of grounding it so England managed to escape.

Fiji put in a massive shove from the resulting scrum and won the ball for Volavola who put in a pinpoint cross-kick for Nemani Nadolo who won it in the air and scored in spectacular style in the corner to get Fiji on the scoreboard.

The teams traded penalties as first Ford and then Nadolo split the uprights, to send England into the half-time break with an 18-8 advantage.

Neither side was able to impose themselves at the start of the second half until Fiji broke the deadlock with a penalty from Volavola after Nadolo put two attempts wide.

England hit back soon afterward with a penalty from replacement Owen Farrell to restore their 10-point advantage at 21-11 with 10 minutes left to play.

England extended that lead when Brown forced his way over for his second try soon afterwards, leaving the home side with just one more try to secure the bonus point.

It came courtesy of Vunipola who crashed over from close range to secure the crucial bonus point, much to the delight of the Twickenham crowd.

Man of the match: Nemani Nadolo and Ben Volavola posed a constant threat for Fiji, and their forwards fared well in the set-pieces, but it is hard to look past two-try hero Mike Brown whose finishing proved vital for England.

Moment of the match: The most significant moment was probably the last try from Vunipola which secured the bonus point, but the most impressive moment was the only try scored by Fiji, when Nadolo claimed a cross-kick to score in the corner. 

Villain of the match: Despite the yellow card the match was played in a good spirit.

The scorers:

For England:

Tries: Penalty try, Brown 2, B Vunipola

Cons: Ford, Farrell 2

Pens: Ford 2, Farrell

For Fiji:

Try: Nadolo

Pens: Nadolo, Volavola

Yellow card: Nikola Matawalu (Fiji, 15 – Cynical infringement, collapsing maul)

Teams:

England: 15 Mike Brown, 14 Anthony Watson, 13 Jonathan Joseph, 12 Brad Barritt, 11 Jonny May, 10 George Ford, 9 Ben Youngs, 8 Ben Morgan, 7 Chris Robshaw (captain), 6 Tom Wood, 5 Courtney Lawes, 4 Geoff Parling, 3 Dan Cole, 2 Tom Youngs, 1 Joe Marler.

Replacements: 16 Rob Webber, 17 Mako Vunipola, 18 Kieran Brookes, 19 Joe Launchbury, 20 Billy Vunipola, 21 Richard Wigglesworth, 22 Owen Farrell, 23 Sam Burgess.

Fiji: 15 Metuisela Talebula, 14 Waisea Nayacalevu, 13 Vereniki Goneva, 12 Gabiriele Lovobalavu, 11 Nemani Nadolo, 10 Ben Volavola, 9 Nikola Matawalu, 8 Sakiusa Masi Matadigo, 7 Akapusi Qera (captain), 6 Dominiko Waqaniburotu, 5 Leone Nakarawa, 4 Apisalome Ratuniyarawa, 3 Manasa Saulo, 2 Sunia Koto, 1 Campese Ma'afu.

Replacements: 16 Tuapati Talemaitoga, 17 Peni Ravai,  18 Isei Colati, 19 Tevita Cavubati, 20 Peceli Yato, 21 Nemia Kenatale, 22 Joshua Matavesi, 23 Aseli Tikoirotuma.

Referee: Jaco Peyper (South Africa)

Assistant referees: John Lacey (Ireland), Stuart Berry (South Africa)

TMO: Shaun Veldsman (South Africa)