England v Fiji, 18 September

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ENGLAND v FIJI
18 September 2015
KO: 20:00 BST
Twickenham, London

Live on ITV and BBC Radio 5 live

Referee: Jaco Peyper (South Africa)
Touch judges: John Lacey (Ireland) & Stuart Berry (South Africa)
Television match official: Shaun Veldsman (South Africa)

A. Head to Head

5 Played 5
5 Won 0
0 Drawn 0
0 Lost 5
210 Points 83

B. Recent Form

10 November 2012
England 54 - 12 Fiji
Twickenham

20 October 1999
England 45 - 24 Fiji
Twickenham

20 July 1991
Fiji 12 - 28 England
National Stadium, Suva

04 November 1989
England 58 - 23 Fiji
Twickenham

17 June 1988
Fiji 12 - 25 England
National Stadium, Suva

C. Teams

ENGLAND

Mike Brown (Harlequins); Anthony Watson (Bath Rugby), Jonathan Joseph (Bath Rugby), Brad Barritt (Saracens), Jonny May (Gloucester Rugby); George Ford (Bath Rugby); Ben Youngs (Leicester Tigers); Joe Marler (Harlequins), Tom Youngs (Leicester Tigers), Dan Cole (Leicester Tigers), Geoff Parling (Exeter Chiefs), Courtney Lawes (Northampton Saints), Tom Wood (Northampton Saints), Chris Robshaw (capt, Harlequins), Ben Morgan (Gloucester Rugby).

Replacements: Rob Webber (Bath Rugby), Mako Vunipola (Saracens), Kieran Brookes (Northampton Saints), Joe Launchbury (Wasps), Billy Vunipola (Saracens), Richard Wigglesworth (Saracens), Owen Farrell (Saracens), Sam Burgess (Bath Rugby).

FIJI

1. Campese Ma’afu
2. Sunia Koto
3. Manasa Saulo
4. Apisalome Ratuniyarawa
5. Leone Nakarawa
6. Dominiko Waqaniburotu
7. Akapusi Qera (Captain)
8. Sakiusa Masi Matadigo

9. Nikola Matawalu
10. Ben Volavola
11. Nemani Nadolo
12. Gabiriele Lovobalavu
13. Vereniki Goneva
14. Waisea Nayacalevu
15. Metuisela Talebula

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

clivemcl wrote:When did they take the jumping into a tackle out of the laws? May did one heck of a jump into a tackle just before the last try.

i think the only reason he gets away with it is that he tries to jump around tackle instead of into it

Only saw the second half but that looked a bit stuttery.

Good finish when Fiji ran out of gas ; but it won't exactly terrify Wales or Australia.

Thank heaven for Mike Brown.

clivemcl wrote:When did they take the jumping into a tackle out of the laws? May did one heck of a jump into a tackle just before the last try.

I think the argument would be he was diving for the line.

well hopefully we have just had a Poopie performance out of the way and still got the BP

I would've pinged May for jumping in the tackle tbh. Reasonably good match to open up the WC, England fairly lucky to get 5pts and not really a result Fiji deserved.

Its no given the Aussies and Wales will bonus point Fiji and it'd doubtful either will end up with a better points diff this game. I can see fiji causing wales all sorts of problems. Wales have to play them 5 days after their game against the aussies

Cheika and Gatland will have a spring in their step tonight.

Rory_Gallagher wrote:

trebellbobaggins wrote:Mike Brown is the Rob Van Damn of rugby, always takes himself out to get the big result.

Fantastic reference.

Cheers. He is isn't he

profitius wrote:Cheika and Gatland will have a spring in their step tonight.

Gatland will be somewhat sobered by Eng coming in more battle hardened now.

I can't see Wales beating Fiji if I'm honest

England still just look too lightweight and athletic for me. They gone too far to the mobile team.

Billy V showed what power can bring.
We need another lock with that. Lawes is a concern for me.

carpet baboon wrote:OK first game nerves and all that but did England's scrum look decidedly shaky tonight?

YES. It certainly did.

profitius wrote:Cheika and Gatland will have a spring in their step tonight.

Really, that over confidence wont help them. this isn't Fiji of old

profitius wrote:Cheika and Gatland will have a spring in their step tonight.

Dream on - that Fiji performance would beat Wales and run Aus close

C-

Must do better, England.

Well I enjoyed that. Pretty sloppy from both sides, but it was fast and physical, a competitive game and not what I feared, which was a one-sided affair. Well done England- many improvements to be made, but all five points in the bag.

lol, the Fijian 10 jumping like a cat on the back of brown

Barney McGrew did it wrote:

profitius wrote:Cheika and Gatland will have a spring in their step tonight.

Dream on - that Fiji performance would beat Wales and run Aus close

It was a good performance but they really didn't show what they can do with the ball in hand and were actually poor in that respect; they could barely string a couple of phases together . I feel they will only get better as the tournament goes on, so Aus and Wales should be really worried.

They NEED more games against tier one nations!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Cracking game - thoroughly enjoyed it. Well done to England in particular for attacking all game.

Fijis breakdown work was great - its wasn't england mistakes that led to the turnovers - its was good Fiji play.

England will have to improve. Scrum was poor and could have had a couple more pens against them.

Brown was very good MOTM for me. shame he has been such a git in the past I can't stand him but he seems to have got his temper and arrogance under control under Lancaster.

England well worth the win but flatterd to get the bonus point.

OK reffing performance - no major blunders - we can always find 50/50 calls that we don't agree with. its the nature of the game. Made the game a bit disjointed tho. Most of the calls folk on here are disagreeing with are because they don't understand the laws of the game .

Its an enetrtainment business and that was entertaining

trebellbobaggins wrote:

wales606 wrote:Arggg, annoyed England managed to get a BP out of that shambles.

Brown carried England there.

Confident Wales will hammer Fiji?

No, I don't think anyone will hammer Fiji. Although Wales and Aus will have a good chance to do well in the last 20 if they tire them out with a physical set-piece game for the first 60 and run them about a bit. Similar to what Wales did in the 6Ns against Italy.

Wales now have a HUGE amount of pressure. Not only do they have to beat Fiji they need to score 4 tries.

majesticimperialman wrote:

carpet baboon wrote:OK first game nerves and all that but did England's scrum look decidedly shaky tonight?

YES. It certainly did.

I don't think i have ever seen the Fiji scrum being that good. Fiji 3 put one hell of a shift.

Btw Matawalu still hasn't learned how to pass and was a liability more often than not. Hard luck Bath fans.

wrfc1980 wrote:Wales now have a HUGE amount of pressure. Not only do they have to beat Fiji they need to score 4 tries.

Why do they need four tries?

Bonus points may well decide the group

In case England, Wales and Australia each win 3 out of 4. Bonus points could really matter.

Risca Rev wrote:

wrfc1980 wrote:Wales now have a HUGE amount of pressure. Not only do they have to beat Fiji they need to score 4 tries.

Why do they need four tries?

to get the bonus point?

So, was England's scrum poor? Or Fiji's unexpectedly strong?

TJ wrote:Cracking game - thoroughly enjoyed it.  Well done to England in particular for attacking all game.

Fijis breakdown work was great - its wasn't england mistakes that led to the turnovers - its was good Fiji play.

England will have to improve.  Scrum was poor and could have had a couple more pens against them.

Brown was very good MOTM for me.  shame he has been such a git in the past I can't stand him but he seems to have got his temper and arrogance under control under Lancaster.  

England well worth the win but flatterd to get the bonus point.

OK reffing performance - no major blunders - we can always find 50/50 calls that we don't agree with.  its the nature of the game.  Made the game a bit disjointed tho.  Most of the calls folk on here are disagreeing with are because they don't understand the laws of the game .

Its an enetrtainment business and that was entertaining

in fairness, Brown has never been arrogant, he's just always had a temper

both

Don't NEED to do it yet. Bit premature to suggest that, considering we play them third. They'll be tired by then, I think. We'll have more turnover players in our team v them (a real 7 for a start). There's a bit in our favour by then.

Risca Rev wrote:Don't NEED to do it yet. Bit premature to suggest that, considering we play them third. They'll be tired by then, I think. We'll have more turnover players in our team v them (a real 7 for a start). There's a bit in our favour by then.

but they will also have had more time together, so theres arguments from both sides

A few unfair comments about England. Bonus point win. First game, win, move on. They will improve.

Fiji were perhaps better than expected, and I wouldn't be surprised if they pull an upset, hope it's not against us. Pressure on Wales to perform on Sunday and carry some momentum into next Saturday.

Wales have to play them 5 days after there game against the Aussies. Fiji will have come off a game against Uruguay with a longer rest period. Wales are my re likely to be tied

I thought Tom wood had a good game - he made the hard yards when not many other players were standing up to be counted.

Will be an interesting selection next week - England's bench made a real impact.

I thought England were tactically naive at times tonight, looking to play expansive which suited the Fijians. I think it could work against Wales but they will have to be far more accurate for it to work vs Aussies

wales606 wrote:

trebellbobaggins wrote:

wales606 wrote:Arggg, annoyed England managed to get a BP out of that shambles.

Brown carried England there.

Confident Wales will hammer Fiji?

No, I don't think anyone will hammer Fiji. Although Wales and Aus will have a good chance to do well in the last 20 if they tire them out with a physical set-piece game for the first 60 and run them about a bit. Similar to what Wales did in the 6Ns against Italy.

Aussie will hit a tired Fiji but then Fji will hit a tired Wales. Will be interesting.

In the end though, looks like only one of Eng or Wales are going through. All down to next week.

wrfc1980 wrote:Wales have to play them 5 days after there game against the Aussies. Fiji will have come off a game against Uruguay with a longer rest period. Wales are my re likely to be tied

Wales play Aus last.

GavinDragon wrote:So, was England's scrum poor? Or Fiji's unexpectedly strong?

Both

Wales play Fiji on the 1st then aus on the 10th

P.S. Well done England, that was nervy to watch, even far a neutral. If you can play poorly and win, it bodes well for you.

GeordieFalcon wrote:England still just look too lightweight and athletic for me. They gone too far to the mobile team.

Billy V showed what power can bring.
We need another lock with that. Lawes is a concern for me.  

Billy V certainly looks a lot slimmer - he seems to have got the balance right in terms of his mobility/mass.

Well that wasn't the performance I expected from England, their scrum struggled and for parts they tried to play Fiji at their own game for long periods and it didn't work.

That said 5 points is 5 points and Mike Brown is class, a b it of **** but class all the same. One thing which seems to have gone a miss by the media (no surprise there) but I thought jumping into a tackle is illegal and that is exactly what May done in build up to Billy Vs try, which by the way was a try.

Shane Williams was a master of jumping into the tackle

He also knocked on earlier on too BW. Not a great night for the officials, but England worthy of the win (possibly not the BP though).

wrfc1980 wrote:Shane Williams was a master of jumping into the tackle

I hate jumping into the tackle, or the try (unless for a cross field)

GavinDragon wrote:I thought England were tactically naive at times tonight, looking to play expansive which suited the Fijians. I think it could work against Wales but they will have to be far more accurate for it to work vs Aussies

I think the aim might have been to get Fiji running a lot in defence and to tire them - and also England sharpest weapons are the back 3. I am suprised there wasn't more pick and go / forward running at first receiver tho - and England needed somone coming from deep / cutting back at an angle when moving the ballwide

Personally I am pleased - I want to see attacking rugby and I want entertainment - and that was entertaining

wrfc1980 wrote:Shane Williams was a master of jumping into the tackle

And I criticised him for it as well so don't get your point? I say things as I see it be it Wales or any other side.

I expected England to win and get the 5 points though not quite in the manner they did. They will get better and learn from their mistakes.

The ref was shocking he spent 10 mins with the video ref and the one decision he did make was turned over by the TV replay. May did jump to avoid a tackle and the third try had two forward passed before the final good offload for the score. Home advantage is massive for England it's like having one extra man or two.

Fiji are a handful and they will get better and not make so many handling errors also missing so many kicks at goal so Wales must be up for a battle.

England got the the points for the win so well done roll on the next game.

The game saw an interesting reversal of stereotypes: the Fiji pack were impressive, winning turn-overs, scrums and lineouts, and it was the English backs that were more dangerous!