England vs Fiji LIVE rugby: Result and reaction as Pacific Islanders secure historic win
England take on Fiji at Twickenham in their final Rugby World Cup warm-up fixture
England hit a new low ahead of the Rugby World Cup after suffering a first ever defeat to Fiji.
The Pacific Islanders were deserved 30-22 winners on a stormy afternoon at Twickenham, thriving in testing conditions as England were beaten for the first time by a Tier Two nation.
It was a day where little went right for England after a bright start, with Steve Borthwick’s side struggling at the set piece and failing to consistently trouble a physical, accurate visiting defence.
Selestino Ravutaumada and Waisea Nayacalevu were among the stars in Fijian white as they danced to 27 second half points on a famous day for Pacific Island rugby.
And Simon Raiwalui’s team, who were missing Levani Botia and Josua Tuisova, must surely now be considered contenders to make a semi final at least at the tournament in France, with Wales, Australia and Georgia all eminently beatable in Pool C.
Borthwick and England, meanwhile, will head to their World Cup training base in Le Touquet on Thursday having won just once in their last six games.
England open their Pool D efforts against Argentina on Saturday 9 September.
Follow all the latest from England vs Fiji below.
England 8-10 Fiji, 50 minutes
Staunch Fijian defence! George Ford runs out of immediate support and kicks aimlessly with England having exhausted all other attacking options. His attempted grubber makes it all of a metre before skewing away off a Fijian leg, and Semi Radradra wins a holding on penalty out of England’s fly half after Ford picks up the pieces.
Groans of frustration from the Twickenham crowd.
England 8-10 Fiji, 48 minutes
Eroni Mawi’s sin bin period is over, allowing Jone Koroiduadua to return to the bench with Lekima Tagitagivalu back involved having been sacrificed on the flank. Simione Kuruvoli replaces Frank Lomani at scrum half and sets about organising his forwards into a defensive structure as England try to bash down the door.
England 8-10 Fiji, 47 minutes
Eroni Mawi will soon be back with us, but England can put the pressure on at scrum time first. Fiji hold firm and Waisea Nayacalevu makes an outstanding tackle as Ollie Lawrence tries to round the bend on the right.
Fijian hands get to the ball at the breakdown, but the contesting player was the second man in - penalty England.
TRY! England 8-10 FIJI (Waisea Nayacalevu try, 43 minutes)
It’s that combination again - and this time it’ll count!
Oh, this is glorious from Selestino Ravutaumada. The wing is a real emerging talent, so impressive during Super Rugby Pacific this year, and now showing what he can do internationally. Ravutaumada takes Semi Radradra’s pass static and assesses the lay of the land, choosing to take on Jonny May. A couple of flicks and kicks and Ravutaumada jives past the England wing, forcing him away with a hand-off and scorching away.
A backwards inwards toss lays the try on a plate for Waisea Nayacalevu, such a good runner of those supporting lines, and Caleb Muntz’s conversion takes Fiji’s 14 men in front!
England 8-3 Fiji, 42 minutes
Not Freddie Steward’s best moment, misjudging a bouncing ball before slicing out on the full. Fiji have possession again inside England’s half.
England 8-3 Fiji, 41 minutes
Fiji attack from 30 metres out after a shallow England clearance, Sam Matavesi throwing over the top of the lineout for an onrushing Semi Radradra, who is effectively corralled by Theo Dan and co.
Jack Willis leads a counter-ruck to knock Fiji off tempo and England manage to clear.
Second half...
Fiji return with the rain seemingly set in. It’s steady rather than severe, though - the visitors showed they would still be willing to play even in the worst of it earlier and they’ve felt close to cutting England to ribbons on a few occasions.
Eroni Mawi remains on the naughty step for the start of the second half, of course. Can the hosts make their numerical advantage count in this first ten minutes after the interval? We’re back underway at Twickenham.
HT: England 8-3 Fiji
Rugby World Cup 2023 squad guide: Players, fixtures and more
With the tournament drawing closer, teams have begun announcing their 33-man squads
HT: England 8-3 Fiji
Another shard of electricity pierces the slate skies overhead as the players make their exit. It’s getting soggy again at Twickenham, and an earlier torrential downpour really seemed to disrupt England, who had started brightly.
Jonny May celebrated his return to the World Cup picture with a well-taken finish in the corner, but Fiji have grown into things, and should have had a score of their own when Selestino Ravutaumada and Waisea Nayacalevu combined. But the wing’s pass to his captain was ruled forward - and the lead is an unconvincing England’s at the half.
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies