Fiji defeated England for the first time ever on Saturday by producing three sensational tries from nothing and winning 30-22 in a Rugby World Cup warm-up at a damp Twickenham.
Fiji lost all seven previous matchups since 1988 by an average score of 41-16, but spotlighted their threat to go well at the World Cup by cleaning up all of their past weaknesses against England: discipline, set-pieces, fitness and goal-kicking. Thanks to that and their natural flair and power, Fiji finally prevailed.
“They’re a really good team now, got some phenomenal athletes,” said England captain Courtney Lawes, whose 100th cap for the national side was spoiled.
Photo: AP
“One on one, they made us look silly,” he added.
Wales, Fiji’s first opponent at the World Cup on Sept. 10 in Bordeaux, France, were duly warned as coach Warren Gatland was at Twickenham.
“The result was really good,” Fiji coach Simon Raiwalui said. “We have pushed the boys very hard [in training], taking them to the limit, and they’ve never complained.”
The Fijians trailed England only 8-3 after a first half they finished strong, and never trailed again from the 43rd minute following their second converted try while playing with 14 men. Prop Eroni Mawa was in the sin-bin.
England closed to 23-22 in the 68th the minute, but Fiji’s third try clinched the victory in the 72nd when dazzling wing Selestino Ravutaumada dragged in four defenders and offloaded for replacement scrumhalf Simione Kuruvoli to score untouched.
Ravutaumada was a deserving man of the match, dangerous whenever he had the ball. He conceded England’s opening try and cost Fiji a first-half try, but he made up for it by setting up two tries.
“England gave us what we expected,” Ravutaumada said.
England were sloppy again, and have lost three of its four World Cup warm-ups. They are no closer to fixing their myriad problems than when Eddie Jones was the coach.
Defeat also compounded a miserable week in which captain Owen Farrell and Billy Vunipola were suspended for the opening World Cup game against Argentina on Sept. 9 in Marseille and winger Anthony Watson was ruled out of the tournament by a calf injury.
“The defense wasn’t good enough,” England coach Steve Borthwick said after his sixth loss in nine Tests. “The power of Fiji’s carries, they scored too easily. We slipped off too many tackles.”
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