England suffered a 30-22 defeat against Fiji at Twickenham on Saturday, marking their first-ever loss to the visitors. This result has left England in disarray as they prepare for the upcoming World Cup in France.
Despite England’s struggles to score tries through their backs in recent games, they managed to strike early in the match. Jonny May, who was recalled for the game, scored a try in the left corner after strong runs from Ollie Lawrence and Manu Tuilagi.
However, Fiji quickly turned the tide of the game and dominated the middle period. They scored tries through Waisea Nayacalevu and Vinaya Habosi, exposing England’s defensive weaknesses.
In the later stages of the game, England showed more promise as they made substitutions and took more risks. Marcus Smith and Joe Marchant scored late tries, raising questions about England’s team selection and strategy.
Despite England’s late surge, Fiji sealed their victory with a decisive try from Simione Kuruvoli, set up by winger Selestino Ravutaumada. This historic win for Fiji left England feeling completely defeated.
Ravutaumada expressed his pride in the team’s performance, dedicating the win to the people of Fiji. Fijian supporters celebrated the victory with singing and waving their national flags.
England’s recent performances had already lowered expectations among their fans. They had lost four of their last five matches, conceding an average of four tries per game and struggling to score points. Injuries and suspensions further weakened the team.
Despite attempts to return to basics under coach Steve Borthwick, England’s approach seemed rigid and ineffective. They missed 27 tackles in the match, highlighting their defensive vulnerabilities.
On the other hand, Fiji can now look forward to the World Cup with optimism. If they can replicate their mature performance, they have a chance of reaching the quarter-finals or even surpassing that.
Ravutaumada, playing in only his fourth test match, stood out as the star player. His performance showcased the positive impact of the Fijian Drua Super Rugby club side on the national team.
England had no answer to Ravutaumada’s skill as he repeatedly evaded defenders and created opportunities for his teammates. If Fiji can maintain this form, they could potentially upset Wales in their opening World Cup game, just as they did in 2007.
With just two weeks to go before their opening fixture against Argentina, England must quickly find cohesion and improve their performance.
Reporting by Lawrence White; Editing by Ken Ferris
