Captain Tevita Ikanivere is assured the Flying Fijians will study from the ill-discipline and decision-making that “allow us to down” of their 38-18 Quilter Nations Sequence defeat to England at Twickenham’s Allianz Stadium.
After taking out the Pacific Nations Cup title with a 33-27 win over Japan in September, Fiji returned to the Check area on Saturday – working out onto the sacred turf at Twickenham, the host venue for one in every of Fiji’s most well-known wins ever.
Fiji defeated England for the primary time simply earlier than the 2023 Rugby World Cup, earlier than falling to the identical foe in an exhilarating quarter-final in Marseille. Two years later, the Flying Fijians had been again in London, trying to begin their three-week Autumn Internationals window with a win.
When Ikanivere scored Fiji’s third and ultimate strive within the 51st minute, the guests solely trailed by three factors. Fiji followers dared to dream however England showcased their aptitude and sophistication, piling on 17 unanswered factors en path to a confidence-building triumph.
“Not the outcome we needed,” Ikanivere stated post-game, as seen on Stan Sport.
“Fairly disillusioned in ourselves, the self-discipline we had in direction of the top, not solely the yellow playing cards however our decision-making. I feel that permit us down.
“We’ll study from that. We’ll be higher for it subsequent week in France.”
Luke Cowan-Dickie opened the scoring within the fifth minute earlier than Ikanivere hit again for Fiji with an effort quickly after. The skipper led by instance and the Flying Fijians appeared impressed because of this, with fly-half Caleb Muntz ending a try-scoring likelihood with spectacular ability.
Muntz added one other three factors to Fiji’s rating with a penalty within the 28th minute, which noticed the guests take a 13-7 lead. However a yellow card to Selestino Ravutaumada was a talking-point post-game, with England putting simply earlier than the break by means of Immanuel Feyi-Waboso.
Ellis Genge prolonged the house aspect’s lead additional early within the second time period earlier than Ikanivere’s second of the Check. Fiji had a second participant despatched to the sin bin eight minutes later, with highly effective midfielder Josua Tuisova sitting down for 10.
Jamie George, Henry Arundell and Maro Itoje crossed for a strive every, with Marcus Smith changing the lock’s strive, as England ran away with a 20-point victory. England will face the All Blacks subsequent week on the identical venue, as they give the impression of being to maintain their profitable streak alive.
The Flying Fijians flip their focus to a match towards France, who shall be desperate to bounce again after shedding to the Springboks. Fiji will then tackle Spain of their ultimate worldwide fixture of the 2025 season.
“We needed loads of Check matches towards tier-one nations and we’re getting it,” Ikanivere defined.
“Or execution is crucial factor. Our exits are crucial and we’ll work on that for subsequent week.
“We’re having fun with ourselves… we’re studying and constructing in direction of the World Cup in ’27.”
