Match Result
A good second half for England has seen them cruise to a commanding 35 to 11 win over Fiji at Twickenham in the opening game of the Rugby World Cup.
It was a nervous opening from both sides as the weather appeared to affect the way the game was played for most of the first half. Mike Brown was absolutely superb in a man of the match performance for England with two tries and over 140 running metres.
In a game that was hardly the greatest spectacle, both sides will need to improve heading into their second pool games, but England will be satisfied knowing they finished the game with the four try bonus point.
Match Preview
The time for talking stops now as England open up their home Rugby World Cup against Fiji under lights at Twickenham. Join The Roar for all the action from 4:45am (AEST).
Expect a vocal crowd with a full house of 82,000 expected for this game at England’s HQ.
This is a must-win game for both sides, with difficult games against Australia and Wales to shape this pool.
While you might expect England to win, you only have to think back to 2007 when Fiji upset Wales, as the Welsh tried to beat the Fijians at their own game.
The Fijians come into the game with good form, winning four of their last five games, and a draw against Samoa.
England have also won four of their last five, but against much stronger opponents, their sole loss coming against France 25-20.
Both sides are stocked with talents. While the Fijians will be missing Top 14 star Napolioni Nalaga, they have the services of Niko Matawalu and Metuisela Talebula.
Fijian captain Akapusi Qera may be cheered by fans from both countries after his stint in Gloucester’s No. 7 jersey. Giant winger Nemani Nadolo may score the odd try, but he’ll likely have to run in six for this game to be close.
For England, Bath’s Jonathan Joseph and Leicester’s Tom Youngs are the ones to watch.
Prediction
England to win this comfortably in front of a massive crowd.
England by 24.
Neil back
Guest
C'mon. Fess up. You didn't watch it. Neither of those guys start.
Neil back
Guest
This could hardly be classified as 'every single indiscretion', although I take your point generally.
Neil back
Guest
I wish you could actually pay attention to what people are saying mate
Neil back
Guest
Not even borderline nonsense
neil back
Guest
Borderline nonsense
JonA
Guest
Cole was the TH throughout the whole of the 6 nations. English scrum was, arguably, the best in the 6N. The biggest difference is no Attwood and no Hartley. Most of the problems were on the LH side anyway. Marler had a pretty bad shoulder injury towards the end of the season - maybe he's not fully recovered? However, I think the tight 5 look a bit too 'athletic' and 'mobile' and it looks like the scrum is suffering as a result. Watching that game also reminded me what RWC rugby is all about. brookes-george-wilson, Farrell in for Ford, Wigs in for Youngs.
JimmyB
Guest
Wtf?
rugby7
Guest
The only way a late player can legally join a maul is by properly binding on to the ball-carrier at the back. Peyper allowed England players to run past the ball-carrier and join the maul ahead of him, thereby adding another blocker to defend the carrier in a clearly offside position. The refereeing authorities stressed prior to the Tournament that the maul laws would be rigidly policed - it has taken only the first game to see this blot on the game will be allowed ad nauseam.
rugby7
Guest
I'm sorry, nick, but although the Fijian momentarily lost control of he ball, there was absolutely no forward movement before he regained possession; a vertically dropped ball is NOT a knock-on if the ball does not travel towards the attacking goal line. The ruling should have been: play-on, therefore fair try.
rick page
Guest
Congrats Brent Ford, you picked it exactly correct- England by 24. Good work.
Jono
Guest
People are saying this Fiji team is the best ever to go to a world cup, but I'm not yet convinced it is better than the 2007 side. Look at the value a sure goalkicking 10 can give a team. Nicky Little got them out of the pools in 2007 with the assured way he kicked. Fiji lost a lot of scoreboard pressure that might have made a difference. England looked like they were a bit overawed by the occasion, which isn't surprising. However, they did what was needed in the end and knew that Fiji, like most second tier sides will likely fade in the last 10-15 minutes. Nervous start is out of the way I expect that they will look a fair bit more composed come the game against Wales. The only major thing I didn't like was that the crowd sang over the Fijian's traditional dance at the start of the game. I'm not sure disrespectful is really the correct word to use, but it definitely ruined the spectacle of it. Hopefully other supporters won't do the same in the other games the Pacific Island nations (and of course NZ) play.
FishBoy
Guest
Stash the ref had a shocker. The truck and trailer try, the sending off, and the last try was a knock on and short of the line.
FishBoy
Guest
Totally on the truck and trailer. If the TMO should be used it is with spider cam to see whether the try was legal in that aspect. Not always to see from ref's position as Piper is 5ft tall but if the TMO is going to be used then it should be used consistently to review all tries and the TMO bring it to the attention of the ref if he sees something critical.
nickoldschool
Roar Guru
You reckon? Many of my countrymen said the same today but i dont think so. All tries are shown on the big screen these days, i think we are past this kind of manipulation and disinformation. At least thats what i want to believe as i want to enjoy the tourno.
FishBoy
Guest
Agreed! I am giving away my England top - too embarrassed to keep after the appalling English commentary. Put up with it for the 6 nations but this is world stage. I had to turn it off. Some of the comments about the Fijians being specimens and "they're here to play" said two or three times were cringeworthy and insulting and from a bygone era. It was May this, Robshaw that, if England can do this and that.... basically the most biased commentary I think I have ever heard. It was truly evident at the death when they were insistent on the try that (I believe) wasn't - not just the grounding but the knock-on that preceded it.
Mango Jack
Guest
The commentary was awful. They barely acknowledged there was another team on the field. Even when Fiji had possession, it was all "England this, England that" Did they even bother to learn the Fijian players names?
JimmyB
Guest
Nick, you've always been a reasonable and reasoned fella, I'm surprised that you've survived the Roar for as long as you have.
Nick
Guest
Nailed the prediction Amazed!
Ryan
Guest
This is so true, look at the knock on close to the end of the match before England secured a bonus point try... England were rubbish and I don't think Fiji played great either and they will be kicking themselves. If England make it out of the pool I don't see them going very far in the tournament unless they are aided by some 50/50 hometown calls like they were today.
In brief
Guest
If we apply that logic than every single ruck and maul should be subject to scrutiny - after all the TMO is there, so why not use it. . The point is you will never remove every error from rugby because it is not tennis, there are so many grey areas, penalties that could go either way. Even the concept of a knock on is applied differently across the field (if the try scorer dropped the ball at the base of a ruck it would be play on, no knock on. If he fed a scrum by dropping the ball side ways, it's not a knock on either). I would prefer we accept there will be errors, as is the case with soccer, and just get on with the match.