Fiji will head into next month’s World Cup as the tournament’s darkest horse. The Island Nation is celebrating their greatest victory, having shocked England 30-22 at Twickenham to record their first win over the rugby heavyweight.
Despite trailing 8-0 after an early Jonny May try and 8-3 at half-time, Fiji thrived in the wet and put the heat on England to take the lead early in the second half after captain Waisea Nayacalevu scored. Fiji never looked back.
Both sides scored three tries but it was the boot of Caleb Muntz that was the difference, with the playmaker slotting three penalties.
Vinaya Habosi celebrates during Fiji’s win over England at Twickenham on August 26, 2023 in London. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images)
After Marcus Smith gave England some hope by scoring a stunning try, Simione Kuruvoli’s try in the 72nd minute and some strong late defence sealed the deal.
Fiji, who have made the World Cup quarter-finals just once, have emerged as one of the tournament’s outside threats after four wins from five matches since July. Their sole defeat was against France last weekend.
Simon Raiwalui’s men are grouped alongside the Wallabies and Wales in Pool C, with a path through to the semi-finals a genuine possibility.
Not that Nayacalevu would boldly declare that when asked by Sonja McLaughlan, with Fiji to play Wales in a tournament defining opening match.
“We’ll see after our first game against Wales,” he said.
Courtney Lawes’ England slumped to their first defeat to Fiji. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images)
England might have made four World Cup finals and claimed the Webb Ellis Cup once in 2003, but it was the rugby powerhouse that looked the “tier-two” side.
Fiji made England rue their poor handling while their stars players, including Semi Radradra, bumped away his opposite numbers at will.
Were it not for several blown chances in the second 20 minutes of the opening half, Fiji would have won in a canter.
In the end, they were forced to repel England’s second half surge as they closed to within one point when Joe Marchant scored out wide and George Ford converted from the sideline.
“We just needed to keep our discipline,” Nayacalevu said. “We lost a bit of footy in our heads and England gave us what we expected.”
While Twickenham’s top tier was closed, the noise Fiji’s fans made was deafening.
“Very proud, happy, excited. Grateful for the opportunity, everything has gone to plan,” Nayacalevu said.
“Big shout out to the boy who always have my back at training. [A big thank you] to the fans who came out today and we’ll see you at the World Cup.”
England, meanwhile, are in disarray.
Almost 10 months after the Rugby Football Union sacked Eddie Jones, Steve Borthwick’s men won just two Six Nations Tests and have slumped to defeats to Wales, Ireland and now Fiji over the past month.
Courtney Lawes, who is deputising in the absence of the suspended Owen Farrell, was once again the man who was forced to bring the team together at the fallen Twickenham fortress that is now being described as the “temple of doom”.
“A familiar one, unfortunately,” Lawes said, in reference to the long huddle following the defeat.
“It’s just not good enough. We are where we are at the minute, all we can do is push on. It’s obviously really disappointing. Not much more to say really.”
Vinaya Habosi scores Fiji’s second try during against England at Twickenham on August 26, 2023 in London. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images)
Central to England’s poor form is their poor defence, with Borthwick’s side shipping 23 tries in their past six matches.
Lawes said their struggles went beyond their defence.
“We just need to get our attack together,” he said.
“Again, turning over too many, crucial penalties, and today we didn’t tackle well enough.
“They’re a really good team now. They’ve got some phenomenal athletes and they showed it today. One-on-one they made us look silly at times. We need to improve. We’ve got to two weeks to do so.”
The match was watched before the eyes of Wales coach Warren Gatland.
He won’t be the only coach who will have sat up and taken notice.
It was in the days after the World Cup draw took place that Eddie Jones nominated Fiji as the World Cup’s dark horse. At the time he was England coach. Now, his Wallabies side will take them on in St Etienne in their second Pool C match on September 16.
Rolando
Roar Rookie
Really? Here's Woodward on Borthwick's England this weekend: “England were outplayed by Fiji, but now is not the time to panic,” wrote Woodward. “That’s life, these things happen and only one game matters — the opening World Cup pool match against Argentina. Now here is Woodward about Jones in March: "It would be easy to put the boot into Steve Borthwick now," the 67-year-old opined in his Daily Mail column. "But this France humiliation is not the fault of the new England head coach. "The result merely shows that the Eddie Jones regime led English rugby into big, big trouble in the last three years, with a few one-off wins papering over the cracks.
adastra32
Roar Rookie
Don't worry - Woodward is piling into Borthwick with just as much force! England will not make it out of their group, on the evidence thus far.
The Late News
Roar Rookie
Ah mon ami une dumb Australien. Spelling is now corrected. A bientot.
Gepetto
Roar Rookie
There was a dotted line in front of them; players passing and receiving were parallel with each other. It was not an obvious forward pass.
Aiden
Roar Rookie
Part of me is worried we will lose to Fiji. Another part of me wants them to be this WC’s Japan … make it to the 1/4s as the top team and then who knows. If they do beat us, I hope they win all their pool games, and the 1/4.
If you are not a fan of Foley you would have the same feelings about George Ford. Just seen a replay and had to check it was not Foley playing so similar are their styles and ineffective grubber kicks. And what has happened to Itojeo. Once upon a time he was in everything but in that game I did not know he was on the field.
HiKa
Roar Rookie
The TMO has a bunch of screens with lots of angles. They aren't dependent on a TV producer. As for the stadium big screen, that is a different story unless the TMO specifically calls to show a particular angle to the ref.
HiKa
Roar Rookie
I think with the addition of their Euro-based players, the gap between Fiji and Samoa is less than it has been (say last year's Pacific Nations Cup). I rate Sapoanga and Leali'ifano as better #10's than Muntz and Tela. Samoa might have them in the scrum, too. England play Samoa in last round of the pool matches, so cohesion should be improved by then, but Lord knows how injuries will play out by then. What changes can Borthwick wring out of this England team without making personnel changes now? I expect Samoa to finish ahead of Japan and provide a very tough game for England.
Nick Maguire
Roar Rookie
Nope. We still have a great draw. On balance Fiji and AU should go through. It's a group of death for Wales, less so for AU. However who knows what happens in a WC! :laughing: :rugby:
Ben Pobjie
Expert
The only way Fiji will beat Australia is if Australia plays poorly, which I simply cannot imagine ever happening.
Neville Boyd
Roar Rookie
@metalisticpain....the new eligibility rules do help PI nations but anyone with a passing interest in PI rugby will know that only Samoa and Tonga have benefited from this. Fiji only had Seta Tamanivalu, ex-all black, in the mix and he didn't make the cut. It's not that he isn't good enough, it's the fact that we have enough, close to world class centres, and great wingers without having to resort to picking ex-all blacks etc....
PeterK
Roar Guru
agree, however Samoa are not as good as Fiji and Fiji only beat england by a small score
Nick Maguire
Roar Rookie
Paul, Definitely. Despite not being the national coach the influence of Mick Byrne at the Drua can't be ignored. There is definitely an improvement in professionalism and pragmatism in their programme. Set piece better, not there yet but you can see the progression. The Drua began to build pressure, hold the pill for multiple phases and look to play Rugby that didn't just look exciting but actually produced results. The Rugby world better look out because if they continue to add better Rugby to their undoubted physical talent we may never beat them again ????. Exaggeration but it's the leap they can take. Problems in their HO a fly in the ointment.
Nick Maguire
Roar Rookie
mused, Always was if anybody had paid attention to the Drua.
Nick Maguire
Roar Rookie
PK, Wales are in big trouble. Sad for their history to say however I think they'll really struggle to get out of the pool. I think Fiji and AU progress, in which order though? :laughing:
Mike88
Roar Rookie
I have been saying over here that Fiji, Samoa and Tonga will not play to type ie hard running, hard defending but ultimately fall short with technical ability and control. They have some absolute quality, highly European experienced players with good technique and good coaching. They are a much more controlled version of themselves and very powerful in all forms of contact. Their set piece has improved out of sight. Anyone see the Ireland vs Samoa game? Every game in our pool will need to be won on merit and will be a huge challenge physically. Flogging a dead horse here, but it's why a lot of us lament there's not a guy who can potentially unlock good defences through the extraordinary on the bench.
Nick Maguire
Roar Rookie
Mick Byrne?
Lee Byron
Roar Rookie
Fiji has made the RWC quatrter finals TWICE!!
Objective Observer
Roar Rookie
It amazing what happens when NZ get referees who apply the laws to their play!
Ken Catchpole's Other Leg
Roar Guru
I packed extra cookie. All good.