07/11/26 12:07:00
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07/11 12:05 CDT England rebounds from South Africa loss by crushing 14-man Fiji
73-8 in Nations Championship
England rebounds from South Africa loss by crushing 14-man Fiji 73-8 in Nations
Championship
LIVERPOOL, England (AP) --- England mollified its critics for a week after
smothering a dismal Fiji by a record 73-8 in Nations Championship rugby on
Saturday.
Relevant questions about England's lineup, tactics and attitude after the
hammering from world champion South Africa in Johannesburg last weekend were
pacified somewhat by coming home and posting an equally unsurprising 11-try win
against outclassed Fiji.
Fiji struggled for possession and could not handle England's scrum, maul and
defense. Under pressure, Fiji conceded 12 penalties --- nine by halftime ---
and a red card to scrumhalf Simione Kuruvoli for lashing out with his boot into
the stomach of Ellis Genge.
That meant Fiji played the entire second half down a man and England could play
wider and be ruthless. Up 35-3 at halftime, England added six more tries,
including a hat trick for replacement flanker Henry Pollock. Fin Smith
converted nine.
England tallied a record score against Fiji and its biggest win since beating
Chile 71-0 in Lille at the 2023 Rugby World Cup.
"What really pleased me was the defensive performance," England coach Steve
Borthwick said. "We played a Fiji team that is so dangerous with ball in hand.
To restrict them right to the end was an impressive defensive performance. To
be alive for each and every minute was pleasing."
A more thorough vetting of England's latest changes, including Henry Slade
recalled to outside center, should come from Argentina next weekend in Santiago
del Estero.
After a poor show against the Springboks, England was under pressure to avoid a
sixth straight test defeat for the first time in 20 years and beat Fiji, which
ran Wales ragged last weekend but was overcome in the set-pieces.
Any tension in the sun-soaked crowd of 50,000 at Hill Dickinson Stadium
evaporated quickly after Fiji gifted Marcus Smith the opening try when Salesi
Rayasi casually let the ball bounce off the right corner flag, followed by
England captain Jamie George scoring from a lineout drive before the first
water break.
While Fiji flanker Levani Botia was in the sin-bin, England jumped from 14-3 to
35-3 with tries by Guy Pepper, Benhard Janse van Rensburg with his first touch
on debut, and Seb Atkinson.
Fiji deserved a first try right on halftime to Kalaveti Ravouvou after 11
phases but it was chalked off after Kuruvoli was caught kicking Genge on the
floor.
Surprisingly, Fiji scored the first try of the second half to captain Tevita
Ikanivere but didn't go near the England tryline again.
Without any jeopardy, England debuted South Africa-born center Janse van
Rensburg, 19-year-old wing Noah Caluori and prop George Kloska. Both backs
scored, with Janse van Rensburg even setting up Caluori for his swan dive.
Fiji is in Scotland next weekend.
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AP rugby: https://apnews.com/hub/rugby
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