Two tries: Charlie Sharples
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England opened their November Test series account with a decisive 54-12 victory over Fiji, which sets them up nicely for tackling Australia next week.
Following an early blip whereby the islanders held the upper hand, England clicked into gear to claim a seven-try win that will please Stuart Lancaster.
Test debuts were taken by Tom Youngs, Mako Vunipola and Joe Launchbury but it was full-back Alex Goode who stole the show on Saturday as he put in an accomplished performance at fifteen.
Much sterner tests are yet to come however.
Fiji had opened the game in impressive style and despite conceding a penalty at the first scrum of the match, they soon settled into a period of huge dominance of both territory and possession. Late call-up from Gloucester, Akapusi Qera was prominent early on alongside Api Naikatani.
Their hopes further improved on nine minutes when England scrum-half Danny Care was shown a yellow by referee Glen Jackson - who was advised by fourth official Craig Joubert - for an alleged tip tackle. It was a tough call from the officials and one that offered the visitors an extra boost, particularly with their 81 per cent possession statistic at that point in the game.
However, England weathered the storm and in fact scored three points while Care was in the bin, Toby Flood knocking over a penalty with 20 minutes played. It proved to be the start of a turnaround in the statistics as confidence started flowing into England's gameplan.
Goode was England's main strike weapon as he vindicated coach Lancaster's decision to move him ahead of Mike Brown. He was popping up in the first line of attack on countless occasions and his one-two combination with Care always kept Fiji's defence guessing.
Two minutes later and the home side had their reward when Care's smart line off the shoulder of Thomas Waldrom led to Manu Tuilagi and Goode combining before wing Charlie Sharples cut back against the grain to beat three defenders. Flood made it 10-0.
England were beginning to turn the screw in front of 82,000 supporters at HQ, and when a Flood penalty on 26 minutes was compounded for the islanders with Deacon Manu yellow carded for repeated infringements, it looked like being the perfect chance to kill the game.
They did just that when a penalty try was awarded before a break then Care almost set up Sharples for his second try only for the TMO to rule "no try" after the ball had hit the flag.
England were over soon after though when Goode's quick thinking on the stroke of half-time saw him tap before setting up Ugo Monye for a simple try that sent them in 25-0 ahead.
Following the turnaround, England came out firing and should have scored to back up Flood's 43rd-minute penalty but Dan Cole chose to run instead of pass. But when a flowing move saw Goode combine with fly-half Flood, England were over with Johnson on the right.
Fiji hit back with a superb solo effort from Glasgow's Nicola Matawalu, who picked off Ugo Monye's pass, stepped past centre Tuilagi and then won the race to his own chip ahead.
England, though, soon had another try on the board when Flood's looping pass sent in Sharples for his second as he gave Lancaster food for thought in Chris Ashton's absence.
Amidst changes, Ben Youngs came on for Care to make the Youngs family the 10th set of brothers to play in the same England side and the first since Steffon and Delon Armitage.
Then, inside the final ten minutes of the match at Twickenham, Tuilagi bolstered England's victory margin with two tries before Fiji replacement Sekonaia Kalou had the final word by crashing over to cap a match that was entertaining from start to finish.
Man of the match: Faultless at the back. Alex Goode wins this one hands down after he slotted into the English line-up with ease. Many had questioned the move to pick him over Mike Brown at number fifteen but Goode silenced all those doubters on Saturday.
Moment of the match: Although it didn't result in a try, Charlie Sharples' grubber down the line which hit the corner flag and bounced back into play could have been brilliant. A close second has to be the try from Nicola Matawalu, a move he had started 60 metres downfield.
Villain of the match: Few incidents to speak of. Danny Care's yellow card was harsh.
The scorers:
For England:
Tries: Sharples 2, Penalty, Monye, Johnson, Tuilagi 2
Con: Flood 4, Farrell
Pen: Flood 3
For Fiji:
Tries: Matawalu, Kalou Qaraniqio
Con: Matavesi
England: 15 Alex Goode, 14 Charlie Sharples, 13 Manu Tuilagi, 12 Brad Barritt, 11 Ugo Monye, 10 Toby Flood, 9 Danny Care, 8 Thomas Waldrom, 7 Chris Robshaw (c), 6 Tom Johnson, 5 Geoff Parling, 4 Tom Palmer, 3 Dan Cole, 2 Tom Youngs, 1 Joe Marler.
Replacements: 16 David Paice, 17 Mako Vunipola, 18 Joe Launchbury, 19 Tom Wood, 20 Ben Youngs, 21 Owen Farrell, 22 Mike Brown.
Fiji: 15 Simeli Koniferedi, 14 Samu Wara, 13 Vereniki Goneva, 12 Sireli Naqelevuki, 11 Watisoni Votu, 10 Metuisela Talebula, 9 Nicola Matawalu, 8 Akapusi Qera 7 Malaki Ravulo, 6 Api Naikatani, 5 Apisolame Ratuniyarawa, 4 Leone Nakawara, 3 Deacon Manu, 2 Viliame Veikoso, 1 Ratu Makutu.
Replacements: 16 Seremaia Naureure, 17 Setafano Samoca, 18 Manasa Saulo, 19 Sekonaia Kalou, 20 Iliesa Ratuva, 21 Kelemedi Bola, 22 Josh Matavesi, 23 Ravai Fatiaki.
Referee: Glen Jackson (New Zealand)
Assistant referees: Craig Joubert (South Africa),Marius Mitrea (Italy)
Television match official: Gareth Simmonds (Wales)
Comments
TVaddict says...
@tellitlikeitis
What you re describing is quite common for tier 2 nations. They try very hard, but as soon as the score looks like it's unattainable they stop trying as hard. Why get yourself injured over a game that doesn't matter? Though if they see a good try scoring opportunity then they'll go for it, it might get them a bigger pay check in France, but otherwise there's not much point.
Simple as mate, no conspiracy, no gambling scam, just nothing. Time to move on. Thank you, bye bye now.
Posted 13:36 13th November 2012
APV1 says...
@ BlackMoses - cheers! It takes a good man (I assume) to come back and reflect calmly. Good on ya! I too hope we continue to pass it out and run the ball. I mentioned on another thread that the tests are getting tougher each week from now on, so we need to improve each week to stay in with a chance.
@ tellitlikeitis - the comment about backhanders was an obvious tongue-in-cheek remark about the allegations made against French clubs, Racing Metro in particular. Your continued delusion is your own look out, but I don't agree that the game was thrown. The lack of support for your conspiricy theory might suggest that no-one else agrees with you either. Not even the Fijians!
Posted 11:20 13th November 2012
tellitlikeitis says...
@apv1 - what do you mean 'all of the fijians taking backhanders were in france?' What in the name of Jesus does that have to do with anything?
The 15 on the field at the weekend were NOT tackling, and let England get well ahead of the handicap before turning on the style, suddenly making passes stick, playing lovely lines, and plenty of support for a try. It was the most blatantly thrown game of any sport ive ever seen. Watch the incidents I mentioned in my previous posts.
Wake up.
Posted 01:35 13th November 2012
BlackMoses says...
@APV1 - Fair enough I admit I may have been a bit harsh in my earlier comments.
I actually liked the way England played with ball in hand - Seems they played the way teams like Fiji used to like to play. Great support play and offloads from the forwards. Some great tries scored by the backs.
Will be interesting to see if they continue to play this way in the remaining tests or resort to their usual forward-based approach.
So far the Northern Hemisphere teams have the upper hand it seems from the latest round (except for NZ, SA & Samoa) of tests.
Posted 23:42 12th November 2012
APV1 says...
@ TVaddict - fair points, especially regarding Goode at 10. I think 2015 10 might be Burns, with 12Trees at 12 - his defence is no issue and he has a better skill-set than Barritt. If BB could get a good boot and a crisper pass, he'd be nailed on for me. But for now he's just a little short, although improving.
I also agree with your 8 selection - it's just a shame SL doesn't, eh?
Lawes, Parling, Attwood, Launchbury... 2nd row depth isn't the issue. Although injury might be.
@ tellitlikeitis - rugby has it's share of scandal, so I'm not niave enough to think otherwise. But I just don't agree with you. And your theory sounds a bit far-fetched for me. After-all, all of the Fijians taking back-handers were playing in France..!
Posted 14:58 12th November 2012
tellitlikeitis says...
@APV1, its not conspiracy throry to hink outside the box. Are you telling me FIji were actually bothered here? My aim here is not to downgrade England's win, merely to express my observations. Fiji must have had money on this, because they threw the game - watch England's try just before half time, and watch Qera on 47 minutes. It was like they were trying to help England get over the handicap (-32).
THere have been scandals in every other sport other than Rugby, and you seem to think it can't happen because why...it's Rugby?! THey should have scored in the first ten minutes, and they had nbo problem scoring and playing lovely rugby at the end. They didnt bother tackling all game. It was a thrown game, deal with it. No tinfoil hats here.
Posted 13:53 12th November 2012
TVaddict says...
@APV1
Agree mostly. Monye must go and Waldrom must go. I think bring Morgan in for Australia and New Zealand, but Easter in for South Africa.
I definitely don't think Goode should be near the 10 shirt since he didn't perform well there at club level. I'd say he's currently first choice, but if Foden was back and fully fit he'd at least make the bench simply because he covers wing. I find Foden very underrated, he's got a great counter attacking game, good kicking game, he's the fastest of the three, plus he can cover wing and scrum half (he'd of done a better job than Goode when Care was sent off). He deserves his place in the squad and is one of the more experienced England players now.
Barritt has got a lot better and he gets the 12 shirt for me with Autumn simply because he is a rock in defence. Looking towards 2015 though Twelvetrees is the man, and I'd like to see him get some game time in the 6 nations.
Palmer was ordinary but I'd probably keep him in the setup because he has a great skill set and again is one of our more experienced players. I just wish Lawes was fit for a decent amount of time. Matt Garvey was great at the weekend and should be pushing for inclusion in the squad, he's big and fast and could become a great enforcer.
Posted 13:30 12th November 2012
APV1 says...
Monye's had enough chances now and he may well have done well as a Lion, but let's move on. Sharples and Ashton as starters, with Foden on the bench (Wade as injury back-up cover).
Waldrom just isn't doing it for me. Easter if we're going with form, or Morgan if we're going for the future.
Why not have Mr Angry at 15 and Goode at 10? With Farrell on the bench..? I though Flood was ok, but nothing special.
Barritt surprised me, but he's still missing the "flyhalf" skills of an all-round 12. Twelvetrees, anyone?
Palmer was a bit ordinary as well.
Over-all we played like muppets for the first 20 and then woke up. DC was unlucky with the yellow, but I thought the ref was the best I've seen for a long time. He seemed to be balanced and fair, didn't miss much and the howler wasn't his. Let's hope more players make the transition, as he's proved a revelation.
@ tellitlikeitis - you must live in a room covered with aluminium foil and sleep with a colander on your head to stop the government zapping your brain. Conspiracy Therories R Us, eh?
@ ArmchairGeneral - I got the Sunday Times yesterday, just to see what our chums Jones and Barnes would say. Jones' article really annoyed me, as usual and Barnes is still a prat (thank God for Clarkson, eh?). Brown should start at 15. He may not have the vision and kicking that Goode has, but he's a better full back. And until Foden proves me wrong, I now see him as 3rd choice or bench cover for wing & 15.
@ BlackMoses - can you read or do you just make stuff up? Most of us have been quite critical of our players / team. Let's have some examples of the arrogance, shall we? How about at least 3, to demonstrate that it's wide-spread, rather than just one or two, eh?
England played and beat the team in front of them. Yes, it should be expected for many reasons, but they went out and did it.
Stiffer tests to come, obviously.
Posted 10:53 12th November 2012
pierredelot1 says...
Well a good win but one that was certainly expected, but if it gives the players confidence for the matches ahead then thats great. But its certainly not a result to get carried away with. Australia will find it difficult simply because they just can't scrummage, so will be unable to give themselves a stable platform, but that will depend on the referee. Don't get carried away England there's a long road ahead and I'm still not convinced by the likes of Waldrom, saw him totally stuffed by Picamoles in the H Cup, looks like he's got Leicester stick it up your jumper abilities. Guys if you're going to discuss the technical aspects then as every ref will tell you. There are no rules in rugby only laws. Back to pedants corner for me then.
Posted 09:06 12th November 2012
Propmelsey says...
Pointless game .. obvious result from and England point of view ... expecting much the same next saturday ........
Posted 09:02 12th November 2012
sirtidychris says...
BlackMoses
Don't know what you've read on this board but every post on here is pretty well balanced saying there were some good things and some bad things with the real test to come in the coming weeks...i have a feeling you have a problem with the english more than the actual content of whats written here which is a shame and this comes across in your post making you look a little silly in my opinion.
Posted 08:41 12th November 2012
BlackMoses says...
Wow - the arrogance of some England fans here is unbelievable.
So you won a test match - against a makeshift Fiji team (yawn..)
Next you'll play tests against teams that have actually trained together for over 2 weeks with little or no disruptions - take the win and stop moaning about how many more tries were missed, TMO, etc, etc
Posted 03:43 12th November 2012
latehit says...
An average performance in most ways. The defense on the line was excellent but the inability to control the ball at the scrum was shocking. It seemed that the players were not playing what was in front of them as there were far to many holes in the Fiji defensive line not to run in more tries.
Having said this, Cleckheaton 2nds would have a shot at the Wallabies at the moment. I just hope that England can step up this week and dominate, not get complacent against a team that should be put to the sword.
Posted 01:24 12th November 2012
jamesliveinhope says...
@trelawney I believe the law relating to this is Law 10.4 (j) - not sure where your interpretation comes from but it specifically says "Lifting a player from the ground and dropping or driving that player into the ground whilst that player's feet are still off the ground such that the player's head and/or upper body come into contact with the ground is dangerous play". Not sure where the "lifting legs above horizontal" came from but will happily be corrected if there's some IRB clarification that I don't know about.
What I saw (and I was at Twickenham so only saw a single replay on the big screen) was the tackled player TRYING to go to ground with Care left holding a pair of legs that were no longer carrying any weight - it didn't look deliberate and certainly didn't look dangerous BUT Jonkers was on the spot and called it in real time, no harm done. A citing would be a disgrace.
On the flipside, when Care went off for his rest, England looked significantly more dynamic going forward and Lancaster could well look at how they play on the attack. Not a criticism of Care but an observation of the way that teams operate through phase play without a designated scrum-half - New Zealand do it very well with player 1 and 2 securing ruck ball and player 3 playing scrum half. If the team is skilled enough it generates much quicker ruck ball and keeps up attacking momentum (and coincidentally is the way we teach kids). Obviously you need a specifically skilled man at the set piece and in defence but the factor of not having to wait for the scrum-half or reverting to pick and drive to free him up pays huge dividends on the pitch.
My feeling of the England performance was that you can only beat the team in front of you and, once they hit their straps, they did so fairly efficiently. Goode my MoM too, Tuilagi needs to improve his distribution if he wants to be a true great.
Posted 21:01 11th November 2012
ArmchairGeneral says...
@Trelleway: no he didn't. One leg remained on the ground. Admittedly only because an England tackler held it there. But you stated the rule: he did not break it unless lifting one leg above the horizontal is an offence; I think not.
Posted 13:48 11th November 2012
Trader2 says...
@cuw3100
Are you nuts or just write something on here to be noticed. Cliff Palu was born in Sydney (thats in Australia by the way) and is of Tongan descent, a Fijian he is not you plonker. Do some research or perhaps you are just a little un, in that case finish your O levels before you come back on here.
Posted 12:56 11th November 2012
ArmchairGeneral says...
Oh dear. As predicted Goode would get praise and get chosen for the serious games and we will lose. Depressed to see even s. jones in the Times praise Goode as well as Barnes say it was Lancesters smartest decision. The fact is he chose the wrong fly half and so had to choose the wrong 15 as well. With Burns at 10 and Brown or Foden at 15 you have a team to move forward with. A game maker where he is best placed at 10 and fullback who can handle what is comming from a real international challenge next week. Goode in the bench with Flood. Lost chance to test out Burns will set us back a year or at least lose the Autumn as a chance to develop. Very sad that they chose a quick fix to Flood which won't last the Autumn instead of dealing with our need to develop a10 in Burns and possibly later Ford or Cipi. Easter was missed very much.
Posted 12:22 11th November 2012
TVaddict says...
@Warrior7
True, but he's allowed to as long as it's in the direction of the ball right? As in he's allowed to try and get the ball regardless of whether or not he gets in people way.
@cuw3100
Already corrected myself on that slow coach!
@trelawney
Law 10.4(j) will now read: Lifting a player from the ground and dropping or driving that player into the ground whilst that player¿s feet are still off the ground such that the player¿s head and/or upper body come into contact with the ground is dangerous play.
Well now I've 'read the rules' I'd have to see the video to be sure, but I'm almost more sure it wasn't a spear tackle. I believe only one of his legs goes above the horizontal, I think that is the case as I remember another England player on the ground still holding onto the guys foot. Also he doesn't drop or drive but simply brings him down. Plus there's the fact that he more lands on his side than his upper body. So really all three parts of the definition didn't add up, but if someone can find me a replay that shows I'm wrong I'll concede the matter. Surely you can admit it was at least a 50-50 call.
Posted 11:40 11th November 2012
Heathy says...
Well, I'm glad that we managed to put some points on the board here as if we didn't there would be questions. Fiji huffed and puffed but ran out of steam as predicted. I wasn't too impressed with our start as it was far too loose but we settled down eventually. Not a great deal to say other than I also thought Tom Youngs had a good game as did Danny Care (unfortunate with the yellow as I thought penalty at best but you run the risk if you lift a player). The rest of the debutants looked comfortable too but stiffer tests are around the corner.
Posted 10:57 11th November 2012
lawynd says...
@Warrior7 - whilst you may have a point about Goode's running line, that's a penalty offence, not a penalty try offence and doesn't excuse the tug back on the jersey that made him miss the tackle. Some referees, had they seen it (I'm not blaming Jackson for missing it, mind) might have been inclined to reverse the penalty in England's favour as a result. Either way, it was immaterial and I thought Fiji deserved the points for the effort and skill (I also thought Sharples deserved for *THAT* ball to stay in play!), and that England didn't nil them means Lancaster can hammer into them a warning about complacency.
Posted 09:38 11th November 2012