England vs Fiji Key Moments
- 2008
Fiji out scored England by 3 tries too 2, however it was not enough to beat the 2019 Rugby World Cup Finalists who displayed great game management and overall execution to advance to the semi finals and await the winner of France vs South Africa. Here are some of the key moments:
12' England win penalty from the restart
They execute their set piece and get momentum with Manu Tuilagi coming around the corner at pace to power over the Fijian try line
England 8-0
23’ Habosi yellow card
Habosi made a cover tackle to an advancing Marcus Smith making direct head contact with significant force resulting in a yellow card. England score a few phases later after good interplay between Ben Earl and Joe Marchant
England 15 - 3 Fiji
27' Botitu and Tuivosa magic
Botitu shows and goes offloading in contact to Tuisova who makes a line break to get inside England 22m. After a scrappy pass, Villiame Mata gets the ball and dummies against the run of play to score under the poles
England 15 - 10 Fiji
66' Semi Radradra shifts momentum with a line break off restart
Semi Radradra collects it off the restart and bursts through tackles to make line break up till the halfway. Fiji get a penalty and kick for points with Lomani's kick hitting the poles and Fiji collect on the rebound. After a lengthly period of possession, Fiji make another line break and pass to Vilimoni Botitu to level the game
England 24 - 24 Fiji
71' Lawes pick up of low pass 7m out, Farrell nails drop goal to retain the lead
Courtney Lawes played a crucial role in retaining possession for a England with good skills to catch a low pass. Their forwards kept working around the corner and Farrell eventually slotted a perfect drop goal to put England back into the lead
England 27 - 24 Fiji
76' Ben Earl intercept and line break
Fiji were attacking with momentum on Englands halfway line when Ben Earl intercepts a loose offload, shows great footwork and pace to get to into the Fijian 22m. England then get a penalty and Farrell extends the lead
England 30 - 24 Fiji
85' Courtney Lawes turnover penality
After 6 minutes of play over time, Lawes makes up for an earlier knock on off the restart to give Fiji their chance to attack with a world class steal to send England to the semi finals
Full Time: England 30 - Fiji 24
