England Snatch Bonus Point at the Death vs Fiji

A last gasp try from Billy Vunipola saw England sneak home with a bonus point victory against Fiji to begin the World Cup campaign with a bonus point victory. England can now breath more easily after starting so nervously as they prepare for next weekend’s tough assignment against Wales also at Twickenham Stadium.

The home of English rugby is to play host to all but one of England’s pool matches and should England get out of the pool of death then all of England’s remaining matches will all take place at Twickenham. The local support could prove essential in helping the team perform better. A failure to improve could very well see the catestrophic scenario of England knocked-out before facing Uruguay.

Today’s 25-11 result against Fiji was far from convincing as a slow forward pack struggled to get players to the tackle area throughout. With both Australia and Wales set to field two fetchers in their starting lineups the writing may indeed be on the wall for England who continue to refuse to select their leading fetcher, Steffon Armitage due to him playing his rugby for Toulon.

Captain Chris Robshaw produced a severely underwhelming performance against the Fijians with Tom Wood also unable to assert himself while Ben Morgan showed signs of improvement but nonetheless clearly continues to be short of game time after overcoming a serious long-term injury.

Fiji’s back-row trio of Sakiusa Masi Matadigo, Dominiko Waqaniburotu and captain Akapusi Qera competed throughout with Clermont’s  Peceli Yato also adding velocity in getting the the breakdown from the bench. His ultimate contribution, though, could well be remembered as giving away a needless penalty in the 68th minute.

When replacement fly half Owen Farrell lined up the attempt his team was just seven points ahead. Fiji, in other words, was set to obtain a bonus point by losing by seven or less by England was to miss out on the potentially vital fifth point. Only time will tell as to the importance of England’s late try.

The game began sloppily with basic handling errors from both teams in the opening minutes. The occasion appeared to be getting the better of the players with the 130Kg winger Nemani Nadolo having been in tears during the anthem. His teammate, Ben Volavola failed to gather a simple kick into his own half which subsequently resulted in a scrum which England won a penalty from to open the scoring.

The 3-0 scoreline became 10-0 in the 12th minute when England scored the opening try of the World Cup. Awarded by referee Jaco Peyper as a penalty try the score came from a rolling maul which Fiji had been deemed to have collapsed. It was, however, not so straight forward as replays suggested England’s forwards were not bound correctly.

The incident was one of many involving the TMO in what was a stop-start game of rugby. Nine minutes later England scored for the second time with fullback Mike Brown going over for a gift of a try after Fiji failed to control their own lineout. Morgan’s steal saw the ball passed wide to Brown with the only let-off for Fiji being that Ford’s conversions attempt was off target.

Back from a yellow card scrumhalf Nikola Matawalu crossed for the try of the game only for it to be called back. It mattered not as Nadolo crossed shortly thereafter only for Peyper not to refer the try to the TMO and replays to show it should not have been awarded. Naholo had touched down after out jumping Anthony Watson from a cross kick. Ford and Nadolo then exchanged penalties to complete the scoring in the opening half.

England’s 18-8 half time lead would remain until into the final quarter as both teams continued to lose control of possession and the referee’s decisions influenced the flow of the game. Fiji, though, could have been within three points had they been more accurate with their goalkicking.

In the 64th Volavola finally added the opening points of the second half with a straight forward penalty after Nadolo had missed minutes earlier. Farrell, on for Ford, cancelled it out to make it 21-11 before Brown crossed for his second try after linking with Farrell who offloaded in a tackle.

With time up on the clock but Peyper allowing the game to continue replacement back-rower Billy Vunipola just managed to touch down for a 84th minute try which saw England home with a bonus point. Farrell’s successful conversion was the final act of the match.

Scorers:
England
Tries: Penalty Try, Brown (2)
Conversions: Ford, Farrell (2)
Penalties: Ford (2), Farrell

Fiji
Try: Nadolo
Penalties: Nadolo, Volavola

England
15 Mike Brown, 14 Anthony Watson, 13 Jonathan Joseph, 12 Brad Barritt, 11 Jonny May, 10 George Ford, 9 Ben Youngs, 8 Ben Morgan, 7 Chris Robshaw (Captain), 6 Tom Wood, 5 Geoff Parling, 4 Courtney Lawes, 3 Dan Cole, 2 Tom Youngs, 1 Joe Marler

Replacements: 16 Rob Webber, 17 Mako Vunipola, 18 Kieran Brookes, 19 Joe Launchbury, 20 Billy Vunipola, 21 Richard Wigglesworth, 22 Owen Farrell, 23 Sam Burgess

Fiji
15 Metuisela Talebula, 14 Waisea Nayacalevu, 13 Vereniki Goneva, 12 Gabiriele Lovobalavu, 11 Nemani Nadolo, 10 Ben Volavola, 9 Nikola Matawalu, 8 Sakiusa Masi Matadigo, 7 Akapusi Qera (Captain), 6 Dominiko Waqaniburotu, 5 Leone Nakarawa, 4 Apisalome Ratuniyarawa, 3 Manasa Saulo, 2 Sunia Koto, 1 Campese Ma’afu

16 Tuapati Talemaitoga, 17 Peni Ravai, 18 Isei Colati, 19 Tevita Cavubati, 20 Peceli Yato, 21 Nemia Kenatale, 22 Joshua Matavesi, 23 Aseli Tikoirotuma