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England vs Fiji: 4 memorable encounters ahead of World Cup quarter-final
By PA
England and Fiji will meet for only the ninth time when they clash in Sunday’s World Cup quarter-final at Stade Velodrome.
Here, the PA news agency recalls four memorable encounters between the rivals.
2023 – Twickenham: England 22 Fiji 30
England endured one of the darkest days in their history when they lost to Fiji for the first time ever in what was also their first defeat to a current tier two nation. The Islanders fully deserved their historic moment, playing smart and entertaining rugby.
2015 – Twickenham: England 35 Fiji 11
It took the determination of full-back Mike Brown, who ran in two tries, to end Fiji’s uprising before England pulled away in the final quarter. A nervy start to the home World Cup was a signpost of the calamity to come for Stuart Lancaster’s side.
1999 – Twickenham: England 45 Fiji 24
Fiji were only outscored 4-3 on the try count with the boot of Jonny Wilkinson doing most of the damage in the form of a 23-point haul. England rested some of their bigger names for this World Cup play-off and were made to work for their win.
1991 – Suva: Fiji 12 England 28
England’s second of just two visits to the Fijian capital almost finished in disaster. Will Carling was at the helm as the Red Rose entered the final quarter, deadlocked at 12-12 before rallying through tries by Rory Underwood and Rob Andrew.
England have named their team for the 2023 quarter-final:
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It first seemed to crop up in NZ, when England had the winning of both games...
Go to commentsNew coach means setting the clock backwards, wrt the rebuild. Coaches need time to develop the squad, the culture, the playing structures, etc, and while a new coach can benefit from foundations built by someone else, there are always big enough realignments to delay results by a season or more.
Gatland is a highly accomplished coach, and I believe he knows what he is doing. IMV this is one of those darkest before the dawn moments, and I would give him another year to start showing results.
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