Uninspiring

England fails to sparkle against Fiji

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Posted: Thursday October 21, 1999 12:33 AM

England's Dan Luger and Nick Beal (left), celebrate Luger's try against Fiji Wednesday. AP

TWICKENHAM, England (CNN/SI) -- Much as expected England defeated Fiji on Wednesday in the second round of the Rugby World Cup and will advance to face defending champion South Africa in the quarterfinals in Paris on Sunday.

England's performance was anything but scintillating, and failed to evidence they type of inspiring rugby that made it at least look like possible contenders for the trophy. Fiji, on the other hand playing enterprising and attacking rugby despite the cold, blustery conditions.

The brightest part of England's game when winger Dan Luger took a leaf out of New Zealander Jonah Lomu's book, when he ran through three tackles by Fijian players before crossing the line.

In a game that could have quite easily gone the other way, the turning point proved to be when Fiji fluffed opportunities on two occasions, dropping the ball shy of England's tryline twice.

Wingers Luger and Nick Beal, back row Neil Back and hooker Phil Greening all crossed the Fijian line at Twickenham to take England's total in four matches to 26.

Flyhalf Jonny Wilkinson kicked seven penalties and a conversion for 23 points while the Fijians replied with tries by centers Viliame Satala and Meli Nakauta and winger Imanueli Tikomaimakogai.

England coach Clive Woodward said: "I don't think South Africa will be quaking in their boots after today. It's a game we could have lost, so I'm pleased to have won.

"I couldn't quite believe we were 21-3 up at half-time," he added.

There was also a blunt warning from Fiji coach Brad Johnstone who said the English were too predictable going forward, and careless at the back.

"They'll have to play a lot better than today to beat South Africa, take the opportunities presented to them and create more breaks and moves," Johnstone said.

"We showed at times today that if you run the ball at England they're vulnerable."

Wilkinson and Fijian flyhalf Waisale Serevi swapped early penalties before two more kicks by the English No. 10 opened up a 9-3 lead by the 13th minute.

Then came the first try of the game and it was one All Blacks' winger Jonah Lomu would have been proud of.

On the same Twickenham turf where the giant New Zealander fended off four English tackles in the All Blacks' 30-16 triumph 11 days ago, Luger took a pass from Back after Wilkinson had done well to maintain possession in midfield.

The winger shrugged off three Fijian tackles down the left wing before crossing the line and Wilkinson's conversion stretched the lead to 16-3.

The Fijians hit back with some brilliant passing and adventurous play. Ifereimi Tawake was held just short of the line after receiving the ball from a lineout and outwitting the English by charging down the near side.

A counter-attack from the Fijians' own 22 almost brought a score at the opposite end but Beal's tackle held them up just short of the posts. The English winger was shown the yellow card for deliberately hanging on to the tackled player in the resulting ruck so that the Fijians couldn't recycle the ball.

With the English pinned back, the Fijians opened up two more moves but let themselves down with their handling. Both wingers, Marika Vunibaka and Tikomaimakogai, dropped the ball just as they were about to cross the line.

The Fijians paid for their errors when Wilkinson kicked into the corner two minutes before half time and Back caught the ball to cross the line despite a tackle from Vunibaka. Although Wilkinson missed a difficult angled conversion, England went into half time 21-3 ahead, but with Phil de Glanville on the field instead of the injured Luger.

England resumed with Matt Dawson back in the team at scrum half and his halfback partner Wilkinson kicked penalties from 48 and 30 meters to add six more points to the lead in the first nine minutes of the second half.

But the Fijians hit back again and were rewarded with a well-worked try by Viliame Satala in the 51st minute after some persistent attacking through the middle.

Although the English managed to get in tackles on Lawrence Little and Inoke Male, Satala found space to charge through the middle for the score and replacement kicker Little converted for 27-10.

Wilkinson landed another penalty from 25 meters to increase the lead to 20 points and then came Beal's try to stretch the advantage to 35-10.

After Dallaglio's run was halted on the left, England recycled it right and two long passes by De Glanville and fullback Matt Perry found Beal wide on the right and he crossed in the corner.

A blunder by Mike Catt, who dropped a Fijian kick forward, handed an easy breakaway try by Tikomaimakogai and Little's conversion made it 35-17 but Wilkinson's seventh penalty increased the lead to 21 points with 15 minutes to go.

Then hooker Greening went over for England's fourth try when he took a short pass from Wilkinson in front of the posts. Sadly for Wilkinson, he was hit by a late, high tackle after releasing the ball and he went off in groggy state to be replaced by Paul Grayson as England led 45-17.

Nakauta added the final try of the match when he took a short pass from fullback Alfred Uluinayau to charge 30 meters for the score. Little's conversion made it 45-24.

Woodward said his team, which leaves early Thursday for Paris, will require a few training sessions before Sunday's match at the Stade de France -- especially his defense.

"Our defense just wasn't at the races today to be honest and there were gaps everywhere," he said. "Sometimes the Fijians exploited them, but sometimes they didn't."

"We're a bit battered and bruised to be frank, but hopefully we'll be alright for Sunday."

He said Luger, Wilkinson, Austin Healey and Perry should all shrug off their injuries by the weekend, although they'll undergo tests Thursday. Center Jeremy Guscott is already highly doubtful with a groin injury.

England

Fiji

Referee: Clayton Thomas, Wales.

 

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The Associated Press contributed to this report.