England v Fiji
By the purest of flukes the first day of competition saw the red-hot favourites drawn against the rank outsiders.
Normally, when top (ranked 1) meets bottom (ranked 21), you steel yourself for one-way traffic. It did come, but only after Fijiana showed how much they deserved to be appearing at this level. They brought their traditional brand of speed, dexterity and unpredictability to the game.
Riding on a wave of emotion they had the Red Roses hanging on for dear life at the start. They harried them into errors, Leanne Infante failing to find Zoe Harrison for once, and two relieving kicks were charged down. England found themselves having to make tackle after tackle.
Once the initial storm subsided, they got the show on the road. A drive to the line saw Claudia MacDonald take a sharp pass from Infante to go over unmarked on the left; the second time they have produced this trick. After another drive was held up, Zoe Aldcroft forced her way over to double the score.
A third try cost the Fijiana skipper, Sereima Leweniqila, a yellow card. This time Emily Scarratt managed the conversion (17-0)
But this misfortune stirred Fiji to greater efforts. A long England kick resulted in a dazzling counter and a first RWC try for the newcomers by Alowesi Nakoci. The crowd cheered warmly. (17-7)
England countered with an outstanding move. Deft handling let Alex Matthews feed Sadia Kabeya who made a huge break. As she was hauled down close to the line, she off-loaded a bootlace- high pass to Helena Rowland, who accepted it to go over. (24-7)
Fiji responded with more wonderful handling, off-loads competing with cut-out passes for attention. Sesenieli Donu sold a rich dummy and beat three defenders to the line.
A measure of the trouble Fijiana were giving the top-rankers: Aldcroft made fifteen tackles in forty minutes.
At the break: 24-14
But as other nations have discovered to their cost, a half-time margin of 10 points does not mean a job half completed against this current England side. Tries now rained in so fast that the Red Roses broke two of their World Cup records: for tries (14) and for total (previously 82-0 v Kazakhstan (2010).
To no-one’s surprise the Fijians ran out of breath, leaking a further ten tries. None was received with greater warmth than Abby Dow’s stormer down the right wing. After her serious leg-break in the Six Nations, this was a proper reward for guts and resilience.
Macdonald collected a further three tries (another rich reward). The remaining try-scorers were Connie Powell, Amy Cokayne (2), Leanne Infante, Abbie Ward and Lydia Thompson (2), After their demolition of the Eagles at Sixways last November this was their second 60-point half in a year.
The management will be less than delighted with the final action of the match. The Fijians covered themselves in glory as scrum-half Lavena Cavuru – who had a fine game throughout – scored a third try with the clock showing red. Just one more try and they would have gained a coveted bonus point.
And the question of the best English place-kicker must be aired; Scarratt completed only half of her attempted conversions. In tighter games this becomes a central issue.
Result: England 84 Fiji 19
Player of the Match: Sadia Kabeya
Teams
England:
15. Ellie Kildunne (Harlequins, 25 caps), 14. Lydia Thompson (University of Worcester Warriors, 54 caps), 13. Emily Scarratt (Loughborough Lightning, 103 caps), 12. Helena Rowland (Loughborough Lightning, 17 caps), 11. Claudia MacDonald (Exeter Chiefs, 20 caps), 10. Zoe Harrison (Saracens, 40 caps), 9. Leanne Infante (Saracens, 52 caps), 1. Vickii Cornborough (Harlequins, 70 caps), 2. Amy Cokayne (Harlequins, 64 caps), 3. Sarah Bern (Bristol Bears, 46 caps), 4. Zoe Aldcroft (Gloucester-Hartpury, 32 caps), 5. Abbie Ward (Bristol Bears, 56 caps), 6. Alex Matthews (Gloucester-Hartpury, 51 caps), 7. Sadia Kabeya (Loughborough Lightning, 4 caps), 8. Sarah Hunter (captain, Loughborough Lightning, 135 caps)
Bench:
16. Connie Powell (Gloucester-Hartpury, 5 caps), 17. Hannah Botterman (Saracens, 30 caps), 18. Maud Muir (Gloucester-Hartpury, 11 caps), 19. Cath O’Donnell (Loughborough Lightning, 20 caps), 20. Poppy Cleall (Saracens, 57 caps), 21. Lucy Packer (Harlequins, 5 caps), 22. Holly Aitchison (Saracens, 10 caps), 23. Abby Dow (Wasps, 24 caps)
Fiji
1. Iris Verebalavu, 2. Vika Maturugu, 3. Siteri Rasolea*, 4. Asinate Serevi, 5. Sereima Leweniqila (captain), 6. Sulita Waisega, 7. Ema Adivitaloga, 8. Karalaini Naisewa, 9. Lavena Cavuru, 10. Merewalesi Rokouono, 11. Vitalina Naikore, 12. Sesenieli Donu, 13. Rajieli Laqeretabua, 14. Alowesi Nakoci, 15. Roela Radiniyavuni
Bench:
16. Bitila Tawake, 17. Bulou Vasuturaga, 18. Mereoni Vonosere, 19. Merevesi Ofakimalino, 20.
Raijieli Daveua, 21. Akosita Ravato, 22. Ana Maria Roqica, 23. Melaia Matanatabu
Officials:
Referee: Aurélie Groizeleau (FFR)
Assistant Referee 1: Lauren Jenner (NZR) Assistant Referee 2: Maria Beatrice Benvenuti (FIR)
TMO: Chris Assmus (RC)
