In a remarkable display, Henry Pollock scored a hat-trick of tries as England overwhelmed Fiji with an 11-try triumph in the Nations Championship, marking their first Test victory since February. From the outset, England capitalized on Fiji’s lack of discipline and defensive lapses, establishing a commanding lead. The situation for Fiji deteriorated further just before halftime when scrum-half Simione Kuruvoli was dismissed for foul play, forcing Fiji to continue with only 14 players.
Pollock’s performance was pivotal, showcasing his attacking prowess, while debutants Benhard van Rensburg and Noah Caluori each celebrated their first appearances for England with tries. Guy Pepper also enjoyed his first international try during a match that saw England repeatedly breach Fiji’s defenses in a one-sided affair.
England’s attack was orchestrated effectively by Marcus Smith and Fin Smith, whose collaboration proved fruitful as they consistently broke through Fiji’s lines. The English forwards dominated set pieces and mauls, stifling any opportunity for Fiji to build momentum or mount a significant challenge.
Despite the lopsided scoreline, England faced minimal resistance from a Fiji team plagued by handling errors, penalties, and poor discipline throughout the contest. The emphatic win delivers a much-needed boost for head coach Steve Borthwick as England prepares for their upcoming tour of Argentina, where they are expected to encounter stiffer opposition.