Rob Kitson’s report has just dropped. Phew, that was a cracking game. How good is the World Cup? How good is rugby? How good is this England team? We’ll find out next week.
It’s France or South Africa. Either will present a much tougher challenge than the spirited Fijians. But that’s a thought for another day. Tonight is for celebrating and commiserating.
Thanks for joining me.
Updated
Worth taking another look at Ben Earl’s rampage.
If it was up to me I’d have given him the player of the match gong. He made 130 metres from 11 carries and made 14 tackles.
Ben Earl is THAT guy! 😮💨#ENGvFIJ | #RWC2023pic.twitter.com/I1JEAgeS8S
— England Rugby (@EnglandRugby) October 15, 2023
Surely not…
'I'm Still Standing' belting out in Marseille. As are England. They can't, can they?
— Robert Kitson (@robkitson) October 15, 2023
And now it’s Steve Borthwick’s time to speak:
Immense credit to the players. I’d like to say, what a performance by Fiji. Not just tonight but over the tournament. Well coached and jam-packed with world class talent.
I think for large parts of the game we controlled it. Fiji scored back-to-back tries, which they can do better than anyone else in the world. We needed to find a way to put points on the scoreboard and that’s what we did.
We’ll watch [South Africa v France] with interest. This team was written off. We had no chance of getting out of the pool. Now we have a chance in a semi-final in Paris. And I’m sure we’ll be written off again. But these players rise to the occasion.
The pitch-side chats keep coming. It’s time to hear from Fiji’s coach, Simon Raiwalui:
I’m a bit speechless at the moment but couldn’t be prouder of the boys. We’ve worked so hard. We showed where we belong on the world stage. The whole team, the staff, yeah, it’s a bit of emotional at the moment.
This is a different Fiji team and it’s the start of something special. I couldn’t be prouder of the group.
This World Cup has been unbelievable for the support of the game, the global game, not just the top tier. It just shows the game is in a healthy state and we need to capitalise on that moving forward.
Farrell again:
I thought especially in the first half it was a controlled performance. But there is plenty we can do better. But you see the power of the Fijian team. They were a man down but it was a tough, tough battle.
People talk about the changes, about people being in the starting team. It’s just a role change. Everyone from one to 33 has a massive role to play and that will continue.
This stadium is an awesome place to play and this crowd has been behind us.
Nayacalevu was fuming after the game. That final call from Raynal wasn’t well received. And when the ref tried to explain himself, Fiji’s skipper wouldn’t hear it.
Fijian Captain didn't want to hear Raynal's explanation after yet another sealing off penalty decision, ending the game.#ENGvIRE
— Sardieq (@SardieqWP) October 15, 2023
They've been criticised, quite fairly in many cases, but England will be thrilled to have made the quarters. They've had to wear the Millwall motto, 'No one likes us, and we don't care', this tournament but they're off to Paris. A long overdue positive day for English rugby. pic.twitter.com/NW5ZluQFgc
— Owain Jones (@OwainJTJones) October 15, 2023
Now for Fiji’s heroic skipper, Waisea Nayacalevu:
I’m not a perfect man. But I try to be. I want to say that I’m proud of the team effort. We know we fell short. The team, the coaching staff, the management, what a proud moment for us to be here. I want to thank our supporters. Here in the stands and back home. It’s not easy for us. We keep fighting, fighting to the end. I want to thank you for supporting us, for guiding us and praying for us.
I told the boys to keep to our basics. To keep the ball and we;’d get an opportunity at the end. Unfortunately a few calls didn’t go our way but that’s rugby. We’ve been together a long time. There are a lot of emotions. I’m so proud of this team.
Here’s the player of the match, Owen Farrell:
They’re a tough, tough team who can turn it on the blink of an eye. I thought we started the game really well. We always knew Fiji would have some good patches and they certainly did. To get through the semi-finals is a big step forward. We know we’ve got plenty of work to do.
[Thoughts about the drop goal]. Just to get points. The forwards did great work for us. I just wanted to get it over.
It wasn’t pretty, but they won’t care. England are through the semi-finals of a World Cup!
Full-time! England 30-24 Fiji
England have won it! Lawes gets down and wins the turnover penalty! England’s defence wins it! Fiji can’t believe it. But England have won and on balance they deserve it.
Updated
80+6 mins: It’s not a good kick from the penalty. Still, Fiji win the line-out and launch an attack. England swarm on defence and go searching for the ball..
80+5 mins: Farrell is claiming that it was a tackle but no chance. It’s 100% a deliberate knock-on. But only a penalty. No card. Fiji kick over the half-way line and will get a line-out.
Yes, I think that’ll be ruled a deliberate knock-on. Both teams hold their breath. It’s that man Farrell.
80+3 mins: Still Fiji have it, but they’re now back in their own half. Outstanding defence from England after 15 phases. The ball is spilled but is it off an England hand? They’ll ask the TMO.
80+2 mins: They have it still. Derenalagi into the maw. Botia out the back. Radradra can;t find space. England have shoved them back almost to the halfway line.
80+1 mins: Out the back it goes. Short passes. Punching holes but being repelled around the fringe. Five phases. Six. Nayacalevu carries. Now they go wide to the left.
80 mins: It goes down again and Fiji have the feed again. This is tense!
79 mins: Correction. About 25 metres out. Fiji ball. Space on the blind. It wheels. It goes down. Oooh. Fiji will have it again.
79 mins: Knock-on England. Scrum to Fiji 35 metres out. Do or die now.
Penalty! England 30-24 Fiji (Farrell, 78)
Fiji need a converted try to win this after the veteran 10 slots the penalty.
76 mins: Fiji off the top of the line-out and down the line. England have it. How do Fiji keep losing it?! Early with a monstrous carry. He keeps going. 10m. 20m. 30m! England have a penalty as Fiji swarm back and Farrell will have an easy kick. That all came from a reckless off-load in the tackle from Fiji. But credit to Earl. He is having a stonking tournament.
75 mins: It’s not clean but Care, on the pitch for Mitchell, boxes and gets it out of touch.
74 mins: The scrum wheels and collapses. I thought Fiji did enough to win the penalty but it’ll be re-set.
73 mins: England steal a line-out inside their own 22. Another sacked maul. Why do Fiji keep running that play? It’s Lawes being a nuisance. What a massive moment. England with the scrum.
Drop-goal! England 27-24 Fiji (Farrell, 72)
Cometh the hour… What is it with England 10s and clutch drops? With nothing on, Farrell drops into the pocket and drops a goal.
Updated
70 mins: Into the final 10 minute and Lawes carries well and then Earl makes about 10 metres. Tuilagi goes alone when feeding May might have been wiser. Fiji back on their own line. England can sniff the whitewash. Smith has space but is snaffled just as he was finding space. Itoje charges..
TRY! England 24-24 Fiji (Botitu, 69)
Game on! A dream off-load from radradra after an immense charge into contact frees up Nasilasila who then feeds Botitu running a superb support line. He brushes himself off and slots the conversion to tie the game. They were 14 points adrift a moment ago. Now they’re all square.
Updated
67 mins: Oh Kuruvoli misses a penalty (just after my screen froze and clicked back on). But it hits the post so Fiji have the ball and are attacking inside England’s 22. Can they do it?
TRY! England 24-17 Fiji (Ravai, 65)
YES! They’re over! A team try. Monster runs from Nayacelevu and Radradra from midfield punched holes until it opened up for the veteran prop. He bulldozed over from short range and with Kuruvoli converting, it’s a seven point game.
Updated
64 mins: A busting charge from Fiji’s captain Nayacalevu gets the crowd going. Radradra has it as well and soon Fiji have the advantage. Both aforementioned men are involved and is this a chance?
62 mins: Now England cough up a soft penalty. The new man Sinkler gets himself in the wrong position after an attacking line-out. So Fiji hoof it up and will throw-in themselves. They need to score right now.
62 mins: All England now as Marler comes on and immediately wins a scrum penalty. They’re getting the basics right and coming out on top.
61 mins: Oh Fiji. You’re not going to turn this around like that. They’re too frenetic and impatient. Rather than build slowly they try to keep it moving fast and there’s a knock-on at the back of a ruck around the 22 line. So disappointing. Not if you’re English, mind.
60 mins: It’ll be a Fiji penalty. Curry is pinged for being on the wrong side. He’s cleared out by Botia but doesn’t like the treatment and the two warriors square off. Botia shaped to throw a punch but realised he’d be better off with a shove. They eventually make peace and Fiji get it going with a line-out just outside England’s 22.
60 mins: Farrell misses the penalty and Nayacalevu rampages up field as he holds the ball with one hand. Oh, they’re scrapping! Was that a punch from a Fijian?
58 mins: Ah that’s so unlucky. Fiji give away a penalty for obstruction. It came off the back of some slick play with Radradra heavily involved down the line. A hopeful ball down the line disrupted everyone’s running lines and that took May out before he could make the tackle. It was accidental, but I think it was the right call. Farrell calls for the kicking tee.
57 mins: Swing Low rings out. The English fans can sense a victory. Smith does well in the back field and keeps possession for England under pressure. Mitchell launches another box with boots touching his own 22. Fiji are being kept at arm’s length.
55 mins: Fiji once again can’t keep hold of the ball. England come away with it as Mitchell sends it down the line where it finds its way to May. Farrell hoists a high kick. This is reminding me of Leicester under Borthwick and that is a brand of rugby that wins matches. Fiji are crashing against immovable white rocks. Fiji will get things underway again with a line-out in their own half. England sack the maul so Fiji must find another way.
Penalty! England 24-10 Fiji (Farrell, 54)
Fiji stray offside in their own 22. Ah man, this getting messy real quick. They just can’t match England’s accuracy. Smith was hammered in the tackle but only because the flying Fijian was too quick off the line. Rather than go to the corner, Farrell extends the lead to 14.
Updated
52 mins: Itoje steals the ball from a Fijian maul. The Earl scoops a low ball to keep it alive. Genge steps and rumbles over the gainline. England’s big names are coming to the party. Fiji get it back but England will have the line-out inside Fiji’s 22 after May’s clean tackle bundled out Droasese into touch.
50 mins: Great work from the scrum for Fiji as they launch an attack through midfield with a big carry from their skipper, Nayacalevu. But they spill it. England’s defence just about holds. Genge then rumbles up with a strong carry of his own and that provides the space to clear to half-way. This one’s quickly morphing into attack versus defence with the defenders winning.
48 mins: Smith launches a kick straight out inside his own half so Fiji can set an attack from a line-out. Radradra is in space on the left wing. They’re through England’s rush defence after a swift ball from Magala on the wraparound. A pop pass from the ground keeps it alive and they’ll keep the ball with a scrum feed after an England knock-on.
47 mins: That’s an ugly, scrambled kick from Fiji in their own half. England back on their ball. A good pass from Farrell finds Daly in the tram. Phew, he plays that ball well. Farrell then sends a high kick and tests Radradra. The Fijian wing does well under pressure and the men in black and red can set themselves inside their own half on the left. They need to get back the other way, stat!
45 mins: Fiji come away with the ball! Fantastic maul defence. The maul fractures and the ball carrier is wrapped up. Farrell loses his cool and screams at the referee. The free-kick is turned into a penalty. Might be a turning point for Fiji after that psychological win.
44 mins: Radradra fields a high ball and is tackled by Farrell. A bit of kick tennis follows and Radradra has to clean up again. More kick tennis and England finally emerge with it. They’re building down the blind so Botia feels compelled to pinch the ball. He overcommits and gives away a penalty. Its in Farrell’s range but he chooses to kick into touch. England will maul this up.
42 mins: Fiji have the line-out and maul it up but it’s ripped away by England. Farrell I think with that important play. Mitchell kicks high and too long, that’s his first misdirected box of the match.
41 mins: Fiji have the ball and Lomani hoofs a high box kick. It’s far too long and England field easily. That’s been a big difference between the two sides. Mitchell’s box kicks have been on a dime.
They’re back out. 40 minutes to go. Fiji with a huge task on their hands. Can they do it?
England have looked like a team filled with players who have knockout experience. Premiership winners and Champions Cup winners and a couple with World Cup knockout wins.
Fiji have been a touch naive. Three attacking penalties given away with two in their own half tells a story. But they have to keep attacking now given the deficit. England just need to hold them back.
Half-time: England 21-10
Oh! This he ball is over Fiji’s line! It’s from a dink over the top and the top from the tram off Daly’s boot. It’s mopped up. Not sure Daly had to kick it. England had good go-forward from the line-out. Still, that’s a pretty healthy advantage in a quarterfinal at half-time.
39 mins: An English fumble at the restart gives Fiji the scrum feed inside the 22. They get a good shove on but it’s messy for Lomani at the back. Habosi carries but Itoje puts a huge hit in. Earl gets over the ball and wins a penalty. England’s fetchers have bossed their area of the pitch.
Penalty! England 21-10 Fiji (Farrell, 38)
England are fading over the horizon. They’ve been clinical. Fiji have not. The scoreline is a fair reflection of how things have gone.
36 mins: Fiji once again look to run from their own half and England pick them off. Radradra collects a long pass that feels pointless even before he catches it. England get over the ball and win a penalty. Farrell with another shot from the right.
35 mins: Mitchell kicks a great touch finder. He’s been fantastic, hasn’t he? Having another great game. He hoists another high kick that’s well contested but it’s knocked-on by and England hand. Scrum for Fiji on their own patch.
Penalty! England 18-10 Fiji (Farrell, 33)
Simple as. England stretch their lead with a clean strike of the ball from right of the poles.
31 mins: Now England’s chance to roar. They get the ball back holding up the maul. Fiji a little naive there. They’d have been better served getting the ball out of the line-out and clearing it away. Now they must defend a scrum in the own half. Now they’ve given away a scrum penalty in their own half. Feels like one step forward, two steps backwards for the Fijians. Farrell to line up the shot.
30 mins: End to end. England attack now off another slick line-out. Itoje is clattered in the tackle and then Lawes is driven out of touch. Fiji have upped their mongrel and a huge roar is delivered from the crowd! What thrilling stuff. Three men bashed Lawes. Fiji with the ball now.
TRY! England 15-10 Fiji (Mata, 28)
That’s Fijian rugby! An audacious dummy from Botia, he shaped to play through his legs but held on before Mata scooped up a low ball and cantered over and under the poles. Fiji were building. It wasn’t cohesive but it was thrilling. Spilled balls were gathered or went backwards and in the end the Fijians got their first try of the game. And a man down.
More good news. The yellow card won’t be upgraded to a red.
Updated
25 mins: Fiji lose the ball off their own line-out but they get another chance after Mitchell hoofs a kick straight out. This time Fiji go short at the line-out and it works. They get over the gainline and win a penalty on the ground. Lomani is asked to add three more the score from about 30 metres but he once again hooks it. That’s six points missed now from the tee.
Yellow card! Fiji (Habosi, 23)
Insult to injury. In the build up the Fijian wing clattered Marcus Smith’s head with his own. Clear red and it’ll go to the bunker.
TRY! England 15-3 Fiji (Marchant, 23)
Marchant is over! A great finish after stepping off his left foot and wriggling past a tackler close to the line. That came off the back of 10 phases of rumbling short carries followed by a spreading wide ball from Farrell. Great rugby from England. Farrell adds the extras.
Updated
21 mins: A slick exit from Fiji after the restart shows they can do the basics well. Farrell, though, gets England up field with a slick short pass to Marchant on the angle. England looking sharp. Into the 22 with an advantage.
Updated
Penalty! England 8-3 Fijie (Lomani, 20)
No problem this time. An easy swing of the boot gets Fiji on the board.
19 mins: Itoje with a steal! Not on the ground but in the air as he intercepts and canters up field. Off he goes, it takes a lunging tackle to bring him down. They’re going upstairs for something. Currry might be in trouble for cutting down Tuisova’s knees. Penalty for Fiji back up the field. That was before Itoje’s gallop. Lomani will line up another shot.
19 mins: Lomani misses! Just hooked it too much. Off the post.
16 mins: Fiji have the chance to play but Lomani kicks high and Smith fields well. A counter ruck has Fiji over the ball again. That’s more like it. They go left with Botitu attacking the line. There’s a penalty – Tuilagi offside I think – and Lomani will line-up a shot well within his range to the right of the poles.
Updated
TRY! England 8-0 Fiji (Tuilagi, 14)
Immense strength from the big man. That is what he does. He gets front foot ball thanks to a driving maul but that was an almighty finish in the corner. Two tacklers near him, one bumped off as if he wasn’t there, and a spinning finish over the line. England deserve that.
Farrell can’t add the extras after hitting the post.
Updated
12 mins: Another penalty against Fiji. It’s for blocking the chaser from a Mitchell box kick. It’s a soft penalty to give away. Fiji need to clean up their act. England get the maul rolling after the line-out.
Penalty: England 3-0 Fiji (Farrell, 10)
England get close after good work from the line-out. Tuilagi and then May rumble forward with meaty carries. Fiji scramble but there’s a hight ackle from Tuisova on Tuilagi and Farrell slots an easy three.
9 mins: Radradra bumps Smith in the tackle! What a charge, but the little fullback stood his ground and came back again. That gets the crowd going before Lawes stoops low to steal a penalty for England.
8 mins: England get a free-kick from the scrum and tap and go through Mitchell. Tuilagi is isolated down the line and Habosi gets over the ball and wins a penalty. Botitu nudges it up field.
7 mins: Mawi punches a hole around the fringe before a show and go from Tuisova gets him over the line. A hopeful pass ends with a knock-on. Might have been better served holding on.
6 mins: A chance to breathe after Botitu hoists a nothing kick that is safely marked by Smith. Good start. Both teams fizzing.
5 mins: Mata pinches the ball. How’s he done that? Scrappy in the maul from England. A mighty kick pins England back in their own 22. George has to feed the set piece with his own try line in sight.
That was Farrell who monstered Botia, by the way. A statement hit from the skipper.
4 mins: Fiji kick the penalty out of touch and go to the middle of the line-put. It’s slick down the line before Botia is hammered in the midfield. A kick straight out hands George the chance to throw in to the line.
3 mins: Farrell plays a dink off the boot and May recycles. Genge up to the 22. But Botia steals! What a player he is!
1 mins: Away we go. England kick off and Fiji return the kick. Tuilagi carries well. Earl with one of his own. Smith at first receiver keeps it ticking. Bright start for England with ball in hand.
As God Save the King rings out, I can’t help but wonder how every England fan must be feeling. It’s been a tricky period, I think it’s fair to say, for English rugby. And though they haven’t lit up the tournament, a semi-final spot would go down quite nicely and perhaps brush away some of the gloom. Massive game coming up.
And if they didn’t know they were in for a fight, the Fijians are getting their Cibi underway. It’s met with a deafening ‘Swing Low, Sweet, Chariot’.
This is going to be good.
Almost time. The players have made their way out of the tunnel. They all begin with a minute’s silence to for all the horrors around the world and in hope that we can all come together.
Fiji in their dazzling away strip of red and black, England in their traditional all white.
Anthems now.
Turns out Ruth doesn’t speak for all on the Isles.
“To Ruth, behave,” says Rich T “As an England fan, I first and foremost support the teams from the British Isles, and will always do so. Of course, if England are playing one of those teams, well.... roses rule.”
“To be in England at the moment, the noise and the buzz around the match doesn’t feel like a World Cup quarter-final but the players have done what they’ve needed to do.”
Ugo Monye has called on the team, and Marcus Smith in particular, to show us what they’ve got.
“Wales were awful. C’mon Fiji!”
A simple message from Ruth, a dispirited Welsh fan with a new crush. I reckon she’s speaking for many.
England have shown plenty of spirit and grit so far. They’ll need more than that through the knockouts. Some style and flair and finesse would go a long way. Ben Earl has promised that the team will go searching for and fine all three.
Are you surprised by Fiji’s extra zip and zeal? You shouldn’t be. As Michael Aylwin delves into the rise of the Drua, Fiji’s swashbuckling side in Super Rugby. No longer a talent factory for foreign clubs, the Flying Fijians are doing it for themselves.
Fiji team
80 minutes from immortality. Even reaching the last eight of the World Cup is an astounding achievement for such an under-resourced, but immensely talented side. Making the last four though, that would be something else.
They know what it means to beat England and they’ll know hoe to do it again. Intensity at the breakdown, earning the right to go wide and taking their moments. [Except England diehards], how can you not root for this group?
Fiji: Ilaisa Droasese; Vinaya Habosi, Waisea Nayacalevu (captain), Josua Tuisova, Semi Radradra; Vilimoni Botitu, Frank Lomani; Eroni Mawi, Tevita Ikanivere, Luke Tagi; Isoa Nasilasila, Albert Tuisue; Lekima Tagitagivalu, Levani Botia, Viliame Mata
Replacements: Samuel Matavesi, Peni Ravai, Mesake Doge, Meli Derenalagi, Vilive Miramira, Simione Kuruvoli, Iosefo Masi, Sireli Maqala
Flying Fijians named for quarterfinal 👊🇫🇯#duavataveilomanirakavi#FIJIWaterFlyingFijians#RWC2023 pic.twitter.com/Bwh0rtD2jY
— Fiji Rugby Union (@fijirugby) October 13, 2023
England team
This is it. The most important team selection of Steve Borthwick’s tenure.
Marcus Smith starts at 15 with George Ford dropping to the bench.
A few veterans like Manu Tuilagi and Eliot Daly get one more and perhaps final crack at the big prize. Of course much will depend on the big units up front and on paper at least it looks a capable pack.
England: Marcus Smith; Jonny May, Joe Marchant, Manu Tuilagi, Elliot Daly; Owen Farrell (captain), Alex Mitchell; Ellis Genge, Jamie George, Dan Cole; Maro Itoje, Ollie Chessum; Courtney Lawes, Tom Curry, Ben Earl
Replacements: Theo Dan, Joe Marler, Kyle Sinckler, George Martin, Billy Vunipola, Danny Care, George Ford, Ollie Lawrence
Need a reminder of our team to face Fiji today? 🤔
— England Rugby (@EnglandRugby) October 15, 2023
Here you go!📋#ENGvFIJ | #RWC2023 pic.twitter.com/GeKB5zQFoZ
Preamble
Who’d have thought that we’d all wake up on Sunday with Steve Borthwick’s England carrying the hopes of northern hemisphere rugby?
France are still favourites to topple South Africa in Paris later on, but with Wales and Ireland both dumped out of the tournament last night, it’s the men with red roses on their chests who must now carry the Six Nations flag.
As if they didn’t have enough to worry about. This is hardly a vintage England side. They’ve been stodgy for some time, which is putting it mildly, and have limped to the knockouts after uninspiring pool stage performances. Still, they’re unbeaten in the competition and will kick-off against Fiji as the higher ranked side on World Rugby’s charts. Surely, surely, they’ll come out on top. Right?
Of course, the last time they squared up to the Flying Fijians they were outclassed in a 22-30 defeat at Twickenham. That felt like a new low for a team that was spluttering long before the pragmatic Borthwick arrived, but defeat this afternoon on France’s south coast would plumb new depths. Despite their form and the weight of crushing pressure on their backs, England must go into this contest with their chests out and heads held high.
Any weakness will be exploited by Fiji’s frenetic fetchers at the breakdown and their blistering runners out wide, though the Pacific Islanders aren’t exactly purring themselves. Their titanic duels with Wales and Australia – which ended in gallant defeat and bewildering joy, respectively – feel like distant memories. They were poor against Georgia and even worse against Portugal. Were it not for a dreadful Wallabies outfit, their two defeats would have consigned them to an early exit.
So the stage is set for two teams with a golden opportunity to reach the semi-finals. Do either deserve it? Perhaps not. But this is a World Cup and you don’t always get what you deserve, only what you take. Which side will reach out and grab what’s theirs?
Kick-off at 4pm BST/5pm local time.
Teams and other bits to follow.
