Fiji’s head coach, Simon Raiwalui, believes the balance of power in world rugby is shifting fundamentally after his side’s history-making win at Twickenham. England’s 30-22 defeat could see them drop to their lowest world ranking of ninth next week, with Fiji now certain to be ranked above them going into next month’s Rugby World Cup.
As with his opposite number, Steve Borthwick, the 48-year-old Raiwalui is an ex-Saracens forward who was parachuted in as his country’s head coach this year. The similarities presently end there with Fiji steadily growing in strength and confidence while England have now lost six of their nine Tests under Borthwick this year.
“The gap is closing, which is good for rugby in general,” said Raiwalui. “It’s been really good to watch the progression of teams who have traditionally struggled. There’s been more of a level playing field in terms of preparation. We’ve been together for seven or eight weeks and you see the benefits. It’s going to be the closest World Cup we’ve seen.”
Raiwalui, whose side will be in Wales’s pool next month, said he was surprised no further action was taken after a head‑on‑head collision in the second half between Joe Marler and Albert Tuisue. “During the game we thought it was clear head contact,” said Raiwalui. “I thought it was a clear shot to the head. Referees have the toughest job in the world but all you want as a coach is consistency.”
Borthwick acknowledged his side had slipped off too many tackles and that Fiji had deserved to win. “We’re bitterly disappointed,” the England coach said. “If you miss that many tackles against a team like Fiji they are going to score tries. We knew they were a dangerous side before the game.
“I think they’ll do very well at the Rugby World Cup and potentially we may meet them again in a few weeks time. This isn’t the result that we wanted. But the focus is to make sure we put in the performance we need against Argentina.”
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Ben Earl described the mood in the home dressing room as “low” after a defeat that ranks among English rugby’s bleakest moments. “We know that performance wasn’t good enough and we made too many individual and collective errors,” the back-rower said. “Fair play to Fiji for capitalising.
“We just have to look forward to what’s coming up and get excited about playing in the biggest tournament.
“It’s pretty low but it can only go up from here. Everyone will write us off, that we don’t have a chance of winning two weeks today, never mind going deep into the tournament. We’re excited about proving people wrong.”
