As the weary England players dragged themselves round the pitch for a lap of honour after this epic quarter-final, the stadium DJ played ‘I’m Still Standing’ by Elton John.
Not for the first time in this World Cup, the choice of post-match tunes was extremely appropriate. The lyrics neatly summed up a crazy match and the preceding couple of months. ‘And did you think this fool could never win. Well look at me, I’m coming back again.’ Then on the chorus: ‘I’m still standing better than I ever did. Looking like a true survivor…’
This ended up becoming a survival exercise. England had to cling on, as Fiji scored two last-quarter tries to turn a procession into a tense, close encounter. But cling on they did.
Steve Borthwick‘s side survived a huge scare to make it five wins out of five at this tournament, reach the last four and leave themselves two games from glory, as the last home nation standing in France. They were gallant, committed and calmly problem-solved when the tide turned against them. It was all far removed from the bleak outlook after these teams last met.
Owen Farrell‘s late drop goal and penalty clinched a nervy but successful return to the arena where the national team launched their campaign here with a thumping win over Argentina. Since then, they dispatched Japan, thrashed Chile and edged out Samoa, before this fifth victory for England – who just about stopped lightning striking twice after their shock defeat against Fiji in late August.
England beat Fiji 30-24 to progress to the Rugby World cup semi-finals where they will face either South Africa or France
Captain Owen Farrell was one of England’s stars as he kicked 20 points against Fiji
Fiji were dejected at full-time as they fell agonisingly short of producing a sensational comeback
England head coach Steve Borthwick has guided his side to a Rugby World Cup semi-final on his first time in the tournament
There appeared to be trouble written all over this fixture, against opponents blessed with an array of brilliant individuals and the belief that they could trump their richer rivals. But England were largely in command until all hell broke loose in the final quarter, when a 14-point lead was lost in a hurry, as Fiji claimed two tries, before a semblance of control was restored and Farrell and Co hung on.
Knowing that it was win or bust, this was a day when several players rose to the grand occasion, not least Maro Itoje and Courtney Lawes – who were as influential as they had been in this southern city five weeks earlier. As the game wore on, Ben Earl asserted himself in defence and attack; with a stunning late break and a hand – literally – in a turnover penalty to finally see his team home. And Ellis Genge weighed in with some of his trademark rampaging carries.
The Sweet Chariot will now rumble on to Paris, for a semi-final on Saturday night against South Africa. The title holders will not lose much sleep about taking on an England team who still appear to be a long way short of their exalted level, but Borthwick will spend a week in the capital city meticulously planning an ambush, using all of his renowned attention to detail.
In a one-off contest, the head coach will try to convince his players that they are capable of shocking their way into the final. To have any chance of doing so, as a minimum, they will need a repeat of the muscular performance under pressure that they delivered here. Fiji are a massive side and hurled the proverbial kitchen sink around, but were met by staunch resistance at the breakdown and on the gainline, at least until the chaotic closing stages.
There had been so much focus in the build-up on the inclusion of Farrell at fly-half in place of George Ford and the England fans in the stands made their feelings known by loudly booing when the captain’s name was read out. But he contributed in full to a spirited defensive effort in the face of a savage blitz and there weren’t too many boos when the game was won via his boot. Just for good measure, he was named Man of the Match.
This result means that England have lived up to pre-tournament expectations and averts the threat of a messy inquest. Their continued progress in the weaker half of the draw is bound to aggravate Irish fans still coming to terms with their team’s demise at the hands of New Zealand, but there is nothing weak about what lies ahead now.
After an early Farrell penalty, Borthwick’s side had their first try. From an attacking lineout on the left and a strong pack drive, Manu Tuilagi surged to the left corner and twisted past a tackle to score.
A Frank Lomani penalty put Fiji on the board as they began to weaponise their remarkable physical presence, but back came England to claim their second try in fine style.
Manu Tuilagi drove over the line to score England’s first try of the afternoon in Marseille
Joe Marchant increased England’s lead as he broke FIji’s resolve to score England’s second try
A raid down the left saw Elliot Daly go clear, before Marcus Smith was hurt by a clash of heads with Habosi – which earned the Fiji winger a yellow card. Genge and Lawes made dents in the 22 before Joe Marchant skipped past a flailing defender to touch down. Farrell’s conversion made it 15-3.
But the underdogs would not go quietly. They struck again, while down to 14 men. After a series of sledgehammer carries cracked open the Red Rose defence, Josua Tuisova blasted through and from a ruck, Viliame Mata burst clear to score. Lomani converted.
Farrell scored a key penalty at the end of the game to take the match away from Fiji
England had to withstand savage punishment. Just after the half-hour, Itoje was smashed back in a tackle and, seconds later, Lawes was dumped into touch. But they coped well with the onslaught and pulled further ahead through two more Farrell penalties, to make it 21-10.
Following another Farrell penalty after the break, England appeared to be fully in control. It turned out they weren’t. In the 64th minute, Peni Ravai crashed over and Simione Kuruvoli converted to make it a one-score game again.
High drama turned into a crisis for England four minutes later when a midfield break-out led to a try for Vilimoni Botitu and Kuruvoli’s extras levelled the scores at 24-24. But England kept their heads, battered forward to set up Farrell’s drop goal and earned another penalty which the skipper struck.
Fiji raged against the dying of the light until England finally shut them down once and for all with 85 minutes on the clock. The victors will now go to Paris carrying with them echoes of 2007, when their written-off predecessors somehow reached the final. Just imagine a repeat of that.
All hell broke loose in the final quarter as Peni Ravai crashed over in the 64th minute
Fiji’s Vilimoni Botitu set-up a tense finish to the encounter after surging over the try line late to level the game
Fiji’s Simione Kuruvoli scored crucial conversions but also missed some vital kicks for his side
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