Check out our England player ratings vs Fiji from the 2023 Rugby World Cup quarter-final in Marseille.
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England are through to the semi-finals of Rugby World Cup 2023 after surviving a late fightback from Fiji to win 30-24 at Stade de Marseille on Sunday.
Tries from Manu Tuilagi and Joe Marchant as well as 11 points from the boot of Owen Farrell had given England a handy 21-10 lead at half-time.
However, the Flying Fijians roared back into the game in the second half, scoring tries through Peni Ravai and Vilimoni Botitu to level things at 24-24.
In the end it was England fly-half and captain Farrell who settled things for the 2003 champions, kicking a drop goal to regain the lead before slotting a late penalty to secure victory and a place in the last four.
Scroll down for the England player ratings vs Fiji..
THE SCORERS:
ENGLAND: 30
- Tries: Manu Tuilagi (14′), Joe Marchant (23′)
- Cons: Owen Farrell (23′)
- Pens: Owen Farrell (11′, 34′, 38′, 54′, 78′)
- DGS Owen Farrell (72′)
FIJI: 24
- Tries: Viliame Mata (28′), Peni Ravai (64′), Vilimoni Botitu (68′)
- Cons: Frank Lomani (29′), Simione Kuruvoli (65′, 70′)
- Pens: Frank Lomani (20′)
GAMES STATS:
Most points: Owen Farrell – 20
Metres: Ben Earl – 99
Defenders beaten: Ben Earl – 7
Tackles: Tom Curry – 19
Tackles missed: Maro Itoje – 4
Turnovers won: Maro Itoje – 1
England player ratings vs Fiji:
1 Ellis Genge – 6
Took a while to impose his physicality, after being sat backwards in a tackle by a whooping Fiji carry. Hard worker in the break-down, as England utilised the counter-rucks excellently. Penalised for dissent after a heated altercation saw him slapped on the chin, with tempers flaring over in the quarter-final. Carried hard and tackled for the hour. (Off – Joe Marler 60 minutes)
2 Jamie George – 7
A key instigator in the verbal battle, George was pictured laughing at his opposite man in the scrum and goading a reaction. His first line-out was squandered, but proceeded to send darts to hands as England improved their set-piece from the second attempt and onwards. The set-piece improved and George’s fitness was well presented in the full 80-minute run-out. Huge shift from the hooker.
3 Dan Cole – 6
Physical battle veteran, Cole let his knowledge of the scrum prevail and used his old-school style to get the upper hand of his opponents in the break-down. The scrum was a steady match, yet England were 30kg lighter, and held their own well, with Dan Cole a key pillar. (Off – Kyle Sinckler 59 minutes)
4 Maro Itoje – 8.5
His best match for a very long time. Itoje looks like he is hitting top gear, as he did in time for the 2019 Rugby World Cup Final. Good vocal opening set-pieces, with a leadership role in the line-outs. Took centre stage with a thrilling carry from an intercept, and fended a tackler away. Excellent chop tackles, but was levelled by a double hit as the match became a physical showdown of dominance. Brilliant turnovers and leading by example, Itoje was back to his elite best.
5 Ollie Chessum – 6.5
Tackled hard throughout the contest, and will wake up with sore shoulders tomorrow. Not the starring role which he had throughout the pool stages, as Itoje’s resurgence of form took the spotlight in the second row. Ever present in defence, racking up the tackles as England built a brick wall. Put his body on the line and never failed to slow down the physical Fijian ball carriers. (Off – George Martin 69 minutes)
6 Courtney Lawes – 8.5
Simply epic. Lawes had one of the games of his life on Borthwick’s blindside flank. Lawes flew into tackles from kick off, as England’s line-speed was something to marvel at. He was dumped into touch by a trio of Fijian defenders, yet bounced back to steal the ball multiple times at the breakdown. A huge 48th minute turnover halted a flying Fijian attack, as did his effort on the 58th minute, with the Pacific Islanders battling hard to fight back. Constantly offering an option in attack, Lawes was sublime today.
7 Tom Curry – 6
Today’s ‘bad boy’ who was lucky to stay on the pitch. His reunion with referee Mathieu Raynal lasted longer than his two minute cameo against Argentina, as Curry remained on the pitch despite some chopsy moments. Under TMO review for a no arms tackle and disrupting the breakdown, Curry made an enemy out of Botia, but made up in a nice showing of sportsmanship. Performance wise, Curry was strong in defence with his customary hits and was a key instigator in England’s success at the breakdown turnovers.