England extend winning run to 26 with Fiji rout
SIMON MIDDLETON admitted red-hot World Cup favourites England had suffered from nerves after they overcame a slow start to seal a record win over Fiji at Eden Park.
That there was apprehension in the ranks was surprising given they were facing a team playing in their first global tournament. This was just the seventh Test Fiji had played. England captain Sarah Hunter has played 16 times that number on her own. Eventually the gulf in experience and ability told.
England head coach Middleton saw his side cross for a mammoth 14 tries. Wing Claudia MacDonald scored four and Amy Cokayne and Lydia Thompson added braces.
England’s power and conditioning told. This was their 26th straight win and the most points and tries they have scored in a World Cup game.
‘Fiji really rattled us in the first half,’ said Middleton. ‘We looked really nervous and that’s understandable because it’s the biggest stage. I’m pleased we got composed and we’re just pleased to get the win. I’m happy, particularly with the second half.’
Women’s rugby is still in its infancy in Fiji and the Pacific Island nation would run out of puff. England scored 10 tries in the second half.
But in the first, England were nowhere near their best and shipped two scores by Alowesi Nakoci and
Sesenieli Donu. England efforts came from MacDonald, Cokayne, Abbie Ward and Helena Rowland.
Fiji went for broke and made seven line breaks in the first 40 minutes even after losing Sereima Leweniqila to a yellow card for illegally trying to stop Ward from crossing. England made mistakes but in the second half their setpiece power told and the floodgates opened. Zoe Aldcroft, Abby Dow, Leanne Infante and Connie Powell completed the rout.
‘We were more composed in the second half and had more control. I’d like to think we went back to being England,’ said Hunter.
Fiji scrum-half Lavena Cavuru grabbed a consolation.
Hunter added: ‘We tried to be Fiji against Fiji and that’s not us. It was one of the toughest first halves we’ve had in a while and it threw up challenges we’ve never seen.
‘It’s natural to be nervous going into a World Cup. It’s great to get that out of the way and look ahead to France.’