Red Roses defeat Fiji in World Cup opener
The Red Roses started their 2021 Rugby World Cup campaign with a bonus-point 84-19 win over Fiji at Eden Park.
In their Pool C opener in Auckland, England ran in 14 tries in their first ever meeting with Fiji to extend their record-breaking run of Test wins to 26 in a row.
In overcast, mild but dry conditions in New Zealand, England took the lead inside five minutes when Claudia MacDonald hit an excellent line down the blindside off the back of a driving maul to stroll in.
A lineout driving maul was the source of the next try, Amy Cokayne starting and finishing a powerful forward effort from six metres out, before Abbie Ward grabbed England’s third on 27 minutes when some tight pick and drives saw the lock go over – Emily Scarratt slotted her first conversion of the day from the tee.
Fiji got their first ever points at a Rugby World Cup after a break from inside their own half saw the ball spun to wing Alowesi Nakoci, who raced in to a delighted home crowd.
In the face of a hard-hitting and physical Fijian defence, England got their bonus-point score after Sadia Kabeya hit a superb line on the halfway line, and as she was tackled five metres out she freed her arms to feed Helena Rowland to walk in – Scarratt added two more points with the conversion.
That was not the last of the scoring in the first half after some excellent individual play by Sesenieli Donu, who broke England’s defence and handed off challenges to cross the line. With Lavena Cavuru converting both of Fiji’s tries, the score sat 24-14 at the break.
England's fifth came just two minutes into the second half, Amy Cokayne again starting and finishing a lineout maul to mark her 27th try in 65 Tests.
World Rugby player of the year Zoe Aldcroft was next on the scoresheet as the lock finished off some smart handling play with a dummy that saw a gap appear for her to dot down under the sticks, with Scarratt converting.
Lydia Thompson was next to cross after a break from MacDonald, who was brought down a couple of metres short of the line. Fellow wing Thompson picked up off the back of the resultant ruck to dive over. Just a few minutes later Thompson grabbed her second, this time beating three defenders down the right wing to cross.
The 54th minute saw the introduction of wing Abby Dow, playing her first game in five-and-a-half months in a remarkable turnaround from breaking her leg in a TikTok Women’s Six Nations game against Wales in April. She produced a typical brilliant finish just a few minutes later, sidestepping two defenders in barely any space and then sprinting in down the right.
MacDonald’s second came just before Dow’s score after from some smart handling by Ward and Scarratt to finish on the left wing, before Leanne Infante’s interception off the back of a Fiji lineout close to their own line secured England’s 11th try.
Exeter wing MacDonald grabbed her hat-trick off the back of a dominating driving maul. The ball was spun back to Zoe Harrison whose crossfield kick found the number 11 unmarked and she had the simplest of tasks to finish.
England’s driving maul was again too much for Fiji’s pack as Connie Powell crossed for her third try in six caps, before MacDonald’s fourth was arguably the try of the day. Picking the ball up inside her own half, she slalomed through a number of defenders to go over and Zoe Harrison’s conversion took England to 84 points.
Fiji got a consolation score with the final play after some smart play from their scrum half Cavuru close to the line, but it would not detract from an impressive afternoon for the Red Roses.
With three games played at Eden Park on the opening day of the tournament, England were the second match of three matches that sold out all the seats available.
England extend their World Record Test wins in a row to 26, having not been defeated since July 2019 when they lost to New Zealand in San Diego, and will look to continue their record of reaching the semi-final in each Rugby World Cup.
Simon Middleton’s side face France, who beat South Africa in their opener, in their second pool game on Saturday, 15 October (KO 0800 BST) followed by South Africa on Saturday, 22 October (KO 0545 BST).
TEAMS
Red Roses
15. Ellie Kildunne, 14. Lydia Thompson, 13. Emily Scarratt, 12. Helena Rowland, 11. Claudia MacDonald, 10. Zoe Harrison, 9. Leanne Infante, 1. Vickii Cornborough, 2. Amy Cokayne, 3. Sarah Bern, 4. Zoe Aldcroft, 5. Abbie Ward , 6. Alex Matthews, 7. Sadia Kabeya, 8. Sarah Hunter.
Finishers
16. Connie Powell, 17. Hannah Botterman, 18. Maud Muir, 19. Cath O'Donnell, 20. Poppy Cleall, 21. Lucy Packer, 22. Holly Aitchison, 23. Abby Dow.
Fiji
15. Roela Radiniyavuni, 14. Alowesi Nakoci, 13. Rajieli Laqeretabua, 12. Sesenieli Donu, 11. Vitalina Naikore, 10. Merewalesi Rokouono, 9. Lavena Cavuru, 1. Iris Verebalavu, 2. Vika Maturugu, 3. Siteri Rasolea, 4. Asinate Serevi, 5. Sereima Leweniqila (C), 6. Sulita Waisega, 7. Ema Adivitaloga, 8. Karalaini Naisewa.
Replacements
16. Bitila Tawake, 17. Bulou Vasuturaga, 18. Mereoni Vonosere, 19. Merevesi Ofakimalino, 20. Raijieli Daveua, 21. Akosita Ravato, 22. Ana Maria Roqica, 23. Melaia Matanatabu.
Rugby World Cup fixtures and results
Red Roses 84-19 Fiji
Red Roses v France: Saturday 15 October - KO 0800 BST
Red Roses v South Africa: Sunday 23 October - KO 0545 BST
