England Gears Up for World Cup Quarter-Final Rematch with Fiji

Last updated on October 11, 2023, in the Rugby Union section

Jamie George, the hooker for the England rugby team, has expressed confidence in their improvement since their shocking defeat to Fiji in August as they prepare for a crucial World Cup quarter-final rematch. The loss to the Pacific Island nation was England’s first-ever defeat against Fiji, occurring in their final warm-up match leading to the World Cup. The memory of Fiji “running riot” at Twickenham still stings, but England is determined to set things right.

George emphasized the importance of not dismissing the past defeat and acknowledged the team’s progress since then. He mentioned that England’s defense coach, Kevin Sinfield, has been diligent in reminding the players about their shortcomings and even showing them clips of the previous game. George shared, “It hurts watching us defend like that and letting Fiji run riot at Twickenham.” In their previous encounter, England seemed passive, waiting for Fiji to make the first move. George stressed that this passive approach would not work this time, and they owe Fiji a strong performance.

England’s defeat by Fiji was their fifth loss in six tests under the leadership of coach Steve Borthwick before heading into the tournament. However, their campaign in Pool D during the World Cup got off to a strong start with a win against Argentina. England secured their place in the quarter-finals as group winners, winning all four of their pool games.

Despite their success in the pool stage, England had a close call in their last match against Samoa, coming from behind to secure a victory. George described the performance as “flat” and expressed his concern about the team’s energy levels during that game.

Reflecting on their journey so far, George highlighted the significance of the build-up to the Argentina match. He noted that after their disappointing loss to Fiji, the team’s energy and defense improved significantly. Although their attack wasn’t flawless, there was a noticeable difference. George mentioned that their preparations for the upcoming match against Fiji have a similar feel to that crucial week.

George concluded by stating, “There are clear things for us to go after, and on top of that you have the Fiji game at Twickenham and that little bit of hurt and fear that we can’t perform like that again. It is fuel to the fire.”

As England readies itself for the quarter-final showdown against Fiji, they are determined to learn from their past mistakes and ensure a much stronger performance this time.

In the Fiji camp, there are concerns about hooker Sam Matavesi’s participation in the quarter-final after he returned to England due to the death of his father. This is the second family bereavement to impact the Fiji squad during the World Cup, as Josua Tuisova lost his seven-year-old son, Tito. Tuisova chose to remain with the team and missed his son’s funeral in an effort to help them reach the knockout stages.

Fiji’s kicking coach, Seremaia Bai, highlighted the strong sense of family within the squad and the emotional toll of being away from their families for an extended period during the World Cup campaign. Matavesi is expected to be given time to grieve and make a decision about his return to the squad.

The upcoming World Cup quarter-final between England and Fiji promises to be a gripping encounter as both teams strive to secure a spot in the semi-finals.