Rugby World Cup: England score 14 tries as they ease past Fiji with 84-19 win

Fiji 19 - 84 England, Auckland

England started the Rugby World Cup campaign in a dominating manner as they ran a 14-try riot to annihilate Fiji with a 84-19 win in the tournament opener at Eden Park in Auckland on Saturday.

Having entered the competition as the favourites to lift the title, the red roses now have extended their winning streak to 26 games. This was also the highest points or tries scored by England in a World Cup game having scored 82 against Kazakhstan in 2010 and 13 tries against Sweden and Canada in 1998.

In a relatively competitive opening half, Fiji managed to keep England's lead to 14-24 but eventually Simon Middleton's side made a strong statement after the break in front of record audience in the competition history.

England started the game briskly with Leanne Infante passing the ball left to Claudia McDonald to dive over following a line out close to Fiji line in the fifth minute with Emily Scarratt's conversion drifting wide.

Fiji looked to respond in an attacking fashion and they thought they had their first try with Vika Maturugu speeding across in the 13th minute but were held out by England defenders. England though doubled their tally after Fiji were penalised for an offside and they decided to go for the corner with eventually Amy Cockayne diving over. Scarratt once again missed out on the conversion as they completed the opening half with a 0-10 lead.

Another powerful England maul saw Sarah Hunter sending another pass for Abbie Ward to score and shortly Fiji captain Sereima Leweniqila was sin-binned for pulling down. Scarratt managed to convert this one as they scored 17 unanswered points.

Despite down on the numerical advantage, Fiji's response came in the 29th minute as Roela Radiniyavuni breached the England defence with pace and passed it right for Alowesi Nakoci to score and Lavena Cavuru kicked the extras.

Nevertheless, England bounced back as Sadia Kabeya making her debut impressed with a break and allowed Helena Rowland to dot down before individual brilliance from Sesenieli Donu kept Fiji in the hunt as she stepped inside and sped across the line completing the opening half with a 14-24 scoreline.

England started the second half briskly with Cockayne completing her second at the back of another powerful maul and they stepped up the intensity further with Zoe Aldcroft also scoring after they worked the ball to the left of Fiji defence. Scarratt got the conversion right on the second occasion as they extended the lead to 14-43.

There was no respite whatsoever for the Pacific team as England maul once again got the better of them as this time the ball was fired for Lydia Thompson to score and the 50-point mark was breached close to the end of the third quarter as Hannah Botterman showed her brilliance in setting up MacDonald in the corner.

Abbie Dow on her comeback from a broken leg injury made a mark straightaway as she went over in the 60th minute and Scarratt's conversion made it 14-60 as England were eyeing a huge victory.

Infante too joined the scoring as she intercepted a pass from Ravato and capitalised on Fiji's mistake to touchdown and MacDonald's third try by the 69th minute meant England's lead stretched to 14-70 with 10 minutes left in the game. England ensured there was no let up in the closing stage as further tries from Connie Powell and MacDonald took their tally to 84 points before Cavuru scored a consolation try for Fiji in the final minute.

What's Next?

England will be facing France in the second round in Whangarei on 15th October while Fiji will lock horns with South Africa in Auckland on 16th October.

Team line up:

England XV: Vickii Cornborough, Amy Cokayne, Sarah Bern; Zoe Aldcroft, Abbie Ward; Alex Matthews, Sadia Kabeya, Sarah Hunter (c); Leanne Infante, Zoe Harrison; Lydia Thompson, Emily Scarratt, Helena Rowland, Claudia MacDonald; Ellie Kildunne.

Reserves: 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 XV: Iris Verebalavu, Vika Maturugu, Siteri Rasolea; Asinate Serevi, Sereima Leweniqila(c); Sulita Waisega, Ema Adivitaloga, Karalaini Naisewa; Lavena Cavuru, Merewalesi Rokouono; Alowesi Nakoci, Rajieli Laqeretabua, Sesenieli Donu, Vitalina Naikore; Roela Radiniyavuni.

Reserves: 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