England’s men venture north to play international rugby union so infrequently that their Nations Championship fixture against Fiji is a newsflash in itself. It is more than a decade since the north-west last staged a union Test and approaching 30 years since the England coaches Steve Borthwick and Richard Wigglesworth, among others, had their youthful sporting ambitions sparked by watching England at Old Trafford and Huddersfield respectively in the late 1990s.
So even in the dog days of July, with temperatures nudging 30 degrees Celsius and Merseyside feeling more akin to the Med, this particular game is significant even before England’s recent five-game losing streak is layered on. Get it right and Borthwick can head to Argentina for the final leg of this summer’s magic mystery tour with some pressure relieved. Get it wrong at Hill Dickinson Stadium and a hard day’s night looms.
Borthwick under pressure after five straight defeats
History certainly suggests Borthwick can ill afford another defeat. The last time England lost six Tests in succession was in 2006, a sequence which ended up costing Andy Robinson his job, and the public are increasingly restless. Their primary beef is not so much England’s recent failure to win as the perception the talent available is not being complemented by the tactics and systems under which they are operating.
Going 17-0 down to South Africa in Johannesburg inside the first 12 minutes did little to shift that narrative and Jamie George, England’s captain in the absence of the rested Maro Itoje, has admitted the squad are not immune to the mounting frustration on social media and elsewhere. “It’s very hard to block out noise from elsewhere,” said George. “I am aware of, and can resonate with, the fans’ frustration around the performances and results we have had over this period of time. We need to make sure we keep believing in what we’re doing and stay tight. We’ve had some really good conversations around where we’re at and where we need to be.”
George calls for physical edge and discipline
The other main themes from George – this week, sadly, England are without a John, a Paul and a Ringo – are that his side’s discipline needs to improve sharply and that the future will look much rosier if they enjoy more aerial success and make the physical dents that will give their backs crucial attacking momentum. “The senior players have said we need to bring more of a physical edge,” stressed England’s hooker. “That’s probably something that was made obvious to us in South Africa. When we’re at our best we play on the edge, we play with a physicality. That’s been the main focus for us this week. When we get that right, we put teams under pressure.
“Yes, the first 15 minutes [against South Africa] wasn’t good enough. Yes, the final 10 minutes wasn’t good enough. But I’d be excited about the middle bit against the best team in the world away from home. That period put them under a lot of pressure. I understand that rugby is an 80-minute game but, equally, I think there is a lot to come from the team. I think you are going to see a big improvement this weekend and then an even bigger improvement against Argentina.”
Fiji reeling from defeat to Wales
It may or may not help that Fiji, nominally the home side, are on the rebound from a 39-24 loss to Wales in Cardiff that precipitated stern words from the Fiji Rugby Union chair John Sanday, who urged the management and players to “look at themselves in the mirror” and to take their responsibilities more seriously. As Sanday told the Fiji Sun: “This is not a picnic trip where one just goes through the motions, gets paid and then repeats it next week.”
Not everyone is convinced that Senirusi Seruvakula, who replaced Mick Byrne barely three months ago, is the answer as head coach but, equally, there is no doubting the explosive potential in the Fijian backline. It partially explains the balance of England’s matchday selection, the plan clearly being to maul and grind down Fiji’s forwards before releasing their game-breakers off the bench. Plenty of eyes will inevitably be drawn to Benhard van Rensburg, poised for a Test debut having just qualified for England on residency, and Henry Pollock but the high-flying Saracens wing Noah Caluori will also be a major focus of interest.
Caluori compared to Folau by captain George
While “Air Caluori” is still just 19, the verdict of his captain and Saracens’ teammate George could scarcely be more glowing. “He’s able to do things that other people aren’t physically able to do … he is a special, special talent,” stressed George, comparing the youngster favourably to the extraordinarily athletic ex-Wallaby Israel Folau. “I’ve genuinely never seen anything like it. He can be so influential on a game … it’s a thing of beauty when he gets it right. I hope people are excited about watching him play. The excitement about him should be there because we haven’t had a player like this for a very, very long time.”
Smith and backline under spotlight
The anticipated sell-out crowd of 52,000 will be equally eager to see vapour trails from England’s whole backline, with Henry Slade back at 13 and Tommy Freeman restored to his best position on the wing. Hopefully, it will permit the latter to roam more effectively with Manny Feyi-Waboso riding shotgun and Pollock materialising later on to raise the tempo even more.
This is also a big game for Marcus Smith, either misused or miscast at 15 depending on your perspective. If he spends the majority of the afternoon vainly trying to stop much bigger Fijians in his own 22 it will be a sure sign that a blue-shirted England (are you Everton in disguise?) are in difficulty. If, conversely, he can be a sharp-eyed, effective extra playmaker and creates valuable space for others then happy days. Barring a complete Mersey meltdown, England should win well and gain plenty of new friends in the north.
